Revelation 3
by David Groendyk

The seven churches in Revelation 2–3 are meant to be the original recipients of the book of Revelation, but these seven very different groups of believers are also meant to represent different types of Christians and churches throughout all of history. For each of these churches, God gives warnings of judgment for unbelief and promises of life for those who conquer. Both the warnings and promises are meant for you even as you read this chapter today.

I’ll be up-front that a lot of what I write today I’ve taken from some sermons by Kevin DeYoung. I found his explanations of these churches extremely helpful and relevant for today.

The church in Sardis (vv. 1–6) looks like it is alive, but it is actually dead. They’re sleepwalking through the Christian life. They’re nominal Christians only, just like what Jesus said of the Pharisees: white-washed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but are filled with death on the inside (Matt. 23:27). To put it in modern terms, Sardis may be considered a sleepy, Bible belt church or a flashy, shallow megachurch—great reputations on the outside, but no real life on the inside. Christ’s command to them is: wake up! Realize that you are spiritually dead! Just because you look like a Christian on the outside and just because you can go through the motions of reading the Bible and attending church doesn’t mean you are really saved. We all must be diligent in examining ourselves to make sure we are in the faith. We all must be sure that our outward religion is flowing forth from a heart that has been transformed by Christ.

The church in Philadelphia (vv. 7–13) is one of two churches in these chapters for whom Christ has all encouragement and no warning (Smyrna is the other). This church appears weak outwardly, and yet they have held fast to the faith. They are struggling, but they are strong. And so Christ exhorts them to press on, hold fast, don’t give up. While Smyrna in chapter 2 faces persecution and slander, the church in Philadelphia is simply small and unimpressive, being trampled upon by those in power. They’re a tiny country church who continue to be faithful. This church is a good reminder that though many things will not go our way in this life, we are to remain strong in the Lord. We will end up sacrificing earthly pleasures, earthly securities, and earthly comforts for the sake of pursuing Christ. And by all earthly measures, that makes us weak. But it is in our weakness that Christ gets to show us his great power. Therefore, do not lose heart or grow weary. Press on, and lean on God’s grace which is sufficient for you.

The church in Laodicea (vv. 14–22) is unique. Every other church has something good about it. Even Sardis has a faithful few who still walk with Christ (v. 4). But the church in Laodicea is the only church for whom Christ has zero praise. Famously, they are neither hot nor cold. They are lukewarm, good for nothing. They are affluent and apathetic, stale and stagnant in their faith. They think they have everything together, not realizing that they are spiritually poor. This may be likened to a ritzy, influential church nowadays. Christ’s command is to be zealous. In many ways, Laodicea is the polar opposite of Philadelphia. The Laodiceans have “made it”. They’re quite comfortable in this life. But as comfort often does, it has made them stagnant and apathetic. This is why Christ has nothing but warning for them, because earthly comforts lull you to sleep, and if you don’t stay vigilant, you’ll find yourself drifting far from Christ. Big, nasty, open sins are easy to see, and therefore it’s easy to see when you’re wandering from God. Apathy, on the other hand, slowly lures you away from God without you even knowing. Hence, the command: be zealous, passionate, dedicated, earnest in pursuing Christ at all times. Don’t get lulled to sleep, or you just may find yourself in grave danger.

Many of us will see ourselves in these different churches at different points in our lives, but whether we are Smyrna or Laodicea, the general command is the same: stay faithful and zealously pursue Christ, and by doing that, you will be a conqueror who will receive eternal life.