Revelation 3:1-6 (NKJV) “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’
V1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” As explained previously, “angel” is the pastor of the local assembly. Jesus identifies Himself as having the seven-fold Spirit, which is the Holy Spirit without measure (Isaiah 11:2). The seven stars are the pastors (Revelation 1:20) who are in Jesus’s right hand, signifying His authority and care for the assemblies.
V2 “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.” Being watchful is the opposite of being asleep. There must be an awareness of what is happening in our lives (1 Corinthians 11:28, 2 Corinthians 13:5, and Galatians 6:4). We strengthen the things that God approves by knowing the truth (the Bible), understanding it, and living it by the grace of God and prayer. Some things approved by God in this assembly are fading away. The word “perfect” is the Greek word (G4137) πληρόω plēróō, which means fill to the brim, complete. Being complete is following God’s standard (Galatians 6:2). God will judge believers. This judgment is not about our salvation but how we lived our lives (Romans 14:10-12, 1 Corinthians 3:10–4:5, and 2 Corinthians 5:1-10).
V3 “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” They received the Gospel, so the Lord Jesus was with them to remember that day they heard it. He tells them this so they will stand firm in their beliefs and repent to where they have drifted. He wants them to return. God’s way is to inform, encourage repentance, and the consequences if they do not repent. Good plan for us as well for raising children, dealing with employees, students, etc.
V4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.” There are some who have not drifted. Sin defiles; so, in their drifting, they sinned. Drifting from the faith is also a sin. Compare Psalm 101:6, Hebrews 3:5, and Psalm 31:1. We must know the truth and hold on to it. And again, Jesus informs, encourages, and speaks of the consequences of remaining faithful. Walk with me in white has these ideas: 1) sin has been forgiven, so they are dressed in purity, 2) they will walk with Jesus, so restored fellowship with God, and 3) they are worthy, because they have been forgiven and faithful.
V5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” More consequential blessings for being faithful for overcoming temptations to drift. They are 1) purity (Proverbs 22:11, Psalm 24:4, and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-6), 2) their name not blotted out, and 3) confessing their names to the Father (Matthew 10:32).
Comments:
Adam Clarke: “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 priest out of the sacerdotal list who had either sinned, or was found not to be of the seed of Aaron. In Middoth, fol. 37, 2: “The great council of Israel sat and judged the priests. If in a priest any vice was found they stripped him of his white garments and clothed him in black, in which he wrapped himself, went out, and departed. Him in whom no vice was found they clothed in white, and he went and took his part in the ministry among his brother priests.”
Precept Austin: “The church at Sardis had a name and likely had an official roll containing the names of those who attended. Yet it was dead. Jesus directs the church members to be concerned whether they are in the Book of Life rather than the church role.”
Article: “Preach Perseverance” (https://evangelicalarminians.org/roy-ingle-preach-perseverance/)
V6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” The importance of listening and acting upon the message Jesus has given.
We learn:
• How to approach those who have drifted from the faith (Jude 1:22-23)
• The consequences of remaining faithful or unfaithful.