7. LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN Revelation 3:14-22 14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write:--See notes on 2:1. Laodicea was located east of Ephesus, near Colosse. These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God:--These words refer to Christ. See notes on 1:5. Since the church at Laodicea was "lukewarm," it was appropriate for Christ to refer to himself as "the faithful and true witness." This thought is also expressed in the one word "Amen." In Colossians 1:16 Christ is referred to as being in the creation with the Father. Hence, it would not be out of place to say that he was the beginner or author of creation. Saying that he was the "beginning of the creation of God" doubtless was intended to impress the Laodiceans with the thought that he had all divine authority to command; hence, obedience was imperatively necessary. 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: would thou wort cold or hot.--As was said to the other churches, the Laodiceans were told that Christ knew their works. For the church at Philadelphia the Lord had only praise; for the Laodiceans, only censure. In describing their spiritual condition he uses three terms--cold, hot, and luke-warm. He declares that they were neither cold nor hot, and expressed the wish that they were one or the other. The comparison here is based upon water at different degrees of temperature. Either hot or cold, it is palatable; being neither --lukewarm--it is nauseating. So the condition of the Laodiceans spiritually was deeply offensive to God. To be hot means that they should have been fervent in their zeal in God's service. It is easy to understand how that would be better and more pleasing to God than their utter indifference, but just why God would prefer their being cold is not so easily seen; commentators are not agreed on this point, nor exactly on what class is referred to as being in the cold state. Since "cold" and "lukewarm" have about the same significance when used to describe members of the church without zeal for God, it is concluded by some that "cold" refers to those who have made no profession of serving God--the unsaved. But why should one unsaved be preferred to one whose professed Christianity lacks piety, earnestness, and zeal? In short, one who is indifferent, self-satisfied, and heartless? It could not be because it would be finally any better for the individual, for both characters will be lost. The unsaved man might be more easily aroused to realize his lost condition than the self-satisfied Christian could be aroused from his sleep, because of being deceived in thinking himself safe. A more probable reason, however seems to be that the lukewarm Christian will do the church more harm than the unsaved sinner. Inconsistent and hypocritical members of the church exercise a more deadly influence against the truth, and keep more people from obeying the gospel than outright sinners. This is often made evident by those who justify their refusal to enter the church on the ground that they are "better than some in the church." 16 So because thou art lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spew thee out of my mouth.--This expression, when changed into literal language, means that God will reject such professed Christians. This is plain proof that they are actually no better than those who never entered the church; and, as already suggested, their position renders them more detrimental to it. 17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing; --These words seem to assign a reason why they were lukewarm, and also why Christ urged them to reform. "Riches" may refer to material or spiritual things, or to both. Those rich in material goods usually are unduly self-confident; those who are cold and unconcerned in spiritual things consider that they have enough and do not need anything. Both are self-deceived, as the next expression clearly shows. and knowest not that thou art the wretched one and miserable and poor and blind and naked:--The saddest thing about the lukewarm Christian is that he does not realize his true condition and the fatal results that will finally come to him. If he did, he would not remain lukewarm. He thinks himself in need of nothing when, in fact, he is poor, blind, naked, wretched, and miserable. He is in a wretched and pitiable condition, but wholly unconscious of the fact. 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold refined by fire, that thou mayest become rich; and white garments, that thou mayest clothe thyself, and that the shame of thy nakedness be not made manifest; and eyesalve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.--The Lord's counsel here is beautifully impressive. Material things of much value are used to express spiritual lessons. The worth of true Christianity could not be better expressed than by refined gold. White garments are said to be the righteous acts of the saints. (19:8.) We clothe the body for both protection and decency. Righteousness protects the soul against sin and prevents the shameful inconsistency of professing one thing and practicing something else. Eyesalve would suggest that they carefully consider God's word, applying its teaching to themselves, till they could fully see their pitiable and sinful condition. This would bring them back to a full realization of their true state and bring about a happy reformation. 19 As many as I love, I reprove and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.--Rebuke and chastening are evidences of genuine love, when they are properly given. Of course, divine perfection would prevent the Lord's giving them improperly. We are told that "whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth," and that too, "for our profit, that we may he partakers of his holiness." (Hebrews 12:6; Hebrews 12:10.) For that reason he commanded them to be zealous and repent, and the command comes down to all similar characters now. Repentance leads to a change of conduct; the lukewarm person becomes zealous. