Revelation 3

Revelation 3:7-22

The epistles, which Christ orders to be written to the two remaining churches, the Philadelphian, and Laodicean. Rev. III. 7—22

REVELATION III. 7.

AND now to the angel, or minister, of the church in Philadelphia, write, These things vi. saith the Holy One, and the true One,ᵃ he, who Rev. claims perfect holiness, and invariable truth, as iii. 7 necessary and essential to his nature, in a manner which no creature can pretend to; he, whose authority in the church of God is so uncontrollable, that it may truly be said, he has the key of the house of David; he, who openeth, and no man shutteth,ᵇ and shutteth, and no man openeth; insomuch that Eliakim, who is spoken of in such terms of honour, (Isa. xxii. 22,) was 8 only a type of him: I well know thy works, how exemplary they are; and behold, I have used the power of the key which is in my hand, in such a manner, that I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: I give thee a power and opportunity of spreading my gospel, which none shall take from thee; because thou hast, at least, a little strength; Rev. III. 7. AND to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write, These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast

ᵃ The holy One, the true One.] This is nature, to serve in the cause. (Compare so peculiarly the prerogative of God, that I have sometimes wondered, no greater stress should have been laid upon it in proof of the Deity of our blessed Redeemer, by many writers who have pressed other texts, of a much more dubious nature, to serve in the cause. (Compare chap. vi. 10) ᵇ Who openeth, and no man shutteth.] The office of lord steward of the household, who hath the power of opening and shutting what apartments in the palace be pleaseth, is described by these terms.

He would keep them from the hour of temptation.

kept my word, and and thou hast used it well, and hast coura- sect. hast not denied my geously kept my word, and hast not denied my vi. name, though many attempts have been made Rev. 9 Behold, I will to drive thee to do it. Behold, I will give, as iv. 9

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan (which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie;) behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

it were, into thy power, those hypocritical wretches, [who are] indeed of the synagogue of Satan, and under all the solemn guise of religious worship, are carrying on his cause and interest; they say they are Jews, and pretend to be my people, and are not; but lie. Behold, I say, I will give them into thy power; and I will make them to come and worship before thy feet; and they shall know that I have loved thee, finding I have evidently supported thy cause

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

and interest against all that have opposed it. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, that gospel, which I have myself, by such patient suffering in my human nature, established in the world, and by which I at once exercise and support the faith and patience of my people; I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try all the inhabitants of these parts of the earth: my hand shall remarkably appear, in sheltering thee from the dangers, by which others fall, and in strengthening thee in proportion to the trial.

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Behold, I come quickly, to put an end to those exercises, which are for the present so painful; keep that which thou hast with resolute fidelity; that no man take thy crown from thee, even that crown of everlasting glory, which will be the

Him that over-gracious reward of thy continued fidelity. As cometh, will I make for the conqueror, I will make him a pillar of

Worship before thy feet.] Were we more particularly acquainted with the history of these seven churches, in the times immediately succeeding the date of these epistles, we might perhaps find many remarkable illustrations of several passages in them, and of this among the rest: supposing, for instance, persons of considerable rank and dignity in Philadelphia, were converted to Christianity; and the interest of the synagogue here spoken of, was so weakened, or the heathen populace of the place so prejudiced against them, as that the chief members of the synagogue should find it necessary to court the protection of the Christians for the security of their persons or effects; it will throw

considerable light upon the place. The like observation may be applied to the following clause: I will keep thee from the hour of temptation, &c. Dr. Smith has observed, (in his learned and accurate account of these parts, p. 134-141, that the city of Philadelphia was the last of all the seven, here spoken of, which fell into the hands of the Turks; for whereas the rest were subdued by Urchan and Amurath: Philadelphia held out till the time of Bajazet. So that the remains of this society were preserved, when those of the rest were ruined. But how far that event might immediately be referred to in the words before us, I cannot certainly say.

Christ’s epistle to the church in the ice

distinguished ornament and beauty; and I will not only fix him near, but in the temple of my God above, and he shall stand there upon an unshaken and everlasting basis, so that he shall go out no more; and he shall bear the marks of immortal honour; for I will inscribe upon him the name of my God, under whose auspicious influence the grand victory has been gained, and under whose protection this sacred monument of it shall for ever remain. And I will also inscribe the name of the city of my God, even the New Jerusalem, as it is that to which he belongs, and of which he is free; even that New Jerusalem, which is come down from heaven from my God, and shall soon be represented to thee, O John, in a most glorious vision; and he shall bear my new name, the name which I have acquired by that great expedition, which brought me into the world, and carried me through so many labours and sufferings; even that of the Redeemer of sinners; under which character I will own him for one of my redeemed, who fought under my banner, and overcame his enemies by my influence, and my blood.⁴ He that hath an ear, let him attentively hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; for addresses of this kind are made not to a particular person, or to one Christian society alone, but are indeed of more extensive, and even universal concern.

