Revelation 3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3

The epistle to the Church of Sardis, Revelation 3:1-6 . The epistle to the Church of Philadelphia, Revelation 3:7-13 . The epistle to the Church of Laodicea, Revelation 3:14-22 . Epistle to the Church at Sardis read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:1

The seven Spirits, of God - See the note on Revelation 1:4 , Revelation 1:16 ; (note), etc. Thou hast a name that thou livest - Ye have the reputation of Christians, and consequently of being alive to God, through the quickening influence of the Divine Spirit; but ye are dead - ye have not the life of God in your souls, ye have not walked consistently and steadily before God, and his Spirit has been grieved with you, and he has withdrawn much of his light and power. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:2

Be watchful - Ye have lost ground by carelessness and inattention. Awake, and keep awake! Strengthen the things which remain - The convictions and good desires, with any measure of the fear of God and of a tender conscience, which, although still subsisting, are about to perish, because the Holy Spirit, who is the author of them, being repeatedly grieved, is about finally to depart. Thy works perfect - Πεπληρωμενα· Filled up. They performed duties of all kinds, but no duty... read more

Adam Clarke

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's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:2

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

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