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Commentary on Revelation 3 verses 1–6
Here is, I. The preface, showing, 1. To whom this letter is directed: To the angel of the church of Sardis, an ancient city of Lydia, on the banks of the mountain Tmolus, said to have been the chief city of Asia the Less, and the first city in that part of the world that was converted by the preaching of John; and, some say, the first that revolted from Christianity, and one of the first that was laid in its ruins, in which it still lies, without any church or ministry. 2. By whom this message was sent - the Lord Jesus, who here assumes the character of him that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars, taken out of Rev 1:4, where the seven spirits are said to be before the throne. (1.) He hath the seven spirits, that is, the Holy Spirit with his various powers, graces, and operations; for he is personally one, though efficaciously various, and may be said here to be seven, which is the number of the churches, and of the angels of the churches, to show that to every minister, and to every church, there is a dispensation and measure of the Spirit given for them to profit withal - a stock of spiritual influence for that minister and church to improve, both for enlargement and continuance, which measure of the Spirit is not ordinarily withdrawn from them, till they forfeit it by misimprovement. Churches have their spiritual stock and fund, as well as particular believers; and, this epistle being sent to a languishing ministry and church, they are very fitly put in mind that Christ has the seven spirits, the Spirit without measure and in perfection, to whom they may apply themselves for the reviving of his work among them. (2.) He hath the seven stars, the angels of the churches; they are disposed of by him, and accountable to him, which should make them faithful and zealous. He has ministers to employ, and spiritual influences to communicate to his ministers for the good of his church. The Holy Spirit usually works by the ministry, and the ministry will be of no efficacy without the Spirit; the same divine hand holds them both.
II. The body of this epistle. There is this observable in it, that whereas in the other epistles Christ begins with commending what is good in the churches, and then proceeds to tell them what is amiss, in this (and in the epistle to Laodicea) he begins,
1.With a reproof, and a very severe one: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Hypocrisy, and a lamentable decay in religion, are the sins charged upon this church, by one who knew her well, and all her works. (1.) This church had gained a great reputation; it had a name, and a very honourable one, for a flourishing church, a name for vital lively religion, for purity of doctrine, unity among themselves, uniformity in worship, decency, and order. We read not of any unhappy divisions among themselves. Every thing appeared well, as to what falls under the observation of men. (2.) This church was not really what it was reputed to be. They had a name to live, but they were dead; there was a form of godliness, but not the power, a name to live, but not a principle of life. If there was not a total privation of life, yet there was a great deadness in their souls and in their services, a great deadness in the spirits of their ministers, and a great deadness in their ministrations, in their praying, in their preaching, in their converse, and a great deadness in the people in hearing, in prayer, and in conversation; what little life was yet left among them was, in a manner, expiring, ready to die.
2.Our Lord proceeds to give this degenerate church the best advice: Be watchful, and strengthen the things, etc., Rev 3:2. (1.) He advises them to be upon their watch. The cause of their sinful deadness and declension was that they had let down their watch. Whenever we are off our watch, we lose ground, and therefore must return to our watchfulness against sin, and Satan, and whatever is destructive to the life and power of godliness. (2.) To strengthen the things that remain, and that are ready to die. Some understand this of persons; there were some few who had retained their integrity, but they were in danger of declining with the rest. It is a difficult thing to keep up to the life and power of godliness ourselves, when we see a universal deadness and declension prevailing round about us. Or it may be understood of practices, as it follows: I have not found thy works perfect before God, not filled up; there is something wanting in them; there is the shell, but not the kernel; there is the carcase, but not the soul - the shadow, but not the substance. The inward thing is wanting, thy works are hollow and empty; prayers are not filled up with holy desires, alms-deeds not filled up with true charity, sabbaths not filled up with suitable devotion of soul to God; there are not inward affections suitable to outward acts and expressions. Now when the spirit is wanting the form cannot long subsist. (3.) To recollect themselves, and remember how they have received and heard (Rev 3:3); not only to remember what they had received and heard, what messages they had received from God, what tokens of his mercy and favour towards them, what sermons they had heard, but how they had received and heard, what impressions the mercies of God had made upon their souls at first, what affections they felt working under their word and ordinances, the love of their espousals, the kindness of their youth, how welcome the gospel and the grace of God were to them when they first received them. Where is the blessedness they then spoke of? (4.) To hold fast what they had received, that they might not lose all, and repent sincerely that they had lost so much of the life of religion, and had run the risk of losing all.
