Apocalipse 3
John Phillips · Citado em PreceptAustin
Apocalipse 3
Phillips on remember - Every church is born in a time of revival, in some time of the Spirit’s moving. It is only when the first movings of God are forgotten that a church settles down and becomes institutionalized. The drive, the dynamic of the former years is replaced with a more formal, ritualistic, traditionalized, stereotyped, and complacent form of activity. The movement becomes a monument. God’s demand at Sardis is that the church remember its heritage. (Exploring Revelation - BORROW) And keep (tereo) it - NIV = "Obey it" MIT = "Continue to hold to that course." NJB = "Hold on to that (what you have received and heard)." NLT = "hold to it firmly." Keep is also in the in the present imperative emphasizing the need to continually keep watch over and preserve the word. Keep on keeping it in mind ''never allow yourself to forget" so you will keep on obeying it! Jesus affirms they have orthodox teachings, and charges them to not only guard (preserve) it but also to obey (both senses are convey by the verb tereo). Or as James might say "prove (present imperative) yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." (James 1:22+) Their remembering was to be more than just recalling to mind, but as Jesus says was to involve doing. Orthodoxy had to be be accompanied by obedience, for it to be effective in restoring and reviving the body in Sardis. And repent (metanoeo) - Jesus issues a command for a decisive change of mind in order that the Sardians might experience spiritual recovery. Repent is in the aorist imperative and is the "Nike commercial" command signifying "Just Do It!" In addition the aorist imperative conveys a sense of urgency, because unless they obeyed Jesus would come like a thief (kleptes), and you will not know (ginosko) at what hour I will come to you. Martin Luther's first of 95 Theses was "When our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, said “Repent”, He called for the entire life of believers to be one of repentance." Ray Pritchard - We are so messed up by sin that we need to repent every single day. And we even need to repent of our repentance because we are worse off than we think we are. On a Guilt Scale of 1-10, we probably think we’re a 5 or 6, definitely sinful but not as bad as lots of other people. Or maybe on a bad day, we’re a 7 or an 8. But we hardly ever think of ourselves as a 9 or 10 on the scale of badness. But the sobering fact is that even our good deeds, the things we brag about, our claim to being good and upright and moral and virtuous, even the good things we do are in themselves nothing but “filthy rags” in the sight of the Lord (Isaiah 64:6). We will never get better unless we repent. Our churches will never get better unless we repent. We can’t repent for anyone else. It’s the man in the mirror who gets us in trouble. Swindoll - The Great Physician quickly explained the seriousness of their spiritual state and wrote them a clear prescription: “No more playing around with spiritual things. No more talking about doing what’s right. The time has come to do it! Start today!” (See Insights on Revelation) Note that the Great Physician's prescription for the church body about to die included 5 crystal clear commands. The only way the "few" believers could keep these commands was by depending on the Holy Spirit to obey. Indeed, this necessity, could well explain why Jesus began with "He Who has the seven Spirits of God." This tiny remnant would need the Holy Spirit's power if the body of Christ at Sardis was to be supernaturally resuscitated! Therefore (oun = term of conclusion) if you do not wake up (gregoreuo) - If is a third class condition, which speaks of possibility, but it is by no means definite. How would they wake up? By obeying Jesus' five commands! OR ELSE! I will come like a thief (kleptes), and you will (absolutely) not know (ginosko) at what hour I will come to you - Jesus gives a prophetic warning ("I will"). He uses a graphic term of comparison (simile) which should arouse their attention. Will not is a strong double negative (ou me) in Greek, which assures them that His coming will catch them totally by surprise, totally off guard! They won't have a clue. Their spiritual slumber will be rudely, radically awakened! Jesus is not speaking of the rapture (as some suggest), because the Scripture never describes the rapture with the comparative term like a thief. To the contrary, like a thief always points to an event that brings judgment. As Donald Barnhouse wrote "The first phase of the Lord’s coming (AKA RAPTURE) is as a bridegroom and the second phase is as a thief. He does not come upon His bride as a thief and He does not come upon the apostates and unregenerate world as a bridegroom.” Monty Mills - The context of Rev. 3:3+b requires that the term “like a thief in the night” does not here refer to the rapture, but rather to Christ coming in judgment like that threatened to the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:5+), for this coming can be averted by repentance, but that cannot apply to the rapture. Here the “thief” aspect is a reminder drawn from the embarrassing history of the city. John MacArthur agrees writing that "The threat here is not related to His second coming, but is that the Lord would come and destroy the Sardis church if there is no revival. It can also be extrapolated into a warning of the judgment that faces all dead churches at Christ’s return.” (See Revelation Commentary) Rod Mattoon - Like the doctor who said to the cobra victim, "You are dead unless you take the antidote." This church was as good as dead if they did not take God's antidote. (Treasures from Revelation) To what hour does Jesus refer? Most commentaries agree with MacArthur who "feels that "Here the reference is not to Christ’s second coming (cf. Rev 16:15+; 1Th. 5:2+; 2Pe 3:10+), but to His sudden and unexpected coming to His unrepentant, dead church to inflict harm and destruction." Note that Jesus says like a thief (kleptes) and not like a robber who plunders on a larger scale and not by stealth. By contrast the thief (kleptes) is more appropriate as it emphasizes the unexpected and stealthy coming of the Lord. “The last day is hidden from us, that every day may be observed by