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Focal passage: Revelation 3:1-6;14-20
The book of Revelation was written by John when he was exiled on the island of Patmos. It was addressed to the seven churches located in Asia Minor. The number seven means complete and is significant. The truth contained in Revelation is intended for all churches for all time.
In his commentary, Revelation for Everyone, biblical scholar, N.T. Wright, says that Revelation was written to answer the question: “Why is God allowing Christians to suffer persecution?” Most of these early followers of Jesus were poor and living in challenging circumstances. This was in contrast to those who were willing to bow to Caesar, the Roman Emperor. What would Jesus say to them?
John had been exiled because of his faithful proclamation of the Gospel. Evidently, the authorities believed that they would silence him if they removed him from those he was seeking to encourage and influence. Praise God! Instead of shutting him down, exile gave John more time to pray and reflect. At some point, the curtain dividing heaven and earth was pulled back and Jesus gave John a direct message for the churches — and for all of us today. It is obvious from the content of the letters that John was very familiar with the both the churches and the cities where they were located. He was able to address their particular problems in ways that connected to the place and time. When we understand the context of each church, we are better able to understand the words of Jesus and grasp how the message relates to our own cultural moment.
In this lesson, we will focus on the instructions given by Jesus to the churches in Sardis and Laodicea.
Revelation 3:1-6
Sardis was an ancient city, sitting at the top of a mountain. It was almost impenetrable to military attack — except for the times when invading armies captured the city because the guards weren’t paying attention. The citizens of Sardis would have known this painful part of their history.
Jesus says the church in Sardis has a reputation for being alive but they are really half-dead. The people need to wake up and pay attention or they will wither away. The church in Sardis has gone to sleep, resting on her own reputation. Jesus indicates the church is busy, but being busy is not the same as being holy.
Use your imagination. What kinds of activities might the Christians in Sardis been engaged in? How could they think they were alive when they were actually dying? What is the difference between religious activity and worship?
Because of their military history, the church in Sardis will understand the reference to Jesus coming as a thief in the night. Jesus insists they must remain watchful.
What role does awareness play in your life with God? How do you learn to pay attention to all that God is doing in your life?
They must also remember. The word translated remember means more than looking back into the past. Remember includes the idea of living out of what you know to be true.
What do you know to be true? How does this truth change the way you think and live?
Jesus then says they must repent. Repent means to have a change of thinking that leads to a change of life. It’s a decision to align your life with the Kingdom of God.
The Christian must continually realign their life with the purposes of God. How is this decision connected to the need to be aware and to remember the truth you know?
Robes of white are symbols of holiness, which is the character of God and the character God desires in his people. When the community of faith is watchful for the return of Jesus, when they live out of what they know to be true, and when they align their lives with the purposes fo God, they will know the victory of Jesus. They will be a part of the parade of those who have conquered sin and death and the grave.
When John mentions the book of life, he knows that the citizens of Sardis will understand his reference. Any citizen would have their name written down in a registry maintained by the authorities. If the citizen committed a crime their name would be removed and they would no longer have access to the protection and provision found in the community. John wants them to know that it is far more important to have their names recorded in God’s book of life than it is to be listed in the city registry. Jesus promises that he will acknowledge those who remain faithful before God and his angels.
Do you ever consider that you will be a part of this great parade of the faithful who have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11)? This seems to be an important emphasis of Revelation. Why should it matter to you?
Revelation 3: 14-22
Because of their location, Laodicea was a prosperous city. They were at the crossroads of north-south and east-west trade routes. Laodicea was a banking center, and they also had a medical college where people from across the world would come to train to become doctors. The school specialized in the treatment of eye disorders and was well-known for a medicinal eye-powder. In addition, the farmers developed a special breed of sheep which produced a fine quality black wool which was valued by the more prosperous members of society.
In spite of the local prosperity, Laodiceans had a problematic water-supply. They depended upon aqueducts to bring water to the city. When the water finally arrived, it was filled with mineral deposits and was lukewarm in temperature.
In his instructions to the Laodiceans, Jesus describes himself as “Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” Jesus speaks only truth. Jesus is God’s agent of creation.
Jesus is repulsed by the lives of the Laodiceans. These Christians have been so influenced by the prosperity of their city that they no longer recognize their need for God. Their prosperity has led to complacency. They are apathetic or “lukewarm.” Jesus has a strong reaction to their spiritual condition and says he wants to spew them out of his mouth, like a bad drink of water. In contrast to the way they view themselves, Jesus sees the Laodicean Christians as poor, naked, and blind. He urges them to buy the gold that cannot be tarnished, to wear the white garments of holy living, and to receive the healing that only he can bring.
What is the danger of prosperity in your context? Is complacency the logical result of having more than you need to survive? What steps can you take to keep from becoming so satisfied with your spiritual life that you are immune to the promptings of God?
Jesus says he will discipline the Christians in Laodicea because he cares about them. He loves them and longs for them to experience a different kind of life. He longs to commune with them. He knocks on the door, ready to “sup” or eat with them if they will only make themselves available to him. The word translated “sup” is the same one that is used in the accounts of the Lord’s Supper, where Jesus comes “powerfully and personally to his people.”
Those who commune with Jesus will experience the victory over sin, and death and the grave — the victory that he has won on their behalf. And then, something amazing happens. Jesus says that those who conquer with him will also reign with him.
How is Jesus speaking to you about your relationship with him? Are you more likely to become apathetic or engage in meaningless activity? What is the biggest obstacle to your spiritual life? What does “victory in Jesus” look like in your daily context?
