The Dead Church
1 "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who Rev. 1:4, 16has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.3 1 Tim. 6:20Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and Rev. 3:19repent. Matt. 24:42, 43; Luke 12:39Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you 1 Thess. 5:2; (2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 16:15)as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.4 You have Acts 1:15a few names even in Sardis who have not (Jude 23)defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me Rev. 4:4; 6:11in white, for they are worthy.5 He who overcomes (Rev. 19:8)shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not Ex. 32:32; Ps. 69:28; Luke 10:20; (Rev. 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27)blot out his name from the Phil. 4:3Book of Life; but Matt. 10:32; Luke 12:8I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 Rev. 2:7"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ’
The Faithful Church
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says Acts 3:14He who is holy, John 14:6; 1 John 5:20; Rev. 3:14; 19:11He who is true, Is. 9:7; 22:22; Jer. 23:5"He who has the key of David, (Matt. 16:19; Rev. 1:18)He who opens and no one shuts, and Job 12:14shuts and no one opens":8 Rev. 3:1"I know your works. See, I have set before you 1 Cor. 16:9an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.9 Indeed I will make Rev. 2:9those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed Is. 45:14; 49:23; 60:14I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, 2 Tim. 2:12; 2 Pet. 2:9I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon Luke 2:1the whole world, to test those who dwell Is. 24:17on the earth.11 Behold,Phil. 4:5I am coming quickly! Rev. 2:25Hold fast what you have, that no one may take (Rev. 2:10)your crown.12 He who overcomes, I will make him 1 Kin. 7:21; Jer. 1:18; Gal. 2:9a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall Ps. 23:6go out no more. (Rev. 14:1; 22:4)I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the (Heb. 12:22)New Jerusalem, which Rev. 21:2comes down out of heaven from My God. (Rev. 2:17; 22:4)And I will write on him My new name.
13 Rev. 2:7"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ’
The Lukewarm Church
14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
Is. 65:16; 2 Cor. 1:20‘These things says the Amen, Rev. 1:5; 3:7; 19:11the Faithful and True Witness, (Col. 1:15)the Beginning of the creation of God:15 Rev. 3:1"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.17 Because you say, Hos. 12:8; Zech. 11:5; (Matt. 5:3); 1 Cor. 4:8‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—18 I counsel you Is. 55:1; Matt. 13:44to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and 2 Cor. 5:3white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.19 Job 5:17As many as I love, I rebuke and Prov. 3:12; (2 Cor. 11:32); Heb. 12:6chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.20 Behold, Song 5:2I stand at the door and knock. Luke 12:36, 37; John 10:3If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, (John 14:23)I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.21 To him who overcomes Matt. 19:28; 2 Tim. 2:12; (Rev. 2:26; 20:4)I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 Rev. 2:7"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ’ "