Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea

Rev. 3

Lesson 6
 

 The second division as outlined in Rev. 1:19 comes to an end as we conclude Rev. chapter 3.

Review

Ephesus

Smyrna

Pergamos - the Church of compromise

Thyatira - continuous sacrifice
 

         I.      The Church of Sardis

a.       Sardis carries the thought of a measuring line or builder’s rule.

1.       We call it the period of Renaissance of the 15-18^th centuries.

a)  In 1550 first book printed was called the 42 line Bible.

b)  It paved way for Bible to be in hands of people who could search it for themselves.

2.       The great reformation

a)  Luther – leader in Germany and Scandinavian countries

1)       Lutheran Church

2)       Reform groups.

b)  John Calvin – Leader of French, Swiss Anti-Baptist and Dutch Reform group.

c)  John Knox followed John Calvin’s teaching in reaching Scotland.

1)       Presbyterians  - in all 1300 protestant groups.

b.       Though God used mighty men to start reformation, it ended in dead cold Orthodoxy (Vs. 1, 2)

1.       One of the reasons was Paul’s letters were largely unknown.

a)  Creeds were a way of life.

2.       The return of Christ was left out of preaching.

c.       God’s encouragement (Vs 4, 5)

1.       Walk in white – marriage supper of the Lamb. Rev. 19:8  purity.

2.       Book of life

3.       Name confessed before the Father ( Matt. 10: 32,33)

       II.      The Church of Philadelphia

a.       Means “brotherly love”

1.       This Church stands for the great spiritual awakening which leads to the missionary stirring that reaches unto our day.

a)  William Carey, Hudson Taylor, David Livingston

b)  Missions were founded that reached out into every part of the world, both home and foreign.

b.       The keys of David

1.       Our Lord is called the Son of David and will rule as King over all the earth (Zech 14:9,16).

2.       The keys are authority to open and close.

3.       Christ places before us an open door of service, and He also closes doors of service.

c.       “Little strength but kept my Word and not denied my Name.”( Vs. 8)

1.       In order to keep the Word, it must be obeyed ( John 14:23)

2.       No fault is found with this church, much like Smyrna.

3.       Phil 4:13 is key.

d.       Promise of Victory (Vs 9,10)

1.       Verse 9 a warning to Jews.

2.       Victory to believers (Vs 10)

a)  Along with I Thess. 5:9 why we believe we will not go through the tribulation. In the Greek, “ek” means out of..

b)  Hope – “Behold I come quickly.” (Tit 2:13, Rev 22:20) (I Thess. 4:13-18)

e.       Exhortation and reward (Vs 11b-13)

1.       Hold fast (II John 8) – rewards for service.

2.       A new name ( Rev. 22:4)

3.       The New Jerusalem is as literal as the New Heaven and New Earth.

      III.      Church of Laodicea (1900 to end)

a.       Means “right of the people”

1.       Stands for democratic rule

2.       Suggest a Church that follows men and not God

3.       The Word of God is set aside and men’s feelings and thoughts become the rule of thumb.

b.       Laodicea are rebuked because of their works (Vs 14b-16)

1.       Christ reminds the Laodicans that all things come from Him who is the creator of all.

2.       I know thy works.

a)  Seventh time He says to the Churches, “ I know thy works.”

b)  Omniscience is a divine attribute.

c)  Luke warm is used only once in the entire Bible and it speaks of tepid water

3.       We could say it resulted from a combination of Sardis and Philadelphia.

4.       Verse 16 says, “I will spit you out of my mouth.”

5.       The promise of Lords return is not mentioned to this Church.

6.       What the Church thought of themselves ( Vs. 17)

a)  Rich

b)  Increased with goods – influence, numbers, intellectual acquirement, possession of pride

c)  Need of nothing – not even Christ

7.       God’s viewpoint.

a)  Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked

b)  The Church of today

1)       Merchandizing

2)       T.V. Church

3)       Para-church groups  

8.       God’s counsel (Vs. 18-22)

a)  Gold – Grace is free, but it cost Christ the fire of Gods judgment.

b)  White raiment – His righteousness covers our sins.

c)  Eye salve – spiritual

1)       Laodicea was famous for its eye medication

9.       God’s call to the Church (Vs 20-22)

a)  A last appeal

b)  In the term “supp” or sitting with Him in glory (Here we are seen reigning with Him in glory.)

c)  Listen to Him and be on your way to a personal relationship with a glorious future.

Concl. “After this I looked.”  From now on all that John writes is in the future and deals

            with the time period after the Rapture of the Church.