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.--This language is a touching appeal to impress the necessity of heeding the exhortation in the two preceding verses. It is in striking contrast with the severe rebuke for their coldhearted indifference to the Lord's service. The lessons taught by the imagery are too evident to be misunderstood. One knocking at a door for admittance indicates the Lord's appeal to them to give him and his service a place in their hearts. In this he takes the lead. Opening the door or refusing to do so brings out man's ability and the conditional nature of acceptance with God. Perhaps the custom then was to speak as well as knock upon the door. Yielding to the demand of the voice and opening the door shows man's willingness to have the Lord for a divine guest. Association at a meal has always indicated friendship. Lukewarm saints renew their spiritual strength when they invite the Lord to become their guest. Eliminating all figures of speech the thought is, by following the Lord's teaching, we become zealous Christians, which is the lesson of this text. 21 He that overcometh, I will give to him to sit down with me in my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne.--As a reward for overcoming--completing the work which the Father guve him to do--Jesus was granted the honor of sitting at God's right hand as head of the church, Priest and King. (Ephesians 1:19-23; Hebrews 8:1; John 18:36; Philippians 2:7-11.) The word "throne" indicates authority, dominion, and power. He was given this position because he overcame. Sitting with God upon his throne means that the Father gave him the right to rule as king. In like manner those who overcame by doing Christ's commands were to be given authority to rule with him. This faithful Christians do by teaching and practicing his laws by which men are to be governed spiritually. Only in this way can the Lord reign over men. His law has been revealed to the world through the apostles and perpetuated by the teaching and lives of his disciples. He has made no other provision for its dissemination. All faithful Christians, therefore, share with him in ruling through his truth--here called sitting "down with me in my throne." This is the same truth, from a different view-point, as is expressed when Christ's disciples are called "the salt of the earth." (Matthew 5:13.) As Christians are agents through whom men are saved (1 Timothy 4:16), so they are agents through whom Christ reigns. Hence, they sit with him in his throne--that is, rule with him. It is called the Father's throne because he gave it to Christ; it is Christ's because he, as a descendant of David, sits upon it; it is David's (spiritually speaking) because the Savior had to be of his family--the "throne of his father David" being the only one promised him. (Luke 1:32.) In like manner the throne in the final state is that "of God and of the Lamb" (Revelation 22:1), yet the rule is then turned back to the Father (1 Cor. 15 24-28.) 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.--See notes on 2:7. 1. The language of these letters clearly indicates the individual and personal responsibility of man to God. Each congregation received its praise or rebuke, or both, just as its own case required. Even the distinct classes in each congregation were pointed out and held to account for their peculiar sins. The principles that "God is no respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34), and that "each one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Romans 14:12), are verified in these letters in a most unmistakable manner. 2. Each letter closes with one or more promises on the condition that the individual "overcome." This logically implies that these rewards would be lost, if one failed to overcome. This also implies individual ability either to fail or to overcome. The exhortation would be without meaning, if this were not true. The sum of all the rewards mentioned to these churches shows how much one may lose by disobedience. They include so much that no one can be saved who loses them. This will be amply clear, if all of them are written together. In these conditional promises we have the strongest possible argument that Christians may be finally lost; or, that the doctrine, "Once in grace, always in grace," is not true. 3. In order that the full force of this argument on the possibility of apostasy may appear, the rewards that may be lost by failing to overcome are listed here. They are as follows Privilege to "eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God." (Revelation 2:7.) (2) To receive a "crown of life" and not be "hurt of the second death." (Revelation 2:10-11.) (3) To receive the "hidden manna," "white stone," and "new name." (Revelation 2:17.) (4) To receive authority to rule the nations. (Revelation 2:26-27.) (5) To be "arrayed in white garments," not have name blotted "out of the book of life," and be confessed before God and angels. (Revelation 3:5.) (6) To be made a "pillar in the temple of my God" and have the names of God and Christ written upon him. (Revelation 3:12.) (7) To be allowed to sit with Christ in his throne. (Revelation 3:21.) As all these may be lost, how much more would one have to lose to be eternally lost? The answer is, nothing. LESSON 7. MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS Read Revelation 3:1-6 1. To whom is this letter addressed? Ans. Revelation 3:1. 2. What two characteristics of Christ are mentioned, about which John had already learned? Ans. Revelation 3:1 : Revelation 1:4; Revelation 1:16. 3. John had been told that the Revelation would come from whom? Ans. Revelation 1:4. 