The Bible — World English Bible
Revelation 3
In brief
Revelation 3 contains the last three of seven letters from Christ to the churches of Asia. To Sardis, a church reputed to be alive but near death, he calls to wake up and repent. To Philadelphia, a faithful church despite small strength, he promises an open door no one can close. To Laodicea, a lukewarm church that thinks itself rich, he gives a stern rebuke and counsel: buy from him gold, white clothes, and eye salve. The chapter culminates with Jesus standing at the door and knocking, offering to dine with anyone who opens.
The chapter in 3 parts
1“And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars says these things: “I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
2Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God.
3Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.
4Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that didn’t defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.
5He who overcomes will be arrayed in white garments, and I will in no way blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
7“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8“I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.
9Behold, I give some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
12He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.
13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
14“To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: “The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of God’s creation, says these things:
15“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.
16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
17Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;
18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.
19As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.
20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
21He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father on his throne.
22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
Key verses
Wake up, and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have found no works of yours perfected before my God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If therefore you won’t watch, I will come as a thief, and you won’t know what hour I will come upon you.
Christ calls Sardis to wake up, strengthen what remains and remember what she received. He warns that if not, he will come like a thief.
“I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.
To Philadelphia, Christ reproaches nothing. He sets before her an open door no one can shut, because she kept his word despite her small strength.
So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.
Laodicea's lukewarmness, neither cold nor hot, is what displeases Christ. The verse shows that a comfortable faith without zeal is more dangerous than frank opposition.
As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent.
Christ rebukes those he loves. The reproof is not rejection but a call to zeal and repentance.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, then I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me.
The image of Jesus standing at the door and knocking is a personal invitation: hear his voice, open, and share a meal with him. This verse is often read as a call to those who already believe.
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What the sermons say
Frequently asked questions about Revelation 3
How can Sardis have a reputation of being alive yet be dead?
Reputation is about perception. Sardis can appear active: good buildings, organized programs, respected teachers. But Jesus judges by the heart. Are people devoted to him? Are they growing spiritually? Does his presence define the church, or just human structures?
What is the open door Jesus promises Philadelphia?
The open door could mean opportunity to preach the Gospel, to grow, to influence. But in context it suggests Jesus himself. An open door to Jesus means access to his presence and power. For Philadelphia, their little strength becomes enough because the door is open.
Why is lukewarmness worse than coldness?
Cold suggests hostility or rejection, which is at least honest. Lukewarmness is the false comfort of thinking all is well when you are unfaithful. It is spiritual self-deception. Jesus prefers an enemy who knows he is an enemy over a lukewarm friend.
What does Jesus mean by knocking at the door?
Jesus does not force himself in. He respects the door; he knocks. He waits for you to open. Even to a lukewarm church, he offers fellowship. The knock is an invitation to repent, to open yourself to him, and to experience restored communion.
Articles quoting Revelation 3
World English Bible translation — public domain.