3.Christ enforces his counsel with a dreadful threatening in case it should be despised: I will come unto thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know the hour, Rev 3:3. Observe, (1.) When Christ leaves a people as to his gracious presence, he comes to them in judgment; and his judicial presence will be very dreadful to those who have sinned away his gracious presence. (2.) His judicial approach to a dead declining people will be surprising; their deadness will keep them in security, and, as it procures an angry visit from Christ to them, it will prevent their discerning it and preparing for it. (3.) Such a visit from Christ will be to their loss; he will come as a thief, to strip them of their remaining enjoyments and mercies, not by fraud, but in justice and righteousness, taking the forfeiture they have made of all to him.
4.Our blessed Lord does not leave this sinful people without some comfort and encouragement: In the midst of judgment he remembers mercy (Rev 3:4), and here (1.) He makes honourable mention of the faithful remnant in Sardis, though but small: Thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; they had not given into the prevailing corruptions and pollution of the day and place in which they lived. God takes notice of the smallest number of those who abide with him; and the fewer they are the more precious in his sight. (2.) He makes a very gracious promise to them: They shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy - in the stola, the white robes of justification, and adoption, and comfort, or in the white robes of honour and glory in the other world. They shall walk with Christ in the pleasant walks of the heavenly paradise; and what delightful converse will there be between Christ and them when they thus walk together! This is an honour proper and suitable to their integrity, which their fidelity has prepared them for, and which it is no way unbecoming Christ to confer upon them, though it is not a legal but a gospel worthiness that is ascribed to them, not merit but meetness. Those who walk with Christ in the clean garments of real practical holiness here, and keep themselves unspotted from the world, shall walk with Christ in the white robes of honour and glory in the other world: this is a suitable reward.
III. We now come to the conclusion of this epistle, in which, as before, we have,
1.A great reward promised to the conquering Christian (Rev 3:5), and it is very much the same with what has been already mentioned: He that overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment. The purity of grace shall be rewarded with the perfect purity of glory. Holiness, when perfected, shall be its own reward; glory is the perfection of grace, differing not in kind, but in degree. Now to this is added another promise very suitable to the case: I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Observe, (1.) Christ has his book of life, a register and roll of all who shall inherit eternal life. [1.] The book of eternal election. [2.] The book of remembrance of all those who have lived to God, and have kept up the life and power of godliness in evil times. (2.) Christ will not blot the names of his chosen and faithful ones out of this book of life; men may be enrolled in the registers of the church, as baptized, as making a profession, as having a name to live, and that name may come to be blotted out of the roll, when it appears that it was but a name, a name to live, without spiritual life; such often lose the very name before they die, they are left of God to blot out their own names by their gross and open wickedness. But the names of those that overcome shall never be blotted out. (3.) Christ will produce this book of life, and confess the names of the faithful who stand there, before God, and all the angels; he will do this as their Judge, when the books shall be opened; he will do this as their captain and head, leading them with him triumphantly to heaven, presenting them to the Father: Behold me, and the children that thou hast given me. How great will this honour and reward be!
2.The demand of universal attention finishes the message. Every word from God deserves attention from men; that which may seem more particularly directed to one body of men has something in it instructive to all.