us” -- Augustine Barclay on Jesus coming like a thief - There is an old Latin saying that “the gods walk on feet that are wrapped in wool.” Their approach is silent and unobserved, until a man finds himself without warning facing eternity. John Phillips on like a thief - The second coming of the Lord is likened to the coming of a thief (Mt. 24:43+), but that does not seem to be the thought here. Here the thought is that the Lord will come suddenly upon this church, which has nothing but an empty reputation, and will break it up. A thief comes to spoil and to remove everything of value. The Lord warns this local church that if there is not self-judgment, He will come suddenly and break up the testimony once and for all. It is a remarkable fact that western Asia Minor, now Turkey, was once the brightest spot on earth for gospel witness. Today it is one of the darkest. (Exploring Revelation - BORROW) Remember (recall, bearing in mind) (3421) mnemoneuo from mimnesko = to recall to one's mind) means to exercise memory, call something to mind, recollect, to pay attention to something and so to be warned (eg, Lk 17:32+). The Analytical Lexicon has an excellent summary of the NT meanings - (1) of recollection recall, remember (Mt 16.9+); (2) of solicitous concern be mindful of, think of, remember (Gal 2.10+); (3) of self-reflection remember, keep in mind (Eph 2.11+); (4) speak (of), (make) mention (of) (Heb 11.22+) (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) Mnemoneuo is "derived from the Indo-European root *mēn, to think… Hence there arises, in Indo-European languages generally, the following complex of meanings: (a) to remember (referring to the intellectual ability, and its exercise, of linking the past to the present); (b) to consider, weigh up (where the present is linked to the future); (c) to be mindful, take into account, mention (assessing how the present relates both to past and future). This range of meanings can be seen in English, e.g., in the various uses of the word “mind”: to remind, call to mind, give one’s mind to, bear in mind, have a mind to, etc. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) A couple of "plugs" for remembering God's Word (which points to the Incarnate Word - Jn 1:1+) - See discussion of Memorizing God's Word of Truth & Life and then put it into practice as a daily discipline (under grace, not law!) by beginning to Memorize Verses by Topic. You will not regret it… in the present age or the age to come. Keep (obey, guard, heed, kept in custody, observe, preserve) (5083) tereo from teros - a guard or warden) means to keep an eye on, to keep something in view, to hold firmly, to attend carefully, or to watch over it (watchful care - Jesus' prayer to His Father for His disciples - Jn 17:11+). Tereo speaks of watching over, of taking care of, of guarding something which is in one’s possession keeping it from loss or injury. It means to watch as one would some precious thing. The idea is to observe attentively, to heed, to keep watch over and to retain in custody. John's uses of tereo in the Revelation - Rev. 1:3+; Rev. 2:26+; Rev. 3:3+; Rev. 3:8+; Rev. 3:10+; Rev. 12:17+; Rev. 14:12+; Rev. 16:15+; Rev. 22:7+; Rev. 22:9+ Tereo with idea of keep watch or guard - Mt 27:36+, Matthew 27:54+, Mt 28:4+ (guards = tereo), Jn 17:11, 12+, Jn 17:15+ (with nuance of protection from Satan), Acts 12:5+, Acts 12:6+ (watching), Acts 16:23+, Acts 24:23+, Acts 25:4+, Acts 25:21+ (held in custody), 1Jn 5:18+, Jude 1:1, 6+, Tereo in the sense of to preserve or maintain -Jn 2:10+, 1Cor 7:37+, 2Cor 11:9+, Eph 4:3+, 1Th 5:23+, 1Ti 5:22+, 2Ti 4:7+, James 1:27+, 1Pe 1:4+, 2Pe 2:4+, 2Pe 2:9+, 2Pe 2:17+, 2Pe 3:7+, Jude 1:13, 21+, Rev 16:15+ Tereo with the idea of obey - Mt 19:17+, Mt 23:3+ (tereo = observe), Mt 28:20+, Jn 8:51, 52+ (one who keeps Jesus' Word = a believer = one who will never see the second death in hell), Jn 9:16+ (keep = observe the Sabbath), Jn 14:15+ (description of a genuine disciple - love is not just with one's lips but is validated by one's life lived in loving obedience to God), Jn 14:21, 23, 24+ (no love = no obedience = not a believer - Note Jesus is not talking about legalistic obedience but Spirit enabled obedience which is the only obedience that pleases the Father!), Jn 15:10+ (used twice), Jn 15:20+ (used twice), Jn 17:6+ (the 11 disciples), Acts 15:5+, 1Ti 6:14+, James 2:10+, 1Jn 2:3, 4, 5+, 1 John 3:22+, 1Jn 3:24+, 1Jn 5:2, 3+, Rev 1:3+ (heed), Rev 2:26+, Revelation 3:3+, Revelation 3:8+, Revelation 3:10+, Revelation 12:17+, Revelation 14:12+, Rev 22:7+ (heeds), Rev 22:9+. Jesus uses tereo in his "job description" of a genuine Christ follower (disciple) in Mt 28:20+ , where tereo "does not merely speak of the act of obeying His commands, but of a solicitous desire that we do not disobey any of them but on the other hand, that we obey them perfectly." (Wuest) Repent (3340) metanoeo from meta = with, among + noeo = to think, exercise the mind <> from nous = mind; cf metanoia) means to have another mind. Friberg says it literally means to "perceive afterward, with the implication of being too late to avoid consequences." (Analytical Lexicon). Metanoeo means to change one's mind (one's heart) in respect to sin, God, and self. To turn to God and from sin (Luke 15:7,10+ = "one sinner who repents", cf illustration of repentance = 1 Th 1:9+). While repentance involves an intellectual decision, it is more than that because the intellectual decision must produce a change in one's behavior. Repentance is aptly depicted by the military command "About, face!" The repentant person in effect turns around 180 degrees and goes the other direction. And keep in mind that the spiritual dynamics of true repentance are enabled by the Holy Spirit (cf Acts 5:31+, Acts 11:18+, 2 Ti 2:25+). In other words repentance is a work of grace and not merely a human effort, although it does require the repentant individual to make a volitional choice. Repentance then involves the mysterious interaction of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. Further, this change of mind may, especially in the case of Christians who have fallen into sin, be preceded by sorrow (2 Cor 7:8, 9, 10, 11+); but sorrow for sin, though it may cause repentance, is not repentance. Darrell Bock writes "the point