Revelation 3:1-4 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1

He that hath the seven Spirits of God (see notes on Revelation 1:4 , Revelation 1:16 , Revelation 1:20 ; but observe that this designation of Christ does not occur in the opening vision). In Revelation 5:6 the Lamb is seen "having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God." The seven Spirits being the Holy Spirit in his sevenfold activity, it is manifest (as Trench observes) that this passage is of importance in reference to the doctrine of the double... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

The epistle to the Church at Sardis. This Church is one of the two which receives unmixed reproof. Smyrna and Philadelphia receive no blame; Sardis and Laodicea receive no praise. Sardis lies almost due south of Thyatira, on the road to Philadelphia, between the river Hermus and Mount Tmolus. It had been in turn Lydian, Persian, Greek, and Roman, and, like its last Lydian king, Croesus, had been celebrated for its wealth. The auriferous stream Pactolus, in summer almost dry, flowed... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

Sardis; or, the dead Church. This epistle presents no exception to the general rule which we have pointed out regarding all the seven, viz. that our Lord Jesus Christ presents himself to each Church in that special aspect in which it was most appropriate for that Church to regard him. Here he is spoken of as "he that hath the seven Spirits of God"—a phrase used only in the Apocalypse, and yet, in its meaning, harmonious with all the rest of God's Word. This leads us at once to observe— ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

The epistle to the Church at Sardis. Were any one visiting the actual sites where the several Churches spoken of in these letters once stood, he would, ere he came to Sardis, have gone a long way round the circle on the circumference of which they all were. Beginning with Ephesus at the southern end, and proceeding northwards along the seashore, he next would come to Smyrna, then to Pergamos, then to Thyatira, and then, coming down the inland side of the rude circle we have imagined, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

(5) The epistle to the Church in Sardis: the decaying Church on the brink of ruin. The sad spectacle is presented here of a Church dying out. To the angel it is said, "Thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead." This is the judgment of him who hath "the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars." He holds the stars in his band, for safety in danger, for punishment in unfaithfulness. They cannot escape from him. The Lord of life is the Lord also of death and judgment. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

The words of Christ to the congregation at Sardis. "Sardis," says Dr. Eadie, "was a city of ancient Lydia. Its modern name is Sert Kalesi, and it lies about thirty miles south-cast of Thyatira, and two miles south of the river Hermus. It is, however, but a miserable village, inhabited chiefly by shepherds, though it is one of the stopping places of the Persian caravans. The original city was plundered by Cyrus, and afterwards desolated by an earthquake, the ruins of it being still... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:2

Be watchful ; literally, become watching. The use of ψίψνομαι implies that the watchful state is not the normal one—a change is needed before the watching can come about (comp. Revelation 1:9 , Revelation 1:10 , Revelation 1:18 ; Revelation 2:8 ; Revelation 4:2 ; Revelation 6:12 , etc.). The use of the present participle instead of an adjective ("watching!" for "watchful") makes the charge more definite; not merely "be of a watchful character," but "become a watcher". ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:3

Remember therefore how thou hast received and didst hear (comp. Revelation 2:5 ). Like the Ephesians, the Sardians are reminded of the better condition from which they have receded. They are of those "who, when they have heard the Word, straightway receive it with joy; and they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while". The "how," as is shown by the verbs "receive" and "hear," refers to the readiness with which they accepted the gospel, rather than to the power with which it was... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:4

But thou hast a few names in Sardis. The "but" (Revised Version) must be added, and the "even" (Authorized Version) omitted, on conclusive evidence. "Names" is hero used in the sense of persons ( Acts 1:15 and Revelation 11:13 , where the Revised Version has "persons"); there is no reference to the totally different use of "to have a name" in Revelation 3:1 . Bode remarks, "He knoweth his own sheep by name, as he knew Moses by name, and writeth the names of his own in heaven." These few... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:4

The present blessedness of the consecrated life: a Whit Sunday sermon. "They shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." This is Whit Sunday, and its very name carries us back in thought to the literal and impressive manner in which the Christian Church of the early centuries was wont to interpret our text when she celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. For it was at this feast—so the Book of the Acts tells us—that there were reaped for Christ and his Church those famous firstfruits of... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:4

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