◄ Revelation 3 Devotional Commentary ►

Revelation 3:2

There is urgency in these words from the apostle John as he continues the revelation of Jesus Christ, to the church at Sardis: "Be alert," he exhorts his readers: "Be watchful!" is Christ's command to these believers, "Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which are about to die," was the Lord's challenge to the Christians at Sardis, "for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God."

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Revelation 3:4

The sad truth about the Church in Sardis, was that despite its lively appearance, busy activity, and great reputation, it was spiritually dead, and Jesus was very verbal in His undisguised condemnation of the majority. However, this verse addressed a little remnant of faithful believers, commending them for their good deeds and godly life: "But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are read more...

Revelation 3:5

It is the Church in Sardis to whom the Lord is writing in this passage. The people in this fellowship gave the appearance of being alive, vibrant, and effective to those in the world, and yet the Lord Jesus denounced them as dead, and complained that He had not found their deeds to be complete, in the sight of God, for they had defiled their garments, and walked in an unworthy manner.

They were obviously regenerate individuals, read more...

Revelation 3:11

The church at Philadelphia in this verse is generally referred to as 'the faithful church' and is one of the two churches in Revelation that do not receive a word of rebuke from the Lord.

Although the church at Philadelphia was small in number, they faithfully held fast to the truth of God's Word and patiently endured the difficulties and trials they faced, in a world at enmity with God. They did receive a warning: read more...

Revelation 3:12

In sending His seven letters to the churches early in the book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus gives great insight into the spiritual temperature of the Christian Church... as the day for His return to earth draws ever nearer. We know that we are closer to that day than when we first believed, and are exhorted to be holy, for the Lord our God is holy. Indeed, we are encouraged to watch for Christ's any day return for His Church, for we do not know the day nor the read more...

Revelation 3:15

The letter to the 'Church of the Laodiceans', is perhaps the most solemn and thought-provoking of all of Christ's post-Resurrection communications to Church-age believers. This letter is the last of seven letters to different churches in Asia Minor.

Jesus is the omniscient God Who knows the very thoughts of our inner heart - and He did not give one word of commendation and praise to these Laodicean believers. The condemnation that read more...

Revelation 3:19

Christ's advice to the church at Laodicea was that their whole value system needed to be changed - their values, their attitudes, and their focus. They needed to look away from the things they highly esteemed in this world and set their hearts on the spiritual. They needed to cherish that which is of eternal worth, and pursuing the treasures of heaven rather than the trinkets of earth. They needed to fix the eyes of their heart upon Jesus, their Saviour and read more...

Revelation 3:20

Many use this verse as an evangelism verse for the unsaved, but in reality, like all the seven letters in the book of Revelation, this is a warning to the Church of Christ (saved believers who are part of His Body and Bride). This verse is written to the one that has already been justified, made righteous through believing on that the Lord Jesus Christ Who died on the Cross as their own sin substitute, for His death paid the price for all sin.

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Revelation 3:21

The last of the seven churches mentioned in Revelation, is the church of the Laodiceans who were neither hot nor cold, but were identified as sickeningly lukewarm. The Lord would have preferred one extreme or the other... but disinterest, self-sufficiency, and ignorant complacency, best categorises this apathetic, apostate congregation.

Indeed, we find Christ, the head of the Church, standing outside the door and knocking - read more...

Revelation 3:22

Not only were Christ's seven letters to the churches in Revelation written to a specific congregation of believers, but each letter has remained relevant for generations of Christians and remains equally relevant today. Indeed, a blessing has been promised to all who read and take to heart the things that are written in these seven epistles... and we would do well to carefully read, mark, learn, inwardly digest, apply, and take to heart, all that read more...