# 35 2021 Dev. Revelation 3:2. Jesus Holds the Key! Read all of Chapter 3:1-13 first. The purpose of these devotionals is to draw closer to God and grow spiritually by applying His Word to our daily living. All passages are taken from the NIV.
Revelations 3:2 “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God.”
Introduction: This book is perhaps the most misunderstood and the most misinterpreted book of Scripture. Scripture must interpret the Scriptures of which this book is a primary example. The language is apocalyptic, symbolic and understood in the Eastern Culture of the time.
Chapter 3 continues with Jesus’ exhortation to the seven churches. Again, seven is a complete number that means that each type of church is addressed through out all of history. Jesus is addressing us today as well.
To the church in Sardis. Sardis was the main city of the Kingdom of Lydia, known for it’s arts and crafts, a city of wealth. It was the first center for minting silver and gold coins and hosted the great temple of Artemis. However, all that ended with the earthquake of A.D.17 which ruined the city physically and financially. (Zondervan. Pictorial Bible dictionary)
Jesus says: “I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up!” Go back to what you heard in the beginning. I will come when you least expect it if you do not repent. Twice in the city’s history their fortress was subdued by stealth. Jesus here turns His critique around, condemning the church but pointing out a few people who have not contaminated themselves. Apparently, there was a serious issue in this church that negated the true gospel. Yet, no mention of Jewish opposition or Roman persecution. It seems to have been spiritual apathy; going through the motions, doing all the right things by all appearances but the church people were facing to be blotted out of the book of life. It seems that this situation in Sardis is what many churches are going through today; there is compromising with worldly values, and an obsession for political correctness, both contradicting spiritual values. The answer is to get back to the Word of God as it has been interpreted over the centuries.
To the church in Philadelphia. Philadelphia was close to Sardis and on the main road from the East. The city’s name comes from the founder, Attalus II Philadelphus (brotherly love) due to his respect for his brother. The city was situated on the vault of the earthquake of A.D. 17 and they suffered many recurring earthquakes. They were faithful followers of Jesus and have maintained a Christian witness to this day. (Zondervan pic. Bible Dictionary)
Jesus says to them: “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” Jesus will stop the opposition of the “synagogue of Satan” (false Jews). Jesus will also protect them from the trials to come. After all the destruction of the city and of their lives, “to one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it” The structures of God are permanent, like the name of God and the name of the city of God, Jesus gives his own from everlasting to everlasting. Praise be to God!
We live in a temporary place, and we live in a broken place just as the Philadelphians, a place with increasing opposition to maintaining a Christian witness. But as we see, faithfulness is possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. May every church today tap into that power. It may not be politically correct, it is nonsense to most people, but It is up to us to allow the Spirit of God free reign in our lives. That is the answer!
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