Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. Revelation 1:3 NIV
Welcome, welcome, I’m so glad you’re here. This is week 3 in our study of Revelation.
I’m in the AMP this week but may also use some more NIV this time. You can find both at biblegateway.com.
Let’s pray that we might notice and hear and realize what our Lord and Savior is trying to communicate. Because it’s not that He isn’t, it’s that our ears are hard of hearing.
Let’s pray.
Blessed are you, Lord Jesus, and we through You are too. Thank You for this revelation, this lesson, this time and these words. Take this time, Lord, to lead me and write the lesson You want written. I’m counting on You. I want to bring You glory. Please lead. For you are everything we need. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Read Revelation 3:1-6
Message to Sardis
“These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know…’ ”
Footnote:
Revelation 3:1 Sardis (modern Sart, Turkey), in Roman times, was a wealthy city known for the manufacture and dyeing of woolen fabric and carpets. Originally, it was the capital of the ancient Lydian Empire and was the first city to mint coinage (600 b.c.). A stream that flowed through its market place carried gold dust from a nearby mountain. King Croesus of Lydia (560-546 b.c.) financed the building of the great Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (550 b.c.). The city was conquered twice, under Cyrus the Great and under Antiochus, due to lack of adequate watchfulness.
He has the seven Spirits of God, He Knows everything you do, think, have, behave, dream, and all the rest too.
Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me]… for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements.
So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin].
1 Peter 1:6-7
In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
He who overcomes will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine].
1 John 5:5
Who is the one who is victorious and overcomes the world? It is the one who believes and recognizes the fact that Jesus is the Son of God.
Glory and Praise be His holy name.
Read Revelation 3:7-13
Message to Philadelphia
“These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key [to the house] of David, He who opens and no one will [be able to] shut, and He who shuts and no one opens:‘I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name.’”
Footnote:
Philadelphia (modern Alashehir, Turkey) was a commercial center located on elevated ground overlooking the fertile plain of the Hermus (Gediz) River. In 189 b.c. the king of Pergamum established Philadelphia and named the city to honor his brother.
“I will… make them know [without any doubt] that I have loved you.”
“Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith]. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name.”
Footnote:
Like the common phrase “pillar of the community,” this is a metaphor of great honor, but far more so. The statement that the one who overcomes will never leave the temple is assurance that he will never lose the privilege of being in the presence of God and serving Him.
“I am coming quickly.Hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Read Revelation 3:14-22
Message to Laodicea
Footnote:
Laodicea, located beside the Lycus River, was a prosperous city about forty miles south of Philadelphia. It had a well-respected financial center, thriving textile production industry (specializing in black wool), and a leading medical school that produced a famous eye salve. Two other cities were in this general area: Colossae, known for its mountain spring of cold, fresh water; and Hierapolis, a site famous for its hot, therapeutic mineral springs.
“These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:‘I know your deeds… So because you are spiritually useless, and neither hot nor cold, I will reject you with disgust.’”
“Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].”
“Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.”
“He who overcomes, I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.”
I’ve compiled a list of all the rewards for overcoming, you can find and download it here.
Because your faith is worth far more than gold which perishes. 1 Peter 1:6-7 Great things are ahead for we who keep our faith and trust in Him, obeying Him. Your faith is supremely important.