is that repentance involves a reorientation of perspective, a fresh point of view. When dealing with God's plan, it means to see that plan in a new way and to orient oneself to it. Luke demonstrates the fruit of repentance expresses itself concretely (Lk 3:10-14+). Repentance expresses itself in life, especially in how one treats others." (Gulp!) There can be no genuine conversion without genuine repentance. John's use of metanoeo in the Revelation especially concentrated in the letters to the 7 churches (8 times out of 12 total uses in the Revelation) - Rev. 2:5+; Rev. 2:16+; Rev. 2:21+; Rev. 2:22+; Rev. 3:3+; Rev. 3:19+; Rev. 9:20+; Rev. 9:21+; Rev. 16:9+; Rev. 16:11+ Thief (2812) kleptes from klépto = steal; kleptomaniac) is a stealer or thief who acts with stealth or subterfuge. The kleptes steals by fraud and in secret (Mt 24:43+; Jn 12:6+) whereas the robber or lestes steals by violence and openly. The NT uses kleptes in a figurative sense to describe the false teachers and deceivers who "steal" men away from the truth. In the present context kleptes is used as a figure of speech ("like a thief" - see term of comparison = simile) to describe the sudden and unexpected appearance of the Day of the Lord. Rod Mattoon - What are the signs of death in a church? • Worship of the past or the worship of men. • Greater concern with form than with life. • Love of tradition over love for Christ. • Inflexibility and resistance to change. • Loss of evangelistic and missionary fervor. • People unwilling to obey God's leading in their lives. • The undermining of leadership through gossip, slander, or lack of love. (Treasures from Revelation) ILLUSTRATION - “There was a little girl who being required to take her birth cert. to school, had lost it on the way. - The janitor saw her crying & asked her what was wrong. - She said, “I’ve lost my excuse for being born”……That was Sardis! Let’s remember why we were born: to Love Him, Serve Him, Worship Him, Obey Him,…w/a all our heart, mind soul, & strength. (Brian Bell) Revelation 3:4 '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 worthy. BGT Revelation 3:4 ἀλλὰ ἔχεις ὀλίγα ὀνόματα ἐν Σάρδεσιν ἃ οὐκ ἐμόλυναν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν, καὶ περιπατήσουσιν μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ ἐν λευκοῖς, ὅτι ἄξιοί εἰσιν. KJV Revelation 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. NET Revelation 3:4 But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. CSB Revelation 3:4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have not defiled their clothes, and they will walk with Me in white, because they are worthy. ESV Revelation 3:4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. NIV Revelation 3:4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. NLT Revelation 3:4 "Yet there are some in the church in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes with evil. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. NRS Revelation 3:4 Yet you have still a few persons in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes; they will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. NJB Revelation 3:4 There are a few in Sardis, it is true, who have kept their robes unstained, and they are fit to come with me, dressed in white. NAB Revelation 3:4 However, you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. YLT Revelation 3:4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis who did not defile their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy. GWN Revelation 3:4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have kept their clothes clean. They will walk with me in white clothes because they deserve it. BBE Revelation 3:4 But you have some names in Sardis who have kept clean their robes; and as a reward they will go in white with me. RSV Revelation 3:4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. NKJ Revelation 3:4 "You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. ASV Revelation 3:4 But thou hast a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. MIT Revelation 3:4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothing. They will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy. You have a few people: Rev 11:13+ *Gr: Ac 1:15+ few: 1Ki 19:18+ Isa 1:9+ Ro 11:4-6+ who: Rev 7:14+ Rev 19:8+ Isa 52:1 Isaiah 59:6 Isaiah 61:3,10+ Isaiah 64:6 Zec 3:3-6 Jude 1:23+ walk: Rev 3:5,18+ Rev 4:4+ Rev 6:11+ Rev 7:9,13+ Rev 19:14+ Es 8:15+ Ps 68:14 Ec 9:8+ Zec 3:4 Mk 16:5+ for: Mt 10:11+ Lu 20:35+ Luke 21:36+ 2Th 1:5+ Revelation 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: James 1:27+ Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Revelation 3:5+ ‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:18+ I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Revelation 4:4+ Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads. Revelation 6:11+ And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also. Revelation 7:9+; After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; Revelation 7:13+ Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” Revelation 19:14+ And the armies which are in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, were following Him on white horses. Psalm 51:7+ Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Ecclesiastes 9:8+ Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head. Daniel 7:9+ “I kept looking Until thrones were set up, And the Ancient of Days took His seat; His vesture was like white snow And the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with flames, Its wheels were a burning fire. Genesis 5:24+ Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him. Matthew 22:8+ (A GOOD DESCRIPTION OF MOST OF CHURCH AT SARDIS) “Then he *said to his slaves, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy (axios). 2 Thessalonians 1:5+ This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy (axios) of the kingdom of God, for which indeed you are suffering. THE COMMENDATION: A FEW ARE WORTHY Sardis was noted for its luxury clothing trade and here Jesus says there are a faithful few who are genuine believers, clothed in His righteousness and shall be arrayed in white garments of the redeemed and share in the triumphal coming of their Lord. But - Contrast with the warning in the previous passage.
Apocalipse 3
Phillips - ILLUSTRATION - An old French count was reduced, by the spendthrift character of his ancestors, to living in a common lodging house in Paris. It was the haunt of nefarious notables of the underworld, of burglars, murderers, and the like. Many a time they tried to get the old gentleman to join them in their lawless enterprises. To all their temptations the old gentleman would reply, as he pulled himself up to his full height, “Excuse me, gentlemen, noblesse oblige. Privilege has its responsibilities. You see, I am a French count. If I were to join in your operations, why, my family name would be besmirched. I should bring disgrace upon the name I bear. No! No! Excuse me! Noblesse oblige.” There were some at Sardis who had adopted that very attitude. They were a virtuous remnant. They had not defiled their garments. When tempted to do something wrong, they would say, “Excuse me, please. I am a member of the royal family of heaven. God is my Father, His Son is my Savior, His Spirit is my comforter and guide, the Lord’s people are my companions. If I did what you suggest, I should bring dishonor on the name I bear. Excuse me, please.” How much temptation we could surmount if we adopted the attitude of that old French count and these Sardian overcomers! (Exploring Revelation - BORROW) C H Spurgeon from sermon A SOLEMN WARNING FOR ALL CHURCHES - Do you meet with many men who hold communion with Christ? Though they may be godly men, upright men, ask them if they hold communion with Christ, and will they understand you? If you give them some of those sweetly spiritual books, that those who hold fellowship love to read, they will say they are mystical, and they do not love them. Ask them whether they can spend an hour in meditation upon Christ, whether they ever rise to heaven and lay their head on the breast of the Saviour, whether they ever know what it is to enter into rest and get into Canaan; whether they understand how he has raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; whether they can often say, “Abundant sweetness while I sing Thy love, my ravish’d heart o’erflows; Secure in thee my God and King Of glory that no period knows.” Ask them that, and they will say, “We don’t comprehend you.” Now, the reason of it is in the first part of my sermon—they have defiled their garments, and therefore Christ will not walk with them. He says “Those that have not defiled their garments shall walk with me.” Those who hold fast the truth, who take care to be free from the prevailing sins of the times, “These,” he says, “shall walk with me; they shall be in constant fellowship with me; I will let them see that I am bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh; I will bring them into the banqueting-house; my banner over them shall be love; they shall drink wine on the lees well refined; they shall have the secrets of the Lord revealed unto them, because they are the people who truly fear me: they shall walk with me in white.” C H Spurgeon on Rev 3:4+ "they will walk with me in white" - We may understand this to refer to justification. “They shall walk in white”; that is, they shall enjoy a constant sense of their own justification by faith; they shall understand that the righteousness of Christ is imputed to them, that they have all been washed and made whiter than the newly-fallen snow. Again, it refers to joy and gladness: for white robes were holiday dresses among the Jews. They who have not defiled their garments shall have their faces always bright; they shall understand what Solomon meant when he said “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart. Let thy garments be always white, for God hath accepted thy works.” He who is accepted of God shall wear white garments of joy and gladness, while he walks in sweet communion with the Lord Jesus. Whence so many doubts, so much misery, and mourning? It is because so many believers defile their garments with sin and error, and hence they lose the joy of their salvation, and the comfortable fellowship of the Lord Jesus, they do not here below walk in white. The promise also refers to walking in white before the throne of God. Those who have not defiled their garments here shall most certainly walk in white up yonder, where the white-robed hosts sing perpetual hallelujahs to the Most High. They shall possess joys inconceivable, happiness beyond a dream, bliss which imagination knoweth not, blessedness which even the stretch of desire hath not reached. The “undefiled in the way” shall have all this—not of merit, nor of works, but of grace. They shall walk with Christ in white, for he has made them “worthy.” In his sweet company they shall drink of the living fountains of waters. (Morning and Evening) WILLIAM BARRICK - Practical Implications Carelessness and a lack of urgency can benumb a church‘s spiritual life. Spiritually immature believers can come to dominate a church and bring it to the point of going out of existence (dying). A lack of knowing and obeying the teachings of the Word of God results in a spiritually sleeping church. Spiritual slumber results in a fleshly and worldly spirit in the church. Rev 3:1-6 – The church at Sardis Ray Pritchard applies the principles in Revelation 3:1-6+ - The church was lethargic because the people were lethargic. That can happen to any of us at any time. And it can happen while we are attending an evangelical church..... The Sardis spirit overtakes us whenever we begin to take God’s gifts for granted. How quickly we can become the Church of the Living Dead and not even know it. Some of us should ask ourselves, “Do I really know the Lord at all?” It would be better to be an out-and-out pagan than to go through life as a “cultural Christian” not really knowing the Lord. At least the pagan knows he is a pagan, but the cultural Christian thinks he is alive when in reality he is dead. Revelation 3:5 'He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. BGT Revelation 3:5 Ὁ νικῶν οὕτως περιβαλεῖται ἐν ἱματίοις λευκοῖς καὶ οὐ μὴ ἐξαλείψω τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῆς βίβλου τῆς ζωῆς καὶ ὁμολογήσω τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ ἐνώπιον τῶν ἀγγέλων αὐτοῦ. KJV Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. NET Revelation 3:5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels. CSB Revelation 3:5 In the same way, the victor will be dressed in white clothes, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels. ESV Revelation 3:5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. NIV Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. NLT Revelation 3:5 All who are victorious will be clothed in white. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life, but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine. NRS Revelation 3:5 If you conquer, you will be clothed like them in white robes, and I will not blot your name out of the book of life; I will confess your name before my Father and before his angels. NJB Revelation 3:5 Anyone who proves victorious will be dressed, like these, in white robes; I shall not blot that name out of the book of life, but acknowledge it in the presence of my Father and his angels. NAB Revelation 3:5 " '"The victor will thus be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name in the presence of my Father and of his angels. YLT Revelation 3:5 He who is overcoming -- this one -- shall be arrayed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the scroll of the life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before His messengers. GWN Revelation 3:5 Everyone who wins the victory this way will wear white clothes. I will never erase their names from the Book of Life. I will acknowledge them in the presence of my Father and his angels. BBE Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will be dressed in white, and I will not take his name from the book of life, and I will give witness to his name before my Father, and before his angels. RSV Revelation 3:5 He who conquers shall be clad thus in white garments, and I will not blot his name out of the book of life; I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. NKJ Revelation 3:5 "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. ASV Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. MIT Revelation 3:5 I will thus dress the one who conquers in white garments. I surely will not erase his name from the life-book. I will also confess his name before my father and his angels. He who (present tense - continually) overcomes: Rev 2:7+ 1Sa 17:25+ be clothed: Rev 3:4+ Rev 19:8+ blot: Ex 32:32-33+ De 9:14+ Ps 69:28 Psalm 109:13 the book: Rev 13:8+ Revelation 17:8+ Revelation 20:12,15+ Revelation 21:27+ Revelation 22:19+ Php 4:3+ confess: Mal 3:17+ Mt 10:32+ Lu 12:8+ Jude 1:24+ Revelation 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Luke 10:20+ Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” Hebrews 12:23+ to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled (apographo in perfect tense = stands registered, speaking of permanence) in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, Exodus 32:32-33+ “But now, if You will, forgive their sin–and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” 33 The LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. Revelation 20:12-15+ (GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT) And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them; and they were judged, every one of them according to their deeds. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. 15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. OVERCOMERS CLOTHED AND CONFESSED It is important to emphasize one truth about this passage and that is WHAT IT DOES NOT TEACH! Jesus in NOT TEACHING that an overcomer, a believer can lose his or her salvation. In fact, Jesus is teaching just the opposite truth, that one cannot lose their salvation. So while there is a difference of opinion among experts on the meaning of the Book of Life, there is no difference of opinion on what Jesus is teaching about salvation. Jesus is not sitting up in Heaven with an "eraser" and watching our deeds and erasing us from the Book of Life when we stumble and fall (which we all do to one degree or another - 1Jn 1:8+). When Jesus died on the Cross, He spoke the Greek word TETELESTAI, which means paid in full. Every sin we have committed, are committing today or will ever commit in the future, has been paid for in full, covered by His precious, redeeming blood, forever and ever. Amen. He who (present tense - continually) overcomes (nikao) - First note that this is not a reference to some spiritually elite believers ("super saints") but to all believers as John explains below. Second, note that overcomes is in the present tense signifying he or she continually has victory. In other words present tense indicates this is their lifestyle, their habitual practice (thus Lenski translates it "To the one conquering."). Thomas adds that the "thought is not that of victory finally achieved at the end of life, which would have been an aorist participle. It is rather the picture of a believer who from the beginning of his faith in Christ to the end of life stands victorious because he keeps on overcoming whatever the enemy has to offer." (Bolding added). Two other points must be remembered - (1) We as followers of Christ are still living in bodies with a sin nature and so there are times when we will sin and in those times we in effect are "overcome" by sin, but that is not our dominant pattern of living. (2) Our dominant pattern of living is more about direction than perfection (that's called glorification!), and the way (the only way) it is possible for that to our dominant or habitual pattern is because Jesus has sent us His supernatural Spirit Who lives in us and continually "energizes" us ("who is at work [energeo]" = continually - present tense in Php 2:13+) continually giving us the desire to overcome our mortal enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, and the power to overcome them, so that we might walk in a manner that pleases our Father in Heaven (Php 2:13NLT+, cf Col 1:10+, Eph 4:1+, 1Th 2:12+). John explains overcomers writing... (see also chart "Who is an Overcomer?") "For whatever is born of God overcomes (nikao in present tense = in Christ we CONTINUALLY HAVE THE VICTORY OVER) the world, (AND ALSO OVER the flesh and the devil!!!); and this is the victory (nike = victory in battle, in the athletic games, over all opponents) that has overcome (nikao in present tense) the world–our faith. (NOT FAITH IN FAITH BUT AS HE EXPLAINS FAITH IN JESUS AS THE SON OF GOD) 5 Who is the one who overcomes (nikao) the world, but he who (present tense - life is characterized by general direction of continually) believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1 John 5:4-5+)
Apocalipse 3
Phillips - Again the Lord's challenge rings forth. He has used these very words before (16 times in the NT). It is a phrase often repeated. In writing from glory to the seven churches of Asia, the Lord uses the expression over and over again (Rev. 2-3). Shakespeare borrowed the expression and used it in a different form when recounting Mark Anthony's speech to the Romans attending Caesar's funeral: "Friends, Romans and countrymen, lend me your ears." The words are a challenge to us to pay attention to what is being said. That is important when listening to any communication. When the speaker is God, it is vital! Avery Willis - The simplest way to receive the Word is to hear it. Even a child or a person who cannot read can hear the Bible. "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear" (Mark 4:23+). "Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17+). Matthew 13:3-23+ lists four kinds of hearers of the Word: the apathetic hearer who hears the Word but is not prepared to receive and understand it (v. 19); the superficial hearer who receives the Word temporarily but does not let it take root in the heart (vv. 20, 21); the preoccupied hearer who receives the Word but lets the worries of this world and the desire for other things choke it out (v. 22); and the reproducing hearer who receives the Word, understands it, bears fruit, and brings forth results (v. 23). (Master Life) Fausset writes that "“Every man ‘hath an ear’ naturally, but he alone will be able to hear spiritually to whom God has given ‘the hearing ear’; whose ‘ear God hath wakened’ and ‘opened." THOUGHT - The picture of "open ears" (and I would add an "open heart") reminds us of Lk 24:45+ where Jesus "opened (dianoigo) their minds to understand (suniemi) the Scriptures!" Truth be told, if the Spirit of Jesus does not open our minds when we open His book, it will be like reading just another book! Pray Ps 119:18+ "Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law." A T Robertson on He who has an ear - An individualizing note calling on each of the hearers (cf Rev 1:3+ = "Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy") to listen and a reminiscence of the words of Jesus in the Synoptics (ED: This challenge to heed Christ's words appears eight times in the gospels and eight times in Revelation. Mt. 11:15+; Mt 13:9, 43+; Mark 4:9+, = He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”, Mk 4:23+; Mk 7:16+; Lk 8:8+; Lk 14:35+ also Rev. 2:7+; Rev. 2:11+; Rev. 2:17+; Rev. 2:29+; Rev. 3:6+; Rev. 3:13+; Rev. 3:22+; Rev. 13:9+), but not in John’s Gospel. Mark Hitchcock - One of my favorite lines from the lips of Jesus is His oft-repeated statement, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." Jesus is saying, "Look, if you have a set of ears on your head you'd better use them and listen up to what I'm about to say." It's a direct challenge to us to be spiritually sensitive to the words of Jesus. The responsibility to listen carefully to Him is serious. As we move into a careful study of Jesus' forecast for the future, I can't think of a better reminder. Let's listen carefully and willingly to the mighty Master as He leads us down the corridors of time to the end of the age. And be ready to follow His instructions about how to live while we wait for that day to come. (See What Jesus Says about Earth's Final Days) Hear (191) akouo primarily means physical hearing of sounds and the apprehension of the sounds with one's mind. Akouo gives us our English acoustics which is the science of designs that helps one hear (We need "spiritual acoustics" to help us hear spiritual truth!). Friberg summarizes akouo - listen to; (1) followed by the genitive to indicate sense perception hear (Acts 9.7+); (2) followed by the accusative to indicate understanding of what was said hear (Acts 9.4+); (3) as a legal technical term give a hearing, grant a court trial ( Jn 7.51+); (4) of being informed about something learn or hear (of) (Mt 14.13+); (5) impersonally avkou,etai it is reported ( 1Co 5.1+); (6) of discipleship listen to, pay attention to, obey ( Lk 9.35+); (7) of inner comprehension understand, be aware of, listen to (Gal 4.21+) (Borrow Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) Akouo in the Revelation - Rev. 1:3+; Rev. 1:10+; Rev. 2:7+; Rev. 2:11+; Rev. 2:17+; Rev. 2:29+; Rev. 3:3+; Rev. 3:6+; Rev. 3:13+; Rev. 3:20+; Rev. 3:22+; Rev. 4:1+; Rev. 5:11+; Rev. 5:13+; Rev. 6:1+; Rev. 6:3+; Rev. 6:5+; Rev. 6:6+; Rev. 6:7+; Rev. 7:4+; Rev. 8:13+; Rev. 9:13+; Rev. 9:16+; Rev. 9:20+; Rev. 10:4+; Rev. 10:8+; Rev. 11:12+; Rev. 12:10+; Rev. 13:9+; Rev. 14:2+; Rev. 14:13+; Rev. 16:1+; Rev. 16:5+; Rev. 16:7+; Rev. 18:4+; Rev. 18:22+; Rev. 18:23+; Rev. 19:1+; Rev. 19:6+; Rev. 21:3+; Rev. 22:8+; Rev. 22:17+; Rev. 22:18+ ILLUSTRATION OF EARS TO HEAR - The Battle of Britain was at its height. Night and day the enemy bombers flew in across the English Channel to unload their cargoes of death and destruction on the cities and villages below. The Royal Air Force had put up a magnificent fight. Sir Winston Churchill, in recounting later what the world owed to that valiant group of men who flew their battered Hurricanes and Spitfires against incalculable odds, declared, "Never before in the field of human conflict have so many owed so much to so few." In one lonely RAF outpost, a group of fighter pilots was gathered in the mess hall. It was a scene often repeated in those days. The men were worn out with fatigue, they were dirty and disheveled, their eyes were bleary, and beards sprouted on their chins. They were snatching a moment's relaxation before climbing the skies again to fight off more of the Nazi airwolves. Suddenly a buzzer sounded, and a voice came over the intercom from the operations room. "Bandits at fifteen thousand feet over P25. Over!" At once the pilots were on their feet and racing for the runways. Pausing on his way, the squadron leader barked back into the intercom one short reply: "Message received and understood." Vance Havner - Are You Listening? Speak; for thy servant heareth. I Samuel 3:10. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 11:15+. He that hath an ear, let him hear. Revelation 2:7+. It is an oft-recurring word from our Lord, found throughout the Gospels—"He that hath ears to hear..." Some have ears—period! Samuel was listening—and God spoke. God has much to say today, but we have "ears to hear, and hear not" (Ezek. 12:2+). Some stop their ears (Acts 7:57+). Some turn their ears from the truth (2Ti 4:4+). Some have itching ears (2Ti 4:3+). Are you tuned in on God? It is said that John Burroughs, the naturalist, could walk along a noisy street and overhear a cricket in the hedge. His ear was tuned to the little voices of nature. You can make your way through the hubbub and still keep in touch with heaven. Samuel was listening. The boy who listens for God to speak will hear Him, for God is looking for such boys. God's men have been men of a double resolve: "I will hear what God the Lord will speak" (Ps. 85:8); and then, "What the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak" (1Ki 22:14+). Related Resource: ARE YOU LISTENING? Sermon by Joseph Parker - "If any man have ears." What are some Bible verses about listening? | GotQuestions.org Vance Havner adds - A lot of Sunday-morning Christians, who want to sit with folded hands and listen to a mild discourse on the Teacher of Galilee, need to be aroused from their stupor by a vision of the flaming Christ of the Candlesticks. Eight times in these messages to the churches He says, "He that hath an ear, let him hear." Eight times in the Gospels He says, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." Some of us have ears ... period. "Hearing we hear not." We sit at church looking but not listening. God grant us ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches! And eyes to behold the Lord of the Lampstands bidding us "Repent ... or else!" Vance Havner - Learn How to Listen We spend much time and money learning how to speak when we need to learn how to listen. "... hearing they hear not" (Matt. 13:13+). "... if any man hear my words" (John 12:47+). "He that hath ears, let him hear" (Mark 4:9+). After all, we have two ears to hear