And to the angel of the church, which is in Laodicea, write, These things saith he, who is the AMEN, the faithful and true Witness; attesting those truths, which are of the utmost importance, on the most perfect knowledge of

will make him a pillar, &c.] Few in the whole New Testament are illustrated by antiquity than this. Numbers of inscriptions are yet re-ning, brought from the Grecian cities Europe and Asia, and some from is in the neighbourhood of Patmos, which the victories of eminent persons commemorated. And as some of were placed near the temples of their s, others were in those temples, to by their being put under the partic-protection of those deities; whose therefore were received upon them, and the names of the cities to which the the names of the gen duct the victory was circumstances suit so victories, much more in the Olympic game antiquity, and so la described by Mr. W. tion on that subject seems to justify the t given in my paraphras passages, on which so and comfort as Chris

hey are charged with ukewarmness.

them, and with the most unerring exactness; yea, he who is the beginning of the creation of God, by whom it was produced, and who is the Head and governor of all that he has made: I know thy works, and all the particulars of thy conduct; that thou art neither cold nor hot, that thou art growing very indifferent in religion, though thou canst not allow thyself entirely to cast it off; now this is so disagreeable to me, that I wish thou wouldst determine one way or another; and that it might be said, thou wert either cold or hot, if thou really thinkest it not worth thy regard, reject it entirely; but, if indeed thou art convinced of its truth and importance, act with a steady conformity to that conviction. Therefore, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, this indifference of thine is as disagreeable to me, as liquor, in this condition, is to the stomach; and therefore to pursue the similitude, odious as it may seem, I must tell thee, that if thou persistest in such a disposition, I will cast thee out of my mouth with loathing. Because thou sayest I am wealthy, and have enriched myself by my own wisdom and virtue, and have need of nothing; imagining thy state in religion to be so very prosperous and happy; and in this spiritual lunacy into which thou art fallen, like a miserable beggar who fancies himself a prince, knowest not that thou art wretched, and pitiable, and poor, and blind, and naked, in a most deplorable condition, destitute of every desirable blessing; I counsel thee, that with an humble sense of thy condition, so extremely unhappy, thou apply to him who alone is capa-

• The beginning of the creation of God.] Mr. Fleming would render it, the efficient cause of God’s creation. But as it is certain, that upon has not always that signification, I judge it safe to give what is more commonly the sense of it.

So disagreeable to me, that I wish thou wouldst determine one way or another.] Mr. Lowman observes, that the clause, I would thou wert cold or hot, may be understood as expressing great dislike, not as a proper wish, or expression of what men really desire.

Wretched and pitiable, &c.] The sad account which is here given of the Laodi-

cean church, which is placed last, when compared with what is said of the glorious state of Christianity in the last ages of the world, may, I think, convince any attentive reader, that these epistles are not to be understood in a prophetic sense, as expressive of the state and character of the Christian church in different periods of time. It may also be observed, that at that rate the middle ages of the church, which were in fact most corrupt, must have answered to Pergamos and Thyatim, which are described in these epistles, as the most flourishing and happy state.

VOL. 6.

They are exhorted to be zealous, an rep

ble of helping thee. And as I require no price, or equivalent for my treasures, but only a conviction of such an incapacity to make an adequate return for them, I advise thee, in that way, to buy of me a full supply for all thy necessities; blessings, as desirable as gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest indeed be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear. Apply to me for an interest in my righteousness and sanctifying grace; that thou mayest be absolved before God, and adorned with every virtue which can render thee lovely in his sight. And whereas thou art blinded with such unhappy self conceit, come, and anoint thy eyes with my sovereign eye salve, that thou mayest see; for I can bring thee to right sentiments of thyself, and of thy state; and can teach thee to judge of objects according to their real worth. In the mean time, imagine not, that what may seem severe in this address, proceeds from any unkindness to thee; for whomsoever I love, I reprove and correct. Instead, therefore, of ungratefully quarrelling at so kind an admonition, set thyself immediately and diligently to improve it: Be more zealous for the future, than thou hast ever been in time past, and deeply repent of thy prevailing indolence and degeneracy. Behold, I have stood for a long time, and I still stand at the door, and knock; waiting for admittance into your hearts. If any man hear my voice, with a due regard, and open the door; if he welcome me with the affection due to such a Friend, and such a Saviour, how mean soever his circumstances in life may be, and how faulty soever his character may formerly have been, I will enter into his house, and, like some princely guest, will bring my own rich and delightful entertainment along with me; I will sup with him, and he shall sup with me; I will treat him with the most endearing and familiar friendship, accept the tokens of his affection, and give him the most solid evidences of mine. Let this variety of motives then engage you, O ye Laodiceans, to shake off that dull lethargic temper which has so long given me cause of complaint: and for your further encouragement,

s on the epistles to Philadelphia and Laodicea,

hear the last promise which I make, to all who exert themselves in that holy warfare, to which I am calling you, with becoming vigour and resolution: as for the valiant conqueror, I will give him to sit down with me upon my glorious and exalted throne in the heavenly world; as I also myself have conquered the enemies which violently assaulted me in the days of my flesh, and am set down with my Father upon his throne; my faithful servants shall partake with me of this honour in the great day of my appearing, and shall live and reign with me for ever. He therefore, that hath an ear to hear, let him be all attention on this occasion, and hear what the Spirit saith to the churches; regarding what has been addressed to each, as intended to afford matter of general instruction.

IMPROVEMENT.

IN what age, or in what place, will the church be entirely free verse from this Laodicean temper, which is so justly complained of by our Lord, and represented as so loathsome to him; I mean, an indolence in religion, often joined with arrogance and spiritual pride too, as if great attainments were made, where it is almost matter of doubt, whether the very essentials be remaining! Let us not indulge to a vain conceit of our own wisdom, and riches, and sufficiency; but let us thankfully hearken to that kind invitation, which he here gives us, to come and purchase that of him, without money, and without price, by which we may be truly and substantially enriched; that by which we may attain to-real knowledge and true discernment; and may be clothed with ornaments and glories, which shall render us amiable in the eyes of God. How long has our compassionate Saviour been waiting upon us! How long has he stood knocking at the door! And O, for what guests hath he been excluded! who have filled our hearts and taken the throne in them, while the entrance has been denied to the Lord of glory and of grace! Let us humble ourselves in the dust before him, and entreat that he would now enter as into his own habitation; that he would do us the honour to sup with us; that he would cause us to sup with him; opening to us the stores of his love and bounty, and causing our souls to rejoice in his salvation. “Awaken us, O blessed Jesus, to give thee a most cheerful admittance; and rather shew thy love to us by chastisements and rebuke, than suffer us entirely to forfeit it, by continued insensibility and negligence. Holy and true, who hast the key of David, exert thy power, irresistible in

St. John beheld a door opened in heaven:

heaven and on earth, in opening our hearts: and O, set before vi. us an open door of service; and give us to use it to the utverse most, for thy glory. Strengthen us to keep the word of thy 18,10 patience, and make us unshaken in our attachment to thee, in every hour of temptation, which may come upon the earth, that none may take away our crown.”

Whatever our trials may be, let us rejoice in this, that they will be only for a short duration; for our Lord is coming quickly: whatever our combat may be, let us arm ourselves with faith in those glorious promises, which our Lord makes to them that persevere and overcome.

Have we not experienced the pleasure of filling a place in the house of God on earth? But this sacred satisfaction, and the holy season which affords it, is quickly over; let us long for the blessed time, when we shall be fixed as immoveable pillars in the temple of God above. And O, may we now wear, engraven on our hearts, the name of our God, and of his heavenly city, and the new name of our triumphant Redeemer, as a token for good, that we shall bear the inscription in bright and everlasting characters

above. But even this most expressive promise was not equal to all the purposes of a Saviour’s love: that nothing, therefore, might be wanting to enkindle the most generous ambition, he has been pleased to speak of our sitting down with him upon his throne, as he is sat down on his Father’s throne. And who then will ever scruple to suffer with him, when thus assured of reigning with him, in everlasting glory! O, who would grudge to resign, not merely the accommodations of life, but even an earthly throne, in the hope of one, so much more radiant, exalted, and permanent! Fear not, little flock! it is your Father’s and your Saviour’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom, (Luke xii. 32,) and he animates you to pursue it with such compassionate earnestness, as if he could hardly enjoy it himself, unless it were communicated to you.