In today’s daily devotional, Revelation 3 completes the letters to the seven churches, offering a powerful examination of spiritual health and faithfulness. Each church represents a distinct spiritual condition—alive yet dead, faithful yet tested, or lukewarm and self-satisfied. These messages challenge us to assess our own spiritual reputation: Are we truly alive in Christ, keeping His Word and honoring His name? Or have we become lukewarm, distant, or spiritually complacent? Revelation 3 reminds us that Jesus stands at the door, ready to rekindle our spiritual fire if we invite Him in. Let us heed His call, repent, and renew our commitment to a vibrant and faithful walk with Him. To learn about the first 4 churches of Revelation, read the daily devotional on Revelation 2.
Revelation 3 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Revelation 3 completes the letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation. What is your spiritual reputation? Have you kept His Word? Are you spiritually hot, cold, or lukewarm? Please read or listen to Revelation 3.
Who Is God Talking to in Revelation 3?
In 1995, as I read Revelation 3 (NASB), I wrote in my personal Bible reading journal, “Sardis: ‘you are dead’ (v. 1). Though you look alive, wake up, repent, overcome and be clothed in white garments. Receive forgiveness. Philadelphia: you ‘have kept My word . . . have not denied My name’ (v. 8). You will be kept through the hour of testing. Hold fast. Overcome and become a pillar in the temple of God. Laodicea: you are lukewarm, cocky, but you are poor and blind. Knock and invite Jesus back in. Overcome and sit at the throne of heaven.”
How to Revive Yourself Spiritually?
In 2008, I wrote, “Don’t die spiritually. Wake up! Jesus is the one who opens and shuts the doors of opportunity. ‘Open doors come to those who have kept my Word and have not denied My name.’ Those who persevere may be kept from the hour of testing. Hold fast. Be hot or cold. Stand for Christ. Don’t become self-sufficient. Jesus reproves and disciplines those He loves.”
Why Is It Important to Be Obedient to God?
In 2013, I wrote, “Three more churches. Sardis, dead though appearing to be alive. Wake up, or Jesus will come against you. Philadelphia: no criticism because ‘You have kept my word and have not denied my name’ (v. 8). If one is obedient keeping God’s Word, ‘I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world’ (v. 10). Laodicea: lukewarm and spit out due to prosperity. Jesus is watching the church. He loves His church but will hold it accountable and discipline it.”
What Is the Meaning of Reputation in Christianity?
Let’s see if we can find some practical applications from the letters to these churches beginning with the church at Sardis. “You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (v. 1).What is your Christian reputation? Do you have the appearance of being alive as a Christian, but inside you are really spiritually dead? We are admonished here to “strengthen what remains and is about to die” (v. 2).
How Do You Get Out of Spiritual Death?
Is your spiritual life flickering? Should you fan the flame before it dies out? How would you do so? I have a few ideas: 1) spend time in God’s Word, 2) spend time with God in prayer, 3) spend time in fellowship by being part of a church. Those are a few ways to strengthen what remains before your spiritual flicker burns out. What is your reputation as a Christian? Do you appear to be alive, but you are dead?
What Is the Message to the Church of Philadelphia?
Let’s move on to the church at Philadelphia. It is pretty cool Jesus really does not have a criticism of this church. Why is that? Because they “have kept my word and have not denied my name” (v. 8). Can you say that? Can you say Jesus would not have a criticism of your spiritual walk, because you know God’s Word, because you keep His Word, and because you do not deny the name of Jesus? If so, you probably have open doors of ministry opportunities. He is the one that sets before us an open door. He is the one that opens it and no one can shut it.
What Does Christianity Say about Sharing?
He gives open doors to those who have kept His Word and will not deny His name. Are you experiencing open doors to share your Christianity? Are you experiencing open doors to minister in the name of Jesus to the people around you? I hope so. I hope you are keeping His Word and you are not afraid to proclaim His name.
What Are the Signs of a Lukewarm Church?
Let’s look at the church of Laodicea. This part of Scripture contains some words most of us are very familiar with, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. . . .because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth” (vs. 15-16). Many of us have heard that before. Many of us have quoted it. But are we guilty of it? Has your Christianity become lukewarm? Did you used to be hot for the Lord, but now your spirituality is mushy?
Most of us can understand this illustration. We like a hot drink, a hot cup of coffee, a hot cup of tea, or we like our drinks ice cold. But when you get something warm, we do not like it. It is not tasteful. That is an amazing illustration about our Christianity, our faith, our spirituality. Are you hot for the Lord? Or are you cold? He says be hot or cold, but not mushy, not lukewarm.
The Damage of Being a Lukewarm Christian
There is plenty of damage being done by lukewarm Christians in our world today. Those who have the appearance of being Christians but are not following the principles of Christianity. How is your spiritual temperature? Are you hot? Are you cold? Are you lukewarm? “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him” (vs. 19-20).
If you have the reputation of being alive but you are spiritually dead, if you have not kept His Word, if you have denied His name, if you find yourself lukewarm, He stands at the door and knocks. Open the door, and let Him back in. Let Him fan the flame of your spiritual life again so you can be hot for Jesus.
As in chapter 2, after each letter to the churches, it ends with, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (vs. 6, 13, 22).May we have ears to hear what the Spirit says to us through this chapter in Revelation.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, fan the flame of my spiritual life once again. Amen.
