Believe in good or in God? (Rev 3)

Believe in good or in God?

Rev 3:1-21
Rev 3:19-20

In the last passage, we learned about four churches out of the seven. In today’s passage, Jesus continues to address to the rest of the seven.

I. To the church in Sardis

Sardis was located about thirty miles south of Thyatira and built on a hill, which was some fifteen hundred feet high. The hill had nearly perpendicular walls on three sides and the city could be approached only from the south via a steep path. Its location caused the people of Sardis to be overconfident of their security.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” 

The church in Sardis had a reputation of being alive. She must have been an active church. But Jesus declared that she was dead. This shocking word puzzles us. We wonder why the church was dead though she looked alive. Let’s find out why the church was dead.

“² Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

Jesus said that their deeds were found unfinished, incomplete, and imperfect in the sight of God. The people there had received and heard the gospel with ardor but never bore the fruit of the word. They had worship service, prayer meetings, retreats, voluntary works, fund raising bazars and rummage sales, and so on. But strangely the power of the gospel was not there. They talked about God, but the presence of God was not there. There was Bible study but there was no sincere repentance of their sins and thus no salvation from God. Even worse, they thought they were doing well. To Jesus, the church was dead like Cologne Cathedral in German, which looks magnificent and beautiful but no life in it except tourists. The church in Sardis was alive only in name but actually dead. So, he said to them, “Wake up! Hold the word of God fast again and repent.”

Though Sardis was impregnable, it had been captured twice (in 547 BC. by Cyrus II, and in 214 BC. by Antiochus III) because watchmen fell asleep and failed to detect an enemy army sneaking up its cliffs and walls. Like the watchmen and the whole city, the church congregation was asleep, not realizing that Jesus would come to judge them at an unexpected time. In that sense, the command to “wake up” was a strong reminder and warning for them. A dead church cannot but be judged and removed by Jesus who holds the seven stars.

However, Jesus did not give up on the church in Sardis. The church was dead but not completely yet. They still had something with them; they knew the word of God. That was what remained among them. They needed to wake up by strengthening the word of God and repenting. Jesus also encouraged them through a few people among them.

“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. ⁵ The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.”

A few people in Sardis received the gospel and also believed it, held on to it, and bore the fruit of the word. Jesus said they were worthy of walking with Jesus, being dressed in white. The white cloth here denotes salvation and worthiness. The one who was victorious would be saved and honored.

Jesus also promised that he would not blot out the name of the victor from the eternal book of life and would acknowledge him before God. (Greek cities maintained a list of citizens in a public register. When someone was condemned for a criminal action, he lost his citizenship and his name was then erased from the register.)

In sum, the church in Sardis is rebuked for her being dead. They had no power of the gospel of Jesus because they never truly repented their sins with the word of God. Over time she backslid into spiritual slumber, still thinking she was ok and not knowing Jesus’ impending judgment. The church without repentance has no life and power coming from Jesus and so she will eventually disappear. Sadly, there are so many churches for sale these days because they are dead! The number of church members is not important. The church building is not really important. What really is important is whether the life of Jesus is in the church. The life of Jesus is given when the church addresses people’s sins seriously and leads them to Jesus who died for their sins.

You have received the gospel of Jesus, haven’t you? Do you have the fruit of the gospel of Jesus? Do you have the power and life the gospel of Jesus gives? Or do you have changes in you prompted by the Holy Spirit? If not, you are like the church in Sardis. Outwardly, you may be alive but in the sight of God you are dying like the boiling frog. (An 1872 experiment by Heinzmann demonstrated that a normal frog would not attempt to escape if the water was heated slowly enough and then die.)

Just knowing the gospel of Jesus is one thing and accepting it until we bear the life in Jesus is another. This is Jesus’ word for us - “Wake up! Hold the word of God fast again and repent.”

II. To the church in Philadelphia

Philadelphia lies near a fertile valley, especially suited for growing wine grapes. The worship of Zeus and the Roman imperial cult were present by the first century AD. And there was a synagogue in that city. The church in Philadelphia stood at an important junction of the imperial post road that ran from Rome through Troas and Sardis on to the East.

“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”

This means that he has authority to admit to or exclude from the kingdom of God. (Isa 22:22; Rev 4:1)  What did he know about the church in Philadelphia?

“⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. ⁹ I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. ¹¹ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”

Jesus knew that they had little strength but kept his word and did not deny his name despite severe persecution, particularly from Jews. They endured hardships, being faithful to Jesus. Jesus fully understood their difficulties, expressing his great empathy and his compassion for them. Here were his promises:

·         He would make their enemies of the synagogue of Satan, come and fall down at their feet and acknowledge that Jesus truly loved them.

·         Jesus would protect them from the hour of trial that would come onto the whole world.

·         Jesus would come soon. That means that their suffering would come to end soon.

What are the rewards for the one who is victorious?

“¹² The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.”

Jesus would make him a pillar in the temple of God. Philadelphia was located in an earthquake-prone region called the Catacecaumene. So, temples were built to withstand severe earthquakes and they would be the most secure structure in the city. Likewise, a pillar of the temple denoted security and permanency. But the pillar in the temple of God was much securer and holy because it upheld the sanctuary where God resided. Like the pillar of the temple of God, they would stand before God forever.

Jesus would write on them the name of God and the name of the city of God. An earthquake took place in AD 17 and ruined Philadelphia. Emperor Tiberius helped reconstruct Philadelphia and the city was named "Neocaesarea" in honor of his name. But Jesus promised his suffering church an infinitely greater name, “the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God.” They would have a great honor of bearing God’s name.

Jesus would also write on them his new name. That meant that they would be identified and recognized as his people, the most honored and privileged people.  

In sum, the church in Philadelphia was commended for keeping Jesus’ word, though she was at the end of her rope. Jesus said to them, “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have.” Actually, they were almost there. A little more patience would be rewarded soon. They should not give up but instead should be faithful to the end, gathering their last strength, and then they would be victorious.

Are you exhausted, following the Lord? Do you get to the point where you think you cannot go further? When we are in suffering, we feel exhausted and want to give up. What is Jesus’ word for us? “Hold on to my word. Hang in there a little longer! A little more patience and faith will lead you to the one-step higher place and eventually to the kingdom of God.” Hold on to what you have. He knows your hardship, sacrifice, and patience. Jesus is coming. He wants to give permanent security and presence in his kingdom.

III. To the church in Laodicea

Laodicea was approximately 17 km west of Colossae, and 10 km south of Hierapolis. Since it was on a trade route, it became one of the most important and flourishing commercial cities of Asia Minor, in which large money transactions and an extensive trade in black wool were carried on.

“¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. ¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Jesus pointed out that the church in Laodicea was lukewarm – neither hot nor cold. Cold and hot water represent something positive. The waters of the nearby Lycus River were undrinkable and dried up in summer. But nearby Hierapolis was famed for its hot springs and Colossae was noted for a cold, clear water for drinking. So, Laodicea built a long aqueduct to get the waters from these two cities. But while the waters came through the ducts, they became lukewarm and even foul, making people sick.

Jesus found the church in Laodicea also tepid and repugnant like the waters. The church was totally useless and even gross to Jesus. Why?

“¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

In AD. 60, Laodicea was damaged along with other nearby cities by an earthquake. The other cities received imperial disaster relief but Laodicea proudly declined it because it was rich. Like the city, the church in Laodicea was rich and self-sufficient and so she was proud and complacent. Probably, they had a good church building, a lot of offerings from the church members, good people, and many programs and events. The church didn’t have to struggle to survive in the city. She did not lack anything. What a blessed church!

But Jesus said that they were actually wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. Why?

Because of her complacency, the people there did not feel they needed anything even spiritual blessings. The people in the church still served God but they lacked passion and zeal for God. Even when they were in the Sunday worship service, their minds went to somewhere – the video games they did not finish the last night, the movies they watched, the emails continually popping up on their smartphones, the dinner appointment with friends Sunday night, the food left in their refrigerator, and so on. Their lack of spiritual desire took away from them all the blessings Jesus wanted to give them. They did not see how great God’s blessings given to them were. Rather, they looked after good stuff and benefits, which would be gone soon. They were like a child who rejects an invitation to a decent dinner in order to eat a one-dollar meal at McDonalds. In the sight of God, they were foolish, pitiful, poor, and blind. Spiritually, they were bankrupt. Nevertheless, Jesus still did not give up on them.

“¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.”

Jesus wanted to give them much better than what they had. He had gold refined in the fire. This refers to the salvation and the inheritance of God’s kingdom, which are given through Jesus’ suffering and death. This gold lasts forever and would make them truly rich. White clothes Jesus gives refer to righteousness and honor since they were washed in the blood of Jesus. (7:14) This white cloth is required to enter the kingdom of God. Otherwise, we will be greatly shamed and thrown out of his kingdom. Laodicea was famous for salve, which was a kind of medical ointment used to soothe eyes and skins. They applied salve to their eyes but never helped them see spiritual things. But the salve that Jesus was offering would heal their spiritual blindness to see the richness in the kingdom of God. Jesus wanted them to see and value his blessings.

“¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Jesus was standing at the door and knocking. If they welcomed Jesus in, Jesus would eat with them, which was a picture of close personal fellowship. With Jesus and through Jesus, they could receive the true richness and blessings that come from God. Jesus is the only source of all blessings and his blessing is found in his suffering and death for us.

“²¹ To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Laodicea was a "throne city" because a citizen Zeno became king of Cilicia in 39 B.C. and of Pontus in 36. So they were proud of their city. Likewise, the church in Laodicea was proud of herself. But to those who overcome, Jesus would give the right to sit with him on his throne and rule all nations. This is a far much greater privilege and honor.

In short, the church in Laodicea was rebuked for her lukewarm attitude. She was so complacent that she did not see her spiritual bankruptcy and missed the richness in Jesus. Like them, when we are complacent and seek good stuff, we have less desire for Jesus and then eventually could leave the church.

Recently, a new type of mega church is taking root across the USA. They gather on Sunday, singing, sharing fellow and information, hearing interesting talk, etc. as many churches do. But this is not a typical church but is so called “atheist church.”  The members are people who left their faith but now miss the community church provided and those who do not have religious affiliation. Their motto is “Live Better. Believe in good.” They seek good stuff rather than God.

Do you come to the church to believe in good or believe in God?

Many modern Christians look for an easy-going life, trying to be a “good” Christian rather than being a suffering Christian. They look for a good church building, good church members, good fellowship, and a good system, but there is no life in such things. They do not make you rich. Rather, you could end up with spiritual bankruptcy. The truly blessed and rich people are those who are poor in spirit, who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, who are pure in heart, and who are persecuted for Jesus’ name. (Matt 5:3-10) Jesus has promised that they will inherit the kingdom of God. Jesus wants us to be hungry and thirsty Christians not complacent Christians.

The recent typhoon that hit the Philippines hard has affected more than 10 million people. They asked, “Where is God?” But after the typhoon passed, a woman, who was used to be an unbeliever, has begun to go to church because her suffering made her humble and helped her look for God and find peace in him. She said, "In my prayers, I give thanks that I survived the typhoon."

True goodness is in Jesus. True richness is in Jesus’ suffering and death. And Jesus’ suffering and death is appreciated when we are hungry in spirit. Now Jesus wants you to desire him more and seek him more. If you do so, you are a truly rich and happy person.

So far, we have studied about the seven churches and learned that all of them, whether praised or rebuked, had different issues. The church in Ephesus was full of truth but lacked love. The church in Smyrna was suffering but rich. The church in Pergamum was faithful but compromised with paganism. The church in Thyatira was faithful but was misled to sexual immorality by false teachings. The church in Sardis was dead though she had a reputation of being alive. The church in Philadelphia was suffering and exhausted. And the church in Laodicea was lukewarm.

Regardless, however, Jesus encouraged them all to be victorious by overcoming their difficulties and problems. They should restore their love for Jesus, wake up, be faithful to the end, be earnest, and repent. Why? It was because they were God’s people, who should be worthy of the kingdom of God.

Likewise, we also should be fitting for the kingdom of God by being changed and growing in Jesus’ holiness and love. Jesus is coming. Yes, he is coming! That is the most certain, urgent, and important thing because he will see the fruit of each person and judge us according to what we have done. That is why we should desire him more and grow in his holiness and love. May God bless all of us to be a truly rich and blessed as God’s people.

by David Yun