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SUMMARY
Revelation 3:6 serves as a profound, universal exhortation concluding the specific message to the church in Laodicea, yet resonating as a vital, recurring refrain throughout the initial chapters of Revelation. It functions as a divine summons to spiritual attentiveness and discernment, urging every individual believer and every church to actively and obediently heed the crucial message communicated by the Holy Spirit. This concise verse underscores the imperative of internalizing divine truth, distinguishing it from mere physical hearing, and applying it to one's life and community.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Revelation 3:6, and indeed at the close of each of the seven letters, is Repetition. The exact phrasing "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" is repeated seven times, creating a powerful refrain that underscores its immense importance and universal application. This repetition serves to emphasize the critical nature of spiritual attentiveness and obedience to the divine message. Furthermore, Symbolism is evident in the phrase "hath an ear," where the physical ear symbolizes spiritual receptivity and discernment. It's not about biological hearing but about an internal capacity to understand and respond to God's truth. The "Spirit" also functions as a symbol of divine authority and revelation, representing the Holy Spirit as the active agent of God's communication to His people.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Revelation 3:6 profoundly highlights the ongoing reality of divine communication and the human responsibility to respond. It asserts the Holy Spirit's active role as the voice of God to His people, not just in the past, but continually speaking to the Church across generations. This divine utterance demands more than passive listening; it calls for active spiritual discernment, understanding, and obedient action. The message implies that spiritual hearing is a gift and a discipline, enabling believers to grasp the deeper truths of God's will amidst the clamor of the world. It underscores the unity of the Spirit's message across diverse contexts, ensuring that the principles for faithfulness, repentance, and perseverance remain universally relevant for all who profess Christ.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Revelation 3:6 serves as a timeless summons for every believer to cultivate a posture of profound spiritual attentiveness. In an age saturated with information and distractions, the call to "hear what the Spirit saith" is more urgent than ever. It challenges us to move beyond superficial engagement with spiritual matters to a deep, discerning listening that leads to transformative action. This requires intentionally quieting the noise of the world, immersing ourselves in God's Word, and earnestly seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance through prayer. True spiritual hearing is not merely intellectual assent but a willingness to be corrected, challenged, and conformed to Christ's image. It compels us to examine our lives and our churches in light of divine truth, prompting repentance where necessary and inspiring perseverance in faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is this phrase repeated seven times at the end of each letter to the churches?
Answer: The repetition of "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches" seven times, once for each letter, serves a crucial literary and theological purpose. It emphasizes the universal importance and divine authority of the messages. The number seven in Revelation often symbolizes completeness or perfection, suggesting that this command is a complete and perfect call to all believers throughout history. It elevates the exhortation from a mere closing remark to a foundational principle for understanding and responding to the entirety of God's communication to His Church, ensuring that the specific warnings and promises for each church are understood as applicable to the broader body of Christ.
What does it mean to "have an ear" in this context? Is it about physical hearing?
Answer: To "have an ear" in Revelation 3:6, and in similar biblical contexts, goes beyond mere physical hearing. It refers to a spiritual capacity for understanding, discernment, and receptivity to divine truth. It implies an inner willingness and ability to perceive the deeper, spiritual meaning of God's message, distinguishing it from superficial auditory reception. Jesus often used this phrase (e.g., Matthew 11:15) to challenge His listeners to move beyond simply hearing words to internalizing and acting upon the truth. It's about having a heart open and attuned to the Holy Spirit's voice.
Are the messages to the seven churches, and this command, only relevant to the original historical churches or to all believers today?
Answer: While the letters were addressed to specific historical congregations in Asia Minor, the phrase "unto the churches" (plural) at the end of each letter, including Revelation 3:6, clearly indicates their universal applicability. The challenges, commendations, warnings, and promises contained within these letters address timeless spiritual principles relevant to all Christian congregations and individual believers across all generations. They serve as a prophetic mirror for the Church throughout history, calling all to faithfulness, repentance, perseverance, and spiritual vitality until the return of Christ.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Revelation 3:6, with its urgent call to "hear what the Spirit saith," finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. He is the very Word of God made flesh, the perfect revelation of the Father, as declared in John 1:14. The Holy Spirit, who speaks to the churches, does not speak of His own accord but testifies about Christ and glorifies Him, as Jesus Himself promised in John 16:13-14. Therefore, to "hear what the Spirit saith" is fundamentally to hear the voice of Christ, the Head of the Church, who continues to shepherd His flock through His Spirit. The messages to the churches are Christ's assessment of their spiritual condition, His call to repentance, and His promise of reward for those who overcome through Him. The "ear" that is able to hear is opened by Christ, who grants spiritual understanding, just as He opened the minds of His disciples to understand the Scriptures in Luke 24:45. Ultimately, this verse is a perpetual reminder that the Spirit's ongoing communication is always centered on revealing Christ, drawing believers into deeper fellowship with Him, and equipping them to live as His faithful witnesses until His glorious appearing, when every ear will hear His triumphant voice, as prophesied in Revelation 1:7.