4. What had Jesus said the Spirit would do? Ans. John 15:26-27. 5. What do the seven stars represent? Ans. Revelation 3:1; Revelation 1:20. 6. What was the spiritual condition of the majority in this church? Ans. Revelation 3:1. 7. In what sense can one be "dead" while one "liveth"? Ans. Ephesians 2:1; 1 Timothy 5:6; Luke 15:24. 8. What two things were they commanded to do? Ans. Revelation 3:2. 9. In what condition were the "things that remain"? Ans. Revelation 3:2. 10. What did the Lord say about their works? Ans. Revelation 3:2. 11. What were they told to remember? Ans. Revelation 3:3. 12. What did Jesus say about the manner of his coming upon them? Ans. Revelation 3:3. 13. Who knows when the Lord will come? Ans. Matthew 24:36. 14. Describe the condition of the world at the coming of Christ. Ans. Matthew 24:37-41. 15. What are all commanded to do? Ans. Matthew 24:42. 16. What had a few in Sardis not done? Ans. Revelation 3:4. 17. What promise was made to them? Ans. Revelation 3:4. 18. Name a three-fold blessing for him "that overcometh." Ans. Revelation 3:5. 19. Where are the names of all the people of God written? Ans. Revelation 3:5; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:23. 20. What will God do with the names of his people who sin against him? Ans. Exodus 32:33; Psalms 69:28. 21. What is the final destiny of all whose names are not in the book of life at the judgment? Ans. Revelation 20:15. 22. Who only shall enter heaven? Ans. Revelation 21:27. 23. Before whom will Jesus confess the names of the righteous? Ans. Revelation 3:5. 24. What must we confess in order for Jesus to confess us before the Father? Ans. Matthew 10:32. LESSON 8. MESSAGE TO THE CHURCH IN Read Revelation 3:7-13 1. To whom is this letter addressed? Ans. Revelation 3:7. 2. What does the word "Philadelphia" mean? Ans. It means "brotherly love." 3. In what respect did this church differ from the other six? Ans. Jesus presented no adverse criticism of it, only commendation. 4. What characteristics of Christ are mentioned in this letter? Ans. Revelation 3:7. 5. Give the phophetic utterance regarding the key to David. Ans. Isaiah 22:22. 6. The Christ had to be the son of what great king? Ans. 2 Samuel 7:12; Jno. 7: 42. 7. Who is the promised son of David? Ans. Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8. 8. On whose throne was he to reign? Ans. Psalms 89:3-4; Psalms 132:11; Luke 1:31-33. 9. What did Peter point to as a fulfillment of God's promise to David? Ans. Acts 2:30-33. 10. On whose throne did David and Solomon sit? Ans. 1 Chronicles 29:23. 11. Where has he established his throne? Ans. Psalms 11:4; Psalms 103:19. 12. What had the Lord set before this church? Ans. Revelation 3:8. 13. What had they kept? Ans. Revelation 3:8. 14. What will those of the synagogue of Satan be compelled to do? Ans. Revelation 3:9. 15. From what would the Lord keep this church, and why? Ans. Revelation 3:10. 16. Upon whom was this "hour of trial" to come? Ans. Revelation 3:10. 17. What were they to hold fast, and why? Ans. Revelation 3:11. 18. Give the two-fold blessing promised "to him that overcometh." Ans. Revelation 3:12. 19. Name three things to be written upon those who overcome. Ans. Revelation 3:12. 20. What is the most important thing any ear can hear? Ans. Revelation 3:13. FOR CLASS 1. Discuss the meaning of "key" as used in the Bible. (See Judges 3:25; Isaiah 22:22; Luke 11:52; Matthew 16:19; Revelation 1:18; Revelation 9:1; Revelation 20:1.) LESSON 9. Read Rev. 3: 14-22 1. To whom was this letter addressed? Ans. Revelation 3:14. 2. How does this letter differ from the others? Ans. It contains no commendation; all censure. 3. Give three titles applied to Christ in this letter. Ans. Revelation 3:14. 4. What is meant by the expression, "the beginning of the creation of God"? Ans. John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-17. 5. What can you say of the spiritual condition of the Laodiceans? Ans. Revelation 3:15-16. 6. Explain the difference between a church that is "cold," a church that is "hot," and a church that is "lukewarm." Ans. Revelation 3:15-16. 7. Which of the three conditions is the worst? Ans. Revelation 3:15-16. 8. What did the Lord threaten to do with this church? Ans. Revelation 3:16. 9. What is the final destiny of all half-hearted, double-minded, lukewarm church members? Ans. James 1:7-8; Matthew 25:30. 10. What was this church's opinion of itself? Ans. Revelation 3:17. 11. What warning is given to all? Ans. Romans 12:3; Galatians 6:3. 12. What did the Laodiceans riot know about themselves? Ans. Revelation 3:17. 13. What three things did the Lord counsel them to do? Ans. Revelation 3:18. 14. What blessings would they obtain by doing each of these three things? Ans. Revelation 3:18. 15. Whom does the Lord reprove and chasten? Ans. Revelation 3:19; Proverbs 3:11-12. 16. Why does God chasten his people? Ans. Hebrews 12:10-11; 1 Corinthians 11:32. 17. What should be the Christian's attitude toward the chastening of the Lord? Ans. Hebrews 12:6-9. 18. This stinging rebuke should have caused the Laodiceans to do what two things? Ans. Revelation 3:19. 19. The Lord represents himself as standing where, and doing what? Ans. Revelation 3:20. 20. Upon what condition will the Lord enter in? Ans. Revelation 3:20. 21. How does one "open the door" unto the Lord? Ans. John 14:23. 22. What is promised to all "that overcometh?" Ans. Revelation 3:21. 1. Discuss the loss each one of the seven churches would suffer by failing to overcome: a. What Ephesus would forfeit, Revelation 2:7. b. What Smyrna would lose, Revelation 2:10-11. c. What Pergamum would not receive, Revelation 2:17. d. What Thyatira would not be permitted to do, Revelation 2:26-27. e. What would happen to Sardis, Revelation 3:5. f. What Philadelphia would lose, Revelation 3:12. g. What Laodicea could not do, Revelation 3:21.