Revelation 3

Christ commands the fifth letter to be written, to the Angel of the Church at Sardis, ver. 1. Whom he exhorts to more watchfulness and carefulness, 2. Or otherwise he threatens to come upon him, as a thief in the night, 3. He promiseth to those which keep their garments unspotted, that they shall walk with him, and that he will not blot their Names out of the Book of life, 4. After that he enjoins the Apostle to write the sixth letter, unto the Angel of Philadelphia, 7. Whom he commends for his steadfastness, 8. And promiseth that Jews shall come to worship before his feet, and that he would keep him in the temptation, 9. Also he promiseth to make the overcomer a pillar in the Temple of God, and an inhabitant of the new Jerusalem, 12. As last he giveth charge for the seventh letter, to be written to the Angel of Church of Laodicea, ver. 14. Whose luke-warmness he reprehendeth, 15. And their vain boasting or opinion of the riches; he wisheth them to buy gold tried in the fire, and garments, and eyosalve, 18. Testifies, that he stands knocking at the door , and promiseth the overcomer that he will give him to sit at his Table, and upon his Throne, 20.

1. And write to the Angel [See ab. Ch. 2. 1.] of the Church that is at Sardis; [this was a very great and famous City in Lydia, where in the former time king Craesus had his Court and Residence] this saith he, that hath the seven spirits God, and the seven stars, [this Title being nor extant in the description of Christ’s apparition set down in the first chapter. Some conceive it to be taken out of the preface of this Book, chapter 1. V. 4. Where the Holy Ghost is called thus for the reasons there given. For the Holy Ghost is not only the Spirit of the father, but also of the son, whom he bestows upon his true believers, to be their guide and comforter, John 15:26. Galatians 4:6. Others think, that these seven spirits here are the seven Angels, often mentioned in this Revelation, which are in Christ’s hand as his Ministries, to use and employ them where he pleaseth; as the seven stars also do signify the seven Angels or Overseers of the Churches, as is declared chapt. 1. 20. Yet seeing the word Spirits is no where used in this Relevation of Angels, therefore the former opinion seems the fittest] I know thy works, that thou hast the name that thou livest, and thou art dead. [i.e. thou carriest a fair show of a diligent and faithful Overseer of the Church, and yet thou art nothing left, as the sequel declareth.]

2. Be watchful [Or awake, viz. out of thy drowsiness and pretences, as Ephesians 5:14. See also Ezekiel 34:16.] and strengthen the remnant that is ready to dy: [i.e. which grows daily more and more remiss and careless, and thereby is ready to perish quite, if it be not roused up and quickened by good exhortations and examples] for I have not found thy works full [Gr. Not fulfilled, i.e. not upright, serious and zealous enough; For otherwise the most holy persons have their failings, James 3:2.] before God. [others read, before my God, i.e. although thou mayest satisfy men with these shows of thine, God is not satisfied therewith, but requires an upright mind, and earnest endeavours.]

3. Remember then how thou didst receive and hear it, [i.e. what charge was given thee, and what doctrine thou hast heard from the Apostles, when thou was called to this Ministery] and keep it, and repent. If then thou hath watch not, I will come upon thee as a Thief, [i.e. suddenly, as unawares, as Matthew 24:43. Which may be understood either of some sudden death, or of other grievous punishments surprising him] and thou shalt not know at what hour I shall come upon thee.

4. Yet thou hast(some) few names also [i.e. persons, as Acts 1:15.] at Sardis, who have not defiled their garments, [i.e. have not polluted themselves with impure doctrine and with uncleanness of life, as the Nicolaites. See 1 Thes. 4 4. This similitude Jude also makes use of, v. 23. Of his Epistle] and they shall walk with me in white (rayments): [as having conquered the world and sin. For white rayments were anciently a token of triumph and excellency, as appears by the next verse. See also hereafter, ch. 7. 9. And 19. 14. And an example Matthew 17:2.] they being worth of it. [this worthiness in them comes not from any powers or deserts of their own, but from Christ, and for Christ’s merit sake, Christ through his own merits, graciously accounting and making them worthy of such recompense. See 2 Cor. 3 4, 5. 2 Thes. 1. 5, 11. Hebrews 13:21.]

