1 ① Write this to the angel of the Church in Sardis, “Thus says he who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:
I know your worth: you think you live, but you are dead. 2Wake up, and strengthen that which is not already dead. For I have found your works to be imperfect in the sight of my God. 3Remember what you were taught; keep it, and change your ways. If you do not repent, I will come upon you like a thief, at an hour you least expect.
4Yet, there are some left in Sardis who have not soiled their robes; these will come with me, dressed in white, since they deserve it. 5The victor will be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life; instead, I will acknowledge it before my Father and his angels.
6Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches.”
7 ② Write this to the angel of the Church in Philadelphia, “Thus says he who is holy and true, who holds the key of David; if he opens, no body shuts, and if he shuts, nobody opens.
8I know your worth; I have opened a door before you, which nobody can close, because you have kept my Word, and not renounced me in spite of your lack of power. 9I am giving you some of the synagogue of Satan, who call themselves Jews, but they are only liars. I will make them fall at your feet, and recognize that I have loved you.
10Because you have kept my words with patient endurance, I, for my part, will keep you safe in the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world, to test the people of the earth. 11I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, lest anyone take your crown.
12I will make the victor into a column, in the sanctuary of my God where he will stay forever. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God in heaven, and my own new name. 13Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches.”
14 ③ Write this to the angel of the Church in Laodicea, “Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation:
15I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! 16You are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, so I will spit you out of my mouth. 17You think you are rich and have piled up so much that you need nothing, but you do not realize that you are wretched, and to be pitied; poor, blind and naked. 18I advise you to buy from me gold that has been tested by fire, so that you may be rich, and white clothes to wear, so that your nakedness may not shame you; and ointment for your eyes, that you may see. 19I reprimand and correct all those I love. Be earnest, and change your ways.
20Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my call and open the door, I will come in to you and have supper with you, and you with me. 21I will let the victor sit with me, on my throne, just as I was victorious, and took my place with my Father on his throne. 22Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches.”
- Rev 3,1 This is a brief message to a dying church. The universal Church has been promised that it will remain. Yet an individual church can disappear. To be dressed in white means inner life: being clothed with Christ (see Eph 4:24). Throughout the book of Revelation, white means joy, strength, victory and eternal glory. Rev 3,7 This is a message of consolation and optimism for those who work faithfully with the Holy Spirit, but who are troubled by the thousand difficulties of their ministry. The one who holds the key of David (see Is 22:22). Christ has absolute power over the house of David, namely, his people. He prepares a fruitful ministry for those who were able to persevere in hard times when the fruits of their labors were not seen. I have opened a door before you (v. 8) means: I have prepared a successful ministry. There is one condition: keeping the Word of God and being faithful to him. Rev 3,14 You are neither cold nor hot. Neither unbelievers who remain cold toward a faith they do not share, nor believers who take God's love seriously and show authentic surrender. We can easily imagine this community of nice, comfortable people. They were one more religious group, but not witnesses of Christ the victor. Laodicea had hot and cold thermal waters. It was also in that city that an eyewash famous for improving eyesight was made. Amen means: it is true, or also: I commit myself this way. Christ is the Father's Amen. His commitment to us is the fulfillment of God's promises (see 2 Cor 1:20). Because Christ is the Amen, he calls us to a real commitment to God to realize his plans.
- Rev 3,1 This is a brief message to a dying church. The universal Church has been promised that it will remain. Yet an individual church can disappear. To be dressed in white means inner life: being clothed with Christ (see Eph 4:24). Throughout the book of Revelation, white means joy, strength, victory and eternal glory. Rev 3,7 This is a message of consolation and optimism for those who work faithfully with the Holy Spirit, but who are troubled by the thousand difficulties of their ministry. The one who holds the key of David (see Is 22:22). Christ has absolute power over the house of David, namely, his people. He prepares a fruitful ministry for those who were able to persevere in hard times when the fruits of their labors were not seen. I have opened a door before you (v. 8) means: I have prepared a successful ministry. There is one condition: keeping the Word of God and being faithful to him. Rev 3,14 You are neither cold nor hot. Neither unbelievers who remain cold toward a faith they do not share, nor believers who take God's love seriously and show authentic surrender. We can easily imagine this community of nice, comfortable people. They were one more religious group, but not witnesses of Christ the victor. Laodicea had hot and cold thermal waters. It was also in that city that an eyewash famous for improving eyesight was made. Amen means: it is true, or also: I commit myself this way. Christ is the Father's Amen. His commitment to us is the fulfillment of God's promises (see 2 Cor 1:20). Because Christ is the Amen, he calls us to a real commitment to God to realize his plans.
- Rev 3,1 This is a brief message to a dying church. The universal Church has been promised that it will remain. Yet an individual church can disappear. To be dressed in white means inner life: being clothed with Christ (see Eph 4:24). Throughout the book of Revelation, white means joy, strength, victory and eternal glory. Rev 3,7 This is a message of consolation and optimism for those who work faithfully with the Holy Spirit, but who are troubled by the thousand difficulties of their ministry. The one who holds the key of David (see Is 22:22). Christ has absolute power over the house of David, namely, his people. He prepares a fruitful ministry for those who were able to persevere in hard times when the fruits of their labors were not seen. I have opened a door before you (v. 8) means: I have prepared a successful ministry. There is one condition: keeping the Word of God and being faithful to him. Rev 3,14 You are neither cold nor hot. Neither unbelievers who remain cold toward a faith they do not share, nor believers who take God's love seriously and show authentic surrender. We can easily imagine this community of nice, comfortable people. They were one more religious group, but not witnesses of Christ the victor. Laodicea had hot and cold thermal waters. It was also in that city that an eyewash famous for improving eyesight was made. Amen means: it is true, or also: I commit myself this way. Christ is the Father's Amen. His commitment to us is the fulfillment of God's promises (see 2 Cor 1:20). Because Christ is the Amen, he calls us to a real commitment to God to realize his plans.
