Revelation 3:3-16 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:3

Remember - Enter into a serious consideration of your state. How thou hast received - With what joy, zeal, and gladness ye heard the Gospel of Christ when first preached to you. Hold fast - Those good desires and heavenly influences which still remain. And repent - Be humbled before God, because ye have not been workers together with him, but have received much of his grace in vain. If therefore thou shalt not watch - If you do not consider your ways, watching against sin,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:4

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis - A few persons, names being put for those who bore them. And as the members of the Church were all enrolled, or their names entered in a book, when admitted into the Church or when baptized, names are here put for the people themselves. See Revelation 3:5 . Have not defiled their garments - Their souls. The Hebrews considered holiness as the garb of the soul, and evil actions as stains or spots on this garb. So in Shabbath, fol. 152, 2: "A certain... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:5

I will not blot out his name - This may be an allusion to the custom of registering the names of those who were admitted into the Church in a book kept for that purpose, from which custom our baptismal registers in Churches are derived. These are properly books of life, as there those who were born unto God were registered; as in the latter those who were born in that parish were enrolled. Or there may be allusions to the white raiment worn by the priests, and the erasing of the name of any... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:6

He that hath an ear - The usual caution and counsel carefully to attend to the things spoken to the members of that Church, in which every reader is more or less interested. Epistle to the Church at Philadelphia read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:7

He that is holy - In whom holiness essentially dwells, and from whom all holiness is derived. He that is true - He who is the fountain of truth; who cannot lie nor be imposed on; from whom all truth proceeds; and whose veracity in his Revelation is unimpeachable. He that hath the key of David - See this metaphor explained, Matthew 16:19 . Key is the emblem of authority and knowledge; the key of David is the regal right or authority of David. David could shut or open the kingdom of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:8

I have set before thee an open door - I have opened to thee a door to proclaim and diffuse my word; and, notwithstanding there are many adversaries to the spread of my Gospel, yet none of them shall be able to prevent it. Thou hast a little strength - Very little political authority or influence; yet thou hast kept my word - hast kept the true doctrine; and hast not denied my name, by taking shelter in heathenism when Christianity was persecuted. The little strength may refer either to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:9

I will make them - Show them to be, of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, pretending thereby to be of the synagogue of God, and consequently his true and peculiar children. I will make them to come and worship - I will so dispose of matters in the course of my providence, that the Jews shall be obliged to seek unto the Christians for toleration, support, and protection, which they shall be obliged to sue for in the most humble and abject manner. To know that I have loved... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:10

The word of my patience - The doctrine which has exposed you to so much trouble and persecution, and required so much patience and magnanimity to bear up under its attendant trials. The hour of temptation - A time of sore and peculiar trial which might have proved too much for their strength. He who is faithful to the grace of God is often hidden from trials and difficulties which fall without mitigation on those who have been unfaithful in his covenant. Many understand by the hour of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:11

Behold, I come quickly - These things will shortly take place; and I am coming with consolations and rewards to my faithful followers, and with judgments to my adversaries. Take thy crown - God has provided mansions for you; let none through your fall occupy those seats of blessedness. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:12

A pillar in the temple - There is probably all allusion here to the two pillars in the temple of Jerusalem, called Jachin and Boaz, stability and strength. The Church is the temple; Christ is the foundation on which it is built; and his ministers are the Pillars by which, under him, it is adorned and supported. St. Paul has the same allusions, Galatians 2:9 . I will write upon him the name of my God - That is, I will make him a priest unto myself. The priest had written on his forehead... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:12

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