5. He that overcometh shall be clothed with white garments: And I will in no wise blot out his name out of the book of life, [This is said for the comfort of the Faithful, which might begin to doubt of their Election. Not as if any truly written in the Book of Life, may ever be blotted thence; the contrary appearing, by Revelation 13:8. And 21. 17. But that some in regard of their calling and profession, seem to be written therein, who show afterwards by their actions, that they are not, as is made plain by Psalms 69:29.] that they are blotted out of the book of life, and that they are not written with the righteous, [where the latter clause explains the former] and I will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his Angels. [i.e. I will own him as my Fathers true servant and disciple, Matth. 10. 32.]

6. He that hath ears, let him hear, what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

7. And write unto the Angel of the Church that is in Philadelphia; [This was a city in Mysia, not far from Lydia, so called by one Attalus Philadelphius, who first caused that city to be built, though it prospered not very much, as being subject to frequent Earthquakes; however there was a very goodly and godly church there, as appears by the letter it self here, in the sequel] this saith the Holy (one) the True (one) [these two Titles are generally ascribed to God in the Old Testament, as may be seen Isaiah 6:3. Psal. 145. 17. Which Christ, as the true Son of God, attributes here unto himself also, he not only being holy in himself, but making us also holy; and being true likewise in all his promises and threatening] he that hath the key of David and his family was a Type. And here regard is had to the place, Isaiah 22:22. Where the like promise is made to Eliakim; and thereby is understood the supreme power of admitting into, and putting out of the same such as he pleaseth, and consequently also into and out of Heaven; according as Christ also promised a spiritual power to his church, though subordinate to his own, Matthew 16:19. And 18. 11.] he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and he shutteth and no man openeth:

8. I know thy works: Behold, I have given for thee an opened door, and none can shut the same: [i.e. a sure and unmolested occasion of spreading the Gospel with good success, as 1 Cor. 16. 9. 2 Cor. 2. 12.] for thou hast a little power, and thou hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. [this little power he had not of or from himself, to accomplish such great things by it; but (as he implyeth) seeing thou art faithful in keeping of my word, therefore I will open thee a door by my spirit, and none, whoever or however he strive against it, shall be able to hinder the same. For the power of God is perfected in our weakness, 2 Cor. 12. 9. Others read, Thou hast a little power (yet), i.e. there is yet some good left in thee, through my grace, which I shall bless further.]

9. Behold, I give (you some) out of the Synagogue of Satan, [See above chapter 2. 9.] of them that say they are Jews, and are not, but lie: Behold I will cause them to come, [i.e. of those very Jews, which now are sworn Enemies to my church, will I convert some unto me: In like manner as happened as Paul, and some other remaining vessels of Grace, before that time, and according to Christ’s promise here, no doubt was verified on many in the church] and worship before thy feet, [i.e. submit themselves to thee and to my church, and be converted from their former opposition. The similitude in the phrase is taken from the usual custom among the Eastern Nations, and the marching of those that acknowledged themselves to be subdued. See Psal. 72. 9.] and acknowledge that I love thee.

10. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, [Thus the Gospel is called, because it sets before our eyes the suffering and patience of Christ, and exhorts us every where to the like] therefore I will keep thee also out of the hour of Temptation, which shall come upon the whole world, for to tempt those that dwell upon Earth. [i.e. I will hinder thy being tempted, or atleast wise, that thy being tempted, shall not hurt thy soul. By temptation he understands persecution, as hath been often showed. And it should seem, that Christ here speaksof the ten years persecution, which Trajan raised against the Christians shortly after this prophecy all the world over.]

