Revelation 3

CHURCH 4: SARDIS

The Patient: The Church in Sardis (1a)
1. Had been the Capital Of Lydia (Croesus)
2. Built on the ridge of a mountain
3. Defeated twice in history b/c of complacency
4. Famous for its red dye and woolen garments
5. Known for it’s immorality

The Physician: Jesus Christ (1b)
1. Holds the seven spirits of God
2. Holds the seven stars

The Problem: They are on life support (1c)
1. They were nominal Christians
2. They were dead
3. They were dying (still hope)
4. Their deeds were incomplete (lacked proper motive)

The Prescription: Wake up and Live! (2-3a)
1. Wake up!
2. Strengthen what remains
3. Remember what they received and obey it
4. Repent

The Possibilities: Judgment or Restoration (3b-6)
1. God will come like a thief if they remain dead
2. There are a few who have remained pure
3. They will walk with Jesus
4. Others may join them
5. There name will never be removed from the Book of Life
6. Jesus will acknowledge their names before the Father

4 Phases of Church Life
1. The Movement Phase
2. The Magnificent Phase
3. The Monument Phase
4. The Mausoleum Phase

Historicist View
Sardis represents the age of the DEAD (16th-18th Centuries)

CHURCH 6: PHILADELPHIA

The City (7)
1. Founded in 150 B.C.
2. The city was destroyed in 17 A.D.
3. There was a fear of earthquakes
4. Had a small population
5. Also known as Neo-Caesarea

The Church (7)
1. Like Smyrna, this church receives no rebuke
2. Like Smyrna, this church was persecuted by local Jews
3. It’s the only letter than doesn’t use symbolism from Chapter 1

The Commendation (8-10)
1. They had little strength
2. They kept Jesus’ word
3. They did not deny Jesus’ name
4. They endured patiently

The Crown (10-13)
1. The persecuting Jews will come to know I love you
2. Jesus will keep them from the hour of trial
3. They will become pillars in Gods temple
4. The signature of God will be given to them

Interpreting Verse 10
1. Futurist- This refers to a pre-tribulation rapture
2. Preterist- This refers to 1st century protection of Christians

Historicist View
Philadelphia represents the age of REVIVAL (18th-19th Centuries)

CHURCH 7: LAODICEA

The City (14a)
1. Very prosperous city
2. 100 miles east of Ephesus
3. Famous for eye medicine
4. Famous for black wool clothing
5. No local water supply

Sardis= Cold
Philadelphia= Hot
Laodicea= Lukewarm

Jesus describes Himself as…
1. The Amen
2. The Faithful and True Witness
3. The Beginning of the Creation of God

What they thought….
1. They were better off lukewarm than cold
2. They were rich
3. They were self-sufficient
4. They were safe

What they were….
1. They were better off either one or the other
2. They were wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked
3. They needed to buy gold, clothes, and salve from God
4. They were in danger of punishment

Points for them to Ponder
1. He rebukes those He loves
2. They need to be zealous
3. They need to repent
4. Christ wants back into the church

Historicist View
Laodicea represents the age of the LUKEWARM (20th century and beyond)