Revelation 3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:3

Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard ,.... That is, hast received upon hearing; for hearing goes first, and then receiving: the design of the advice is to put this church in mind of the doctrines of grace she had heard at the beginning of the Reformation, from Luther and others; such as justification by the righteousness of Christ, pardon through his blood, and atonement by his sacrifice, doctrines now almost lost and buried in forgetfulness; wherefore Christ would have her... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:4

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis ,.... The Alexandrian copy and others, the Complutensian edition, the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, read, "but thou hast a few names", &c.; or "a few men", as the Ethiopic version renders it; who were called by name, and were men of renown, excellent men, men famous for holding the truth of doctrine, and for powerful and practical godliness; men of great light and grace, and who were known by name to God and Christ: these are said to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:5

He that overcometh ,.... The deadness, formality, and imperfection of this church state; gets over these things, and is among the few names in it: the same shall be clothed in white raiment ; the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, read, "thus shall he be clothed in white raiment"; he shall have abundance of spiritual peace and joy, great success and prosperity, both inward and outward, in himself, and in the church; and triumph over all his enemies, sin, Satan, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:6

He that hath an ear, let him hear ,.... See Gill on Revelation 2:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:7

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write ,.... Of the city of Philadelphia; see Gill on Revelation 1:11 ; According to the Apostolical Constitutions F13 L. 7. c. 46. , one Demetrius was ordained bishop of this church by the Apostle John; but this is not to be depended on; nor is it known who this angel was: however, certain it is there was a church in this place in the "second" century, in the times of Ignatius, who wrote an epistle to it, and which then had a bishop or... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:8

I know thy works ,.... Good works, of faith, love, and patience; and which lay much in preaching, professing, and maintaining the pure Gospel, and in acts of charity to one another; and which were done to some degree of perfection, and with great sincerity; since this church is not complained of, that her works were not perfect before God, as the former church is: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it ; or "which no man can shut", as read the Alexandrian... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:9

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan ,.... Which may be understood either of the Papists, the followers of the man of sin, whose coming was after the working of Satan, and whose doctrines are the doctrines of devils, many of whom will now be converted, and brought to the true church; or rather of the Jews, who had, and have, and will have till this time, their synagogues for religious worship in their way; but they are no other than synagogues of Satan; the men that assemble in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:10

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience ,.... The Gospel; so called because it gives an account of the patience of Christ, in the midst of all his outward meanness and humiliation; and because it is a means of implanting and increasing the grace of patience, which God is the efficient cause of, and Christ is the example of; that patience, which bears a resemblance to his, in enduring afflictions, reproaches, persecutions, desertions, and temptations, and in waiting for his kingdom and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:11

Behold, I come quickly ,.... To bring on this hour of temptation on the reformed churches, which will be at the beginning of this period; to help and deliver, save and preserve the truly godly among them; to destroy antichrist, and introduce the latter day glory: hold that fast which thou hast ; either her grace in the exercise of it, as her faith, patience, &c.; or rather the doctrines of the Gospel, and the ordinances of it, which she had received, as delivered by Christ and his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Revelation 3:12

He that overcometh ,.... In the hour of temptation, in this period of time; that stands his ground then, sustains the shock of the beast, with courage and intrepidity, and overcomes him: will I make a pillar in the temple of my God ; by which is meant not the church triumphant, though such will have a place, and an abiding one there; but the church militant, so called in allusion to the temple at Jerusalem, for its author, matter, situation, strength, solidity, magnificence, and... read more

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