11. Behold I come suddenly, hold that which thou hast, [viz. Faith and a good conscience, as Paul hath it, 1 Tim. 1. 19.] that none take away thy crown [some understand this of the crown of the Ministry, wherein this Pastor had hitherto so well acquitted himself: but it may also well be understood of the crown of eternal life, as above, chapter 10. Which is here threatened to be taken away from him that shall grow flack and negligent in his Ministry, or careless of his life and conversation. And such warnings are the means whereby to keep the faithful constant in the good way. For Christ promiseth in the former verse, that he would keep him out of the hour of temptation, and in the following 12. V. that he shall be a pillar in the temple of God, out of which he shall go no more.]

12. Him that overcometh I will make a pillar in the house of my God, [i.e. In the Church of God’s Elect, which is building here below, and to be perfected hereafter in heaven. The Apostle hath an eye here to the two pillars in the Temple of Salomon, whereof we read 1 Kin. 7. 15. Which were excellent both for ornament and strength: the one being called Jacin by Salomon, i.e. he shall establish: and the other Bohaz, i.e. in him is strength. See also, Galatians 2:9.] and he shall no more go out there: [viz. as those typical ones in the Temple of the Old Testament, which were carried away out of it by the Chaldeans, as may be seen, Jeremiah 52:17. For he that is a pillar in the Church of the true Elect, he cannot be seduced, Matth. 24. 24. And is never cast out, John 6:37.] and I will write upon him [as it was the manner also to inscribe such Pillars with honourable Titles, and as the two before mentioned in Salomons Temple had these two names written upon them, spoken of in the former note] the Name of my God, [in token that he belongs to God in a more peculiar manner, as we use to sign or inscribe our own things with our own name: and as in former times the souldiers were wont to be marked with the name of their commanders, and the bondmen with the name of their Masters. See hereafter, chapter 7. 3. For although we know here that we are God’s children, yet it is not actually declared yet what we shall be, 1 John 3:2.] and the name of the City of my God (namely) of the new Jerusalem [i.e. of the true Church of Christ opposed here to the power whereby it is gathered upon earth, and of the glory wherewith it is to be invested at the last day. See Revelation 21:2, etc.] and also my new Name. [in token that he is my servant and Minister, and shall be made partaker of my glory, of which new Name, which Christ purchased after his exaltation, see Phil.2. 9, 10. Proverbs 19:12, 16.]

13. He that hath ears, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.

14. And write unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodicea was a rich and famous City in Phrygia by the river Lycus not far from Coloss, wherefore mention also is made of it in the Epistle to the Colossians, chapter 2. 1. And 4. 16.] this saith the Amen, [this word Amen is put here for a name or Title of Christ, as chapter 1. 8. He that is to come, and as Exodus 3:14. The word Eheje, i.e. I shall be, is put for the Name or Title of God, whereby is understood the faithfulness and steadfastness of Christ in the executing of all the promises of God, 1 Cor. 1. 19, 20.] the faithful and true witness, [even as the word or name Amen doth signify the steadfastness of Christ in executing of his promises; so these words do set forth his faithfulness and truth in propounding the doctrine of salvation, which he brought forth unto us out of the Fathers bosom] the beginning of the creation of God. [i.e. the author and foundation of the creation of all things, as John 1:3. Colossians 1:15. Others render it Prince (or Chief) of God’s Creatures, as he it also called the Heir of all things, Hebrews 1:2.]

15. I know thy works, that thou are neither cold nor hot, [i.e. neither zealous in the truth received, nor a stranger to it, as having indeed embraced the truth, but seeking to frame and accommodate thy life, or outward worship of God to the world, for to eschew the ungratefulness and persecutions thereof, which sort of people are worse and with more difficulty to be reclaimed, than those that are altogether strangers to the truth, as Christ witnesseth of the Pharisees, John 9:41. Elias of the Israelites, 1 Kin. 18. 21.] oh that thou wert cold or hot!

