Awakening the Church: Lessons from Revelation 3

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 2:9).

To the Angel of the Church in Sardis: The Dying Church – Revelation 3:1-6

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead. Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God (verses 1-2).

Sardis was a church with works but not much life. It once had a reputation of being alive, but was dead. A graphic description of some ministries today! G. Campbell Morgan called it “reputation with no reality.” Christ warns the saints to: (1) Be watchful. (2) Strengthen the few things you do have. Remember the Word you have received and heard. (4) Hold fast and be ready when I come. Verse 5-6 references true believers who have their names recorded in the Lamb’s Book of Life ( Rev.13:8; 21:27).

To the Church in Philadelphia; The Serving Church – Revelation 3:7-13

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:

“I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have followed My word, and have not denied My name.”

“The Church of the Open Door”

Philadelphia means “brotherly love.” They used the opportunities (the open doors) provided by the Lord as the door opener. This is implied in verse 8a. Christ knew their deeds, and so He put before them an open door of ministry. We should note that “put” of the NASB, or “set” of the KJV, or “placed” of the NIV is the perfect tense of Greek didwmi which literally means, “I give.” It is used according to context in the sense of “bestow, grant, supply, deliver, commit, and entrust.” Note: open doors of opportunities are gifts from the Savior. It does not matter how hard we think we have worked. Opening the doors to this ministry or that one is not in our control. Without Him, they would not open. Second, open doors are trusts given to us for faithful stewardship just as with our spiritual gifts or our finances. If we are faithful to live fully in His life, He will supply opportunities for service. He will also supply opportunities for ministry. Matthew 25:23 reads: “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’

To the Church of Laodicea: The Apostate Church – Revelation 3:14-22

“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of the creation of God, says this:

 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, 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 the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to apply to your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. The one who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father on His throne. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Apostate means one who commits apostasy. According Merriam-Websters, apostasy is:¹

1: an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith

2: abandonment of a previous loyalty 

The Laodiceans were neither cold nor hot regarding God, just lukewarm. Jesus chastised the Laodicean church for their lukewarm condition. This was the deplorable state of indifference in their loyalty and affections. He is describing the “lukewarm” heart attitude of those in the Laodicean church, an attitude manifested by their deeds. It is a church that has been diluted with error. The tragedy is that the church is “rich” and doesn’t know it is poor, pitiful, blind and naked. The picture of the apostate church today.

It was nauseating. 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” (verse 16). Revelation3:16-17 reads, “ So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have no need of anything,” and you do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked, “

Within each of these seven churches we can see similarities in the church today. In many ways the church today has lost her first love. Seven times Christ calls the churches to hear what the Spirit is saying. When churches stop listening to the voice of the Spirit through the Word of God, they start to turn away. They start listening to the voices of false teachers. As believers, we must not deny the faith (2:23). Preaching another gospel can neither save, deliver, nor heal. Even if it costs us our lives we must keep His word (3:8, 10) and not deny His name. Apart from the Word of God their is no life or hope for the church today.

Blessings,

Notes: Unless otherwise identified, scripture quotations are taken from the New International Version

1. “Apostasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apostasy. Accessed 30 Oct. 2023.

A. Francine Green is an ordained minister and the author of Daughter of the King: Possessing Your Spiritual Inheritance .