with and only one mouth to speak with—thank the Lord! QUESTION - What did Jesus mean when He said, “He who has ears to hear”? ANSWER - In the Gospels, Jesus speaks of those who have “ears to hear” at the end of a difficult saying or parable (e.g., Matthew 11:15+; Mark 4:9, 23+). Who is “he who has ears to hear”? Better yet, who is “he who has ears”? Ears are a feature shared by all of humanity—to not have ears would be an unnatural occurrence. Therefore, when Jesus addresses those who have ears, He refers to all who have been given His words—no matter their age, ethnicity, language, or status. But there is a difference between having ears and having “ears to hear.” Jesus’ parable of the sower and the seed contrasts types of hearers: those who let the Word of God pass straight through their ears and those who truly listen and seek understanding (Mark 4:13–20+). Some hear the Word, yet they do not allow it to take root because the seduction of worldly pleasures and comfort overcomes them. Others end up rejecting the Word because of persecution or trials. Others hear the Word and open themselves to understand and accept it so that it transforms them. Those who have “ears to hear” allow the Word to bear fruit to the glory of God. It is up to the hearer to decide whether to take the Word seriously and pursue understanding; only a few are willing—the rest have ears, but they do not have “ears to hear” (Matthew 7:13–14, 24–27+). Whenever Jesus says, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” He is calling for people to pay careful heed. It’s another way of saying, “Listen up! Pay close attention!” Speaking in parables was one way in which Jesus sought to gain the attention of the crowds —people love stories, and the parables depicted events and characters with which they could readily relate. But unless they were willing to tune out other distractions and come to Jesus to understand the meaning of His preaching, His words would be only empty stories. They needed more than ears, however keen they were; they needed ears to hear. When asked by His disciples why He was speaking to the crowds in parables, Jesus refers to Isaiah 6, which speaks of people who have eyes and ears, yet who have hardened their hearts and chosen to ignore the Word of the Lord (Matthew 13:10–15+; cf. Isaiah 6:8–10+). Part of the judgment on those who refuse to believe is that they will eventually lose their opportunity to believe: “Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them” (Matthew 13:12+; cf. Romans 1:18–32+). A similar phrase is found in Revelation in each of the seven letters to the churches: “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29+; Revelation 3:6, 13, 22+). And in Revelation 13:9+, immediately following a description of the Antichrist, we read, “Whoever has ears, let them hear.” The readers of Revelation are called upon to pay close attention and seek God’s wisdom concerning what’s written. Who is “he who has ears”? The simple answer: all people who have been or are being given the words of God. Like the parables’ original audience, we must also “Listen up! Pay close attention!” Jesus’ simple request is that we use our God-given faculties (eyes to see, ears to hear) to tune in to His words (John 10:27+ –28; Mark 4:24+; Revelation 3:20+). “For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open” (Mark 4:22+). Seeking God’s truth takes energy and focus; it takes a willingness to be challenged and changed. While the way of God’s truth is not the most convenient or fun path to take, we can be assured that it is the best one (John 1:4+; John 10:9+; John 14:6+). And so He bids us, “Come” (Matthew 11:28+ –30). Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. (Isaiah 55:1–3) GotQuestions.org Vance Havner - The Deaf Generation In Caesarea we saw an outdoor theatre, not an amphitheatre, but a semicircular stone auditorium. From the back row we could hear our leader speak in conversational tones from the platform. Moreover, he told us that a larger theatre in Ephesus that could hold twenty-four thousand was constructed centuries ago with the same marvelous acoustics. All this in a day when in my travels all over America I have had congregations of a hundred or so complain that they could not hear in a tiny church! Larger edifices wrestle continually with the problem. All our experts somehow cannot come up with the acoustics of antiquity! How many times have listeners in little auditoriums lamented that hearing was bad only a few yards from the pulpit! Could it be that we slaves of our own devices have become so accustomed to hearing aids of all sorts that we imagine we cannot hear without them? We limp on our crutches and if the amplifier does not work "hearing we hear not" (Matthew 13:13+). Once I listened to the veteran evangelist, Gipsy Smith. He was a preacher of the old days and abhorred all new devices. I thought I could not hear him and when he asked if any of us were having trouble about it, I raised my hand. "You're not listening!" was his reply. Could it be that, conditioned as we are to mechanical aids, we just think we cannot hear the preacher? And of course those dear souls who come to church early to get a back seat could move up closer and fill that empty lumberyard of ten rows of seats right in front of the pulpit. But they never do, yet still insist that they cannot hear! "Ears that hear not." "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Mark 4:9+). Ears to hear! All of us are equipped with ears but hearing is another matter. We hear and we do not hear. Our ears catch vocal sounds emanating from the pulpit, but the message escapes us. We hear (after a fashion) what the minister says but our Lord said, "Let him hear what the Spirit saith..." (Revelation 2:7+). Of course sometimes the preacher is not saying what the Spirit says and if we listened ever so well there would be no word from God. Or the trouble, may be not with the transmitter but with our receiver! There is a preparation to hear the sermon as well as a preparation to deliver the sermon. We live now in an ear-splitting age of amplified dissonance and some think the next generation will have to be equipped with hearing aids. The more our eardrums are bombarded with demonic waves of music (which is not music but only an excuse for not being able to make music), the deafer our souls will be. Something has gone wrong with our hearing—both physically and spiritually. We are not going to correct it by clever devices. We must get at the cause. We need to do something about how we hear as well as what we hear. There is famine of the hearing of the Word of God—a famine because in some quarters it is not being preached and in others because our ears are not tuned and trained to hear it. God grant us more Samuels who can say, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth" (1 Samuel 3:9+)! Rob
Apocalipse 3