16. So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. [Not, as if such luke-warm professors were in the mouth of Christ, or in Christ really, but because by their outward profession and boast, they seem to be in to the eyes of the world.]

17. Or thou sayst, I am rich, and grown rich, and want nothing: [i.e. thou dost make boast of it, thou persuades thy self that thou aboundest with all manner of spiritual gifts, because thou prosperest outwardly in the world, just as the Pharisee was conceited of himself, Luke 18. But the contrary is true, as Christ shows it them in the sequel punctually] and thou knowest not that thou art miserable, and wretched, and poor, and blind, [viz. in the knowledge of thy self and thy own misery] and naked. [i.e. destitute of the true righteousness and holiness, which availeth before God, appears by the sequel.]

18. I counsel thee to buy of me [i.e. to desire and seek to get, not by thy own desert (for Christ saith plainly thou art poor and naked) but of grace, and for nothing, by prayer, as is declared, Isaiah 55:1. See also Matthew 11:28.] gold coming tried out of the fire, [or, which comes forth glowing (or red-hot) out of the fire, and is past the trial, whereby is understood the true faith, which is tried by the fire of temptations, 1 Pet. 1. 7. And which applies to itself all the riches of Christ’s suffering, and is enstated therewith] that thou may become rich: and white rayments that thou mayest be arrayed, and the shame of thy nakedness not be made manifest: [i.e. the whole rayments are the righteousness and holiness of Christ, wherewith our spiritual wretchedness and nakedness comes to be covered before God, as is declared below, cha. 7.13, 14. And 19. 8.] and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, [or eye-water, i.e. with the right understanding of his word, and the power of the Spirit, whereby we are brought to the knowledge of our selves, and of the grace of God toward us, Psal. 19. 9. And 119. 105.] that thou mayst see.

19. Whomsoever I love, him I do reprove and chastise, [i.e. convince him by words in his mind, and punish him actually by one or other visitation. See the like, Hebrews 12:5,6. This qualification Christ adds here thereby to moderate the sharpness of the former admonition, seeing it proceeds from love] be zealous therefore and repent.

20. Behold I stand at the door, and I knock: [This place seems to be taken out of the song of Solomon, chapter 5. 2. Where the like knocking of the Bridgegroom is described at the door of his sleeping spouse: and thereby is understood Christ’s spiritual admonishing of us at the door of our consciences by his word and Spirit, for to rouse us up out of our sins and dullness, that we may give heed to his warnings and exhortations] if any one shall hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in unto him, [this is not left in the free will of man; but this exhortation is a means whereby Christ openeth the door of our hearts, he addressing his speech here unto members of his Church, many whereof were already made partakers of the Spirit of Christ: which gift is stirred up more and more by such exhortations, as Paul speaks to Timothy, 2 Tim. 1. 6, 7. For none comes to Christ, but he that hath heard and learned it of the Father, whom the Father draweth, and to whom it is given by the Father, John 5:44, 65. So that none doth open his heart to Christ’s admonitions, but he whose heart God openeth first, to make him give heed to his word, as David prayeth, Psal. 119. 18. And is recorded of Lydia, Acts 16:14. And of all believers, Philippians 2:13.] and I will sup with him by my spirit, and make him more and more sensible of my grace and favour, for his comfort and strengthening, John 14:21, 22. And partaker hereafter of everlasting joys; which is also likened to a sitting at a rich table, Matth. 8. 11. And Luke 14:15.]

21. To him that overcometh I will give to sit with me in my throne, as I have overcome, and em sat down with my Father in his throne. [i.e. I shall make him hereafter to participate of my power and glory in the last judgement, as Christ explains it, Matth. 19. 28. And John 17:5, etc. and Paul Romans 8:17. 1 Cor. 6. 2, 3.]

22. He that hath ears, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches.