Revelation 3

King James Version

Full text for Revelation Chapter 3

1¶ ‹And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.›

2‹Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.›

3‹Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.›

4‹Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.›

5‹He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.›

6‹He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.›

7¶ ‹And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;›

8‹I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.›

9‹Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.›

10‹Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.›

11‹Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.›

12‹Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.›

13‹He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.›

14¶ ‹And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;›

15‹I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.›

16‹So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.›

17‹Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:›

18‹I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.›

19‹As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.›

20‹Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.›

21‹To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.›

22‹He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.›

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Revelation 3 delivers messages to three churches. Sardis is admonished for its spiritual deadness despite its reputation, urged to watch and repent, with promises for the faithful few. Philadelphia is commended for its steadfastness and keeping Christ's word, promised an open door, protection from global temptation, and blessings for overcomers. Laodicea is severely rebuked for its lukewarmness and self-deception, counselled to seek true spiritual riches, and offered intimate fellowship if they repent and open the door to Christ.

Medium Summary

Revelation 3 continues Christ's messages to the churches, addressing Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Sardis is condemned for its spiritual deadness, despite appearing alive, and is called to wake up, strengthen its remaining faith, and repent, lest Christ come unexpectedly. A faithful few in Sardis are acknowledged and promised white raiment and eternal recognition. Philadelphia receives commendation for its steadfastness, having kept Christ's word and not denied His name, and is promised an open door, protection from a global trial, and victory over adversaries. Overcomers in Philadelphia will become permanent pillars in God's temple. Finally, Laodicea is strongly rebuked for its lukewarmness and spiritual pride, believing itself rich while being truly poor, blind, and naked. Christ counsels them to acquire true spiritual wealth, righteousness, and sight, and offers intimate fellowship to those who hear His knock and open the door, promising a share in His throne to those who overcome.

Long Summary

Revelation chapter 3 presents the final three of the seven letters from Christ to the churches in Asia Minor, each conveying specific commendations, rebukes, and promises. The message to Sardis begins with Christ, holding the seven Spirits and seven stars, rebuking the church for its spiritual deadness, despite having a reputation for being alive. They are exhorted to be watchful, strengthen what little faith remains, and repent, or face Christ's unexpected judgment. However, a few individuals in Sardis are praised for not defiling their garments and are promised to walk in white with Christ, and overcomers will be clothed in white, have their names preserved in the book of life, and be confessed before God. Next, the letter to Philadelphia, from Christ as the Holy and True One with the key of David, commends the church for its faithfulness. Despite having little strength, they have kept His word and not denied His name, for which an open door is set before them that no man can shut. Christ promises to make their adversaries, those of the synagogue of Satan, bow before them, acknowledging His love for Philadelphia. Furthermore, because they have kept the word of His patience, Christ promises to keep them from the hour of temptation destined to come upon the whole world. They are urged to hold fast to their faith to secure their crown, and overcomers are promised to be made pillars in God's temple, bearing the names of God, the New Jerusalem, and Christ's new name. Finally, the message to Laodicea, from Christ as the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the beginning of God's creation, delivers a severe rebuke. The church is condemned for its lukewarmness, being neither cold nor hot, which Christ finds abhorrent. They are self-deceived, believing themselves rich and self-sufficient, yet are truly wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked in Christ's sight. Christ counsels them to buy spiritual gold (faith refined by trial), white raiment (righteousness), and eyesalve (spiritual discernment) from Him. He emphasizes that His rebukes are born of love, urging them to be zealous and repent. A profound invitation is extended: Christ stands at the door and knocks, promising intimate fellowship to anyone who hears His voice and opens the door. The ultimate promise to overcomers is to sit with Christ on His throne, just as He overcame and sits with the Father.

Core Concepts

  • Spiritual Deadness (Sardis)The church in Sardis is characterized as having a reputation for being alive but is spiritually dead, indicating a lack of genuine faith and works despite outward appearances. Christ warns them to awaken and strengthen what remains, lest He come unexpectedly.
  • Open Door (Philadelphia)Christ sets an "open door" before the church in Philadelphia, signifying opportunities for ministry, evangelism, or access to divine favor that no human adversary can close. This is a reward for their faithfulness in keeping His word.
  • Hour of Temptation (Philadelphia)The church in Philadelphia is promised protection from a future "hour of temptation" that will come upon the entire world. This refers to a period of global trial or tribulation designed to test humanity.
  • Lukewarmness (Laodicea)The church in Laodicea is strongly rebuked for being "lukewarm," neither spiritually fervent ("hot") nor completely indifferent ("cold"). This state of indifference is abhorrent to Christ, leading to a threat of rejection.
  • Spiritual Riches vs. Material Wealth (Laodicea)Laodicea's self-perception of being rich and self-sufficient is contrasted with their true spiritual state of being wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Christ counsels them to seek true spiritual wealth, righteousness, and sight from Him.
  • Christ's Invitation (Laodicea)Christ extends a personal invitation to the Laodiceans, standing at the door and knocking, offering intimate fellowship ("sup with him") to anyone who hears His voice and opens the door. This symbolizes His desire for a personal relationship.
  • Overcomers' RewardsThroughout the chapter, specific promises are given to "him that overcometh," including white raiment, names in the book of life, being a pillar in God's temple, bearing divine names, and sitting with Christ on His throne. These rewards signify eternal life, honor, and co-reign.