Phillips - There are mysteries of beauty, of brilliance, and of blessing in Jesus not yet revealed to a wondering universe, as when the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon and said, "Behold the half was not told me." But something of that unknown glory will be written into the shining countenances of the overcomers. His old name was Jehovah. How much that name unfolds! His present name is Jesus, and what a volume of revelation there is in that! As for His new name, "eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him" (1 Cor. 2:9+). We must be content with that. (BORROW Exploring Revelation) Steve Lawson adds that "Christ's new name symbolizes the full revelation of His divine person. Presently, we can't even begin to grasp the full magnitude of His unveiled glory. But at the time of our arrival into heaven, we shall know Him -- exponentially so!...One day we, as overcomers, will see Christ face to face and will behold His glory. Overwhelmed in amazement, we will grown beyond all present thoughts in our knowledge of Him." (Final call - BORROW)
Apocalipse 3
Phillips - Imagine a doctor being lukewarm about disease. You feel sick, so you drag yourself along to his office. He feels your pulse, takes your temperature, and tells you to pay the nurse on the way out. You say, "Well, just a minute, what's wrong with me, doctor?" He looks up from the papers on his desk and says, "What's wrong with you? Oh, there's nothing to worry about. You've got a bad case of bubonic plague." You look at him in astonishment and say, "But aren't you going to give me an injection or put me in the hospital? People don't just walk around with bubonic plague, do they? It's catching, isn't it? What about my family? What about all those people in your waiting room? What about me? People die of bubonic plague, don't they?" The doctor just looks at you mildly and says, "That's all right, my friend. You have to die sometime. It might just as well be of bubonic plague as cancer or a coronary. Diseases don't interest me too much. Now, if you needed surgery, well, that's more my line." Imagine a doctor lukewarm about disease! Imagine a church lukewarm about Christ! It makes as much sense. A little girl came home from Sunday school, and her mother asked her to recite the text she had learned: "Many are called but few are chosen." It came out like this: "Many are cold and a few are frozen!" "Apatheists" Because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. — Revelation 3:16+ Today's Scripture: Revelation 3:14-19+ Most people profess belief in God, meaning they are theists. True atheism is a rarity. Recently, however, it has been suggested that we need a new term for the multitude who are theists but are indifferent to God in daily living. They ought to be called apatheists. That word is built on the noun apathy, which means “indifference,” a sort of sluggish unconcern. And sadly, whatever belief an individual professes, he may be living as an apatheist. His faith may make only a minimal difference in his behavior. The apostle John recorded that Jesus described the church at Laodicea as neither hot nor cold (Revelation 3:16+). They were lukewarm or, as we might say, they were apatheists. What about those of us who profess faith in Jesus? Are we lukewarm? We pray, but is our praying a mere obligation? We attend church and may even engage in some form of Christian service. Yet is all of that a matter of routine, like brushing our teeth or cleaning our house? Have we lost our first love, the zeal we had early in our spiritual journey? Today, let’s make the psalmist’s prayer our own: “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6). By: Vernon Grounds Revive us again, Fill each heart with Thy love, May each soul be rekindled With fire from above. —Mackay Without a heart aflame for God, we cannot shine for Jesus. QUESTION - Why did Jesus speak so strongly against lukewarm faith? Watch the Accompanying Video ANSWER - In Revelation 3:14–21+, the Lord is describing the “lukewarm” heart attitude of those in the Laodicean church, an attitude manifested by their deeds. The Laodiceans were neither cold nor hot in relation to God, just lukewarm. Hot water can cleanse and purify; cold water can refresh and enliven. But lukewarm water carries no similar value. The Laodiceans understood the Lord’s analogy because their city drinking water came over an aqueduct from a spring six miles to the south, and it arrived disgustingly lukewarm. Laodicean water was not hot like the nearby hot springs that people bathed in, nor was it refreshingly cold for drinking. It was lukewarm, good for nothing. In fact, it was nauseating, and that was the Lord’s response to the Laodiceans—they sickened Him, and He said, “I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:16+). The letter to the church at Laodicea is the harshest of the seven letters to the churches in Asia Minor. By His indictment of their “deeds” (Revelation 3:15+), Jesus makes it clear that this is a dead church. The members of this church see themselves as “rich” and self-sufficient, but the Lord sees them as “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Rev 3:17+). Their lukewarm faith was hypocritical; their church was full of unconverted, pretend Christians. Jesus frequently equates deeds with a person’s true spiritual state: “By their fruit you will recognize them,” and “Every good tree bears good fruit” (Matthew 7:16–17+). Clearly, the lukewarm deeds of the Laodiceans were not in keeping with true salvation. The deeds of the true believer will be “hot” or “cold”—that is, they will benefit the world in some way and reflect the spiritual passion of a life transformed. Lukewarm deeds, however—those done without joy, without love, and without the fire of the Spirit—do harm to the watching world. The lukewarm are those who claim to know God but live as though He doesn’t exist. They may go to church and practice a form of religion, but their inner state is one of self-righteous complacency. They claim to be Christians, but their hearts are unchanged, and their hypocrisy is sickening to God. The fact that the lukewarm individuals to whom Christ speaks are not saved is seen in the picture of Jesus standing outside of the church (Revelation 3:20+). He has not yet been welcomed into their midst. In love, the Lord rebukes and disciplines them, commanding them to repent (Rev 3:19+). He sees their lukewarm attitudes as “shameful nakedness” that needs to be clothed in the white garments of true righteousness (Rev 3:18+). He urges them to be earnest, or zealous, and commit themselves totally to Him. Our Lord is gracious and long-suffering and gives the lukewarm time to repent. The Laodiceans enjoyed material prosperity that, coupled with a semblance of true religion, led them to a false sense of security and independence (see Mark 10:23+). The expression “I am rich; I have acquired wealth” (Revelation 3:17+) stresses that the wealth attained came though self-exertion. Spiritually, they had great needs. A self-sufficient attitude and lukewarm faith are constant dangers when people live lives of ease and prosperity. GotQuestions.org (BOLDING ADDED) David