Revelation
Chapter 3
To the Church of Sardis
Write this to the angel of the church in Sardis, “Thus says he who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your worth: you think you live, but you are dead.
Wake up, and strengthen that which is not already dead. For I have found your works to be imperfect in the sight of my God.
Remember what you were taught; keep it, and change your ways. If you do not repent, I will come upon you like a thief, at an hour you least expect.
Yet, there are some left in Sardis who have not soiled their robes; these will come with me, dressed in white, since they deserve it.
The victor will be dressed in white, and I will never erase his name from the book of life; instead, I will acknowledge it before my Father and his angels.
Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
To the Church of Philadelphia
Write this to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, “Thus says he who is holy and true, who holds the key of David; if he opens, nobody shuts, and if he shuts, nobody opens.
I know your worth; I have opened a door before you, which nobody can close, because you have kept my word and not renounced me despite your lack of power.
I am giving you some of the synagogues of Satan, who call themselves Jews, but they are only liars. I will make them fall at your feet and recognize that I love you.
Because you have kept my words with patient endurance, I, for my part, will keep you safe in the hour of trial that is coming upon the whole world, to test the people of the earth.
I am coming soon; hold fast to what you have, lest anyone take your crown.
I will make the victor into a column, in the Sanctuary of my God, where he will stay forever. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God in heaven, and my own new name.
Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
To the Church of Laodicea
Write this to the angel of the church in Laodicea, “Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation:
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!
You are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold; so I will spit you out of my mouth.
You think you are rich and have piled up so much that you need nothing, but you do not realize that you are wretched, and to be pitied; poor, blind, and naked.
I advise you to buy from me gold that has been tested by fire, so that you may be rich, and white clothes to wear, so that your nakedness may not shame you; and ointment for your eyes, that you may see.
I reprimand and correct all those I love. Be earnest, and change your ways.
Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my call and open the door, I will come in to you and have supper with you, and you with me.
I will let the victor sit with me, on my throne, just as I was victorious, and took my place with my Father on his throne.
Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Commentaries
Message to the Seven Churches.
To the Church in Ephesus (2:1-7). Although Jesus Christ acknowledges their loyal effort and perseverance, he nevertheless reproves the community for having abandoned “the first love.” “First” not in chronological order but in its demanding quality and complete surrender of the heart. Here is an admirable summary of the entire journey of Christian conversion, which includes three essential steps: fix your gaze, repent, and act (5).
To the Church of Smyrna (2:8-11). The city, which took pride in its loyalty to Rome, had received many Jews who survived the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans; these had become enemies of the Christians. In the letter, there is not a single reproach from the Lord to this Church, but rather a continuous call for perseverance.
To the Church of Pergamum (2:12-17). The city was well-known in ancient times for its thriving parchment industry and its many pagan temples, among which a giant altar dedicated to Jupiter stood out. The atmosphere was oppressive for the Christian faith. The Lord wants the community to stay faithful despite the surrounding idolatry.
To the Church of Thyatira (2:18-29). Jesus Christ appears—the only time in Revelation—with the most solemn title, “Son of God.” With his penetrating gaze, “eyes like a flame of fire,” and with the firmness of someone standing on feet like burnished bronze, he aims to strengthen the life of the Church.
Thyatira was the least important of the seven cities mentioned, and paradoxically, it has the longest letter. Although Jesus Christ’s favorable judgment is commendable, the severity with which he also reproves it is significant. The community has fallen into neglect and allows heretics (the followers of Jezebel) to continue their work of deception and recruitment. The Lord warns it with strong words, applicable to the Church of all times: The opportunity can no longer be missed. Now that there is time, it is essential to convert!
To the Church of Sardis (3:1-6). Sardis was a thriving commercial hub known for its prosperous white-wool industry, which the letter appears to refer to. Despite this material success, the Christian community was barely surviving. Jesus Christ presents himself as filled with the fullness of the Holy Spirit (“the seven spirits of God”) and capable of restoring the Church’s purpose. Through his powerful word, guided by the Spirit, he will bring life back to the community. Our Lord’s rebuke is sharply bitter. The community only “has a name,” maintaining an outward appearance or façade, but internally, in its faith and love, it is dead. However, not all is lost; a lively remnant still remains (4). These few must remain vigilant so that what is still good does not fade away.
To the Church of Philadelphia (3:7-13). Philadelphia was a small city southeast of Sardis. The Christian community is at the end of its strength and receives from the Lord a letter full of praise and encouragement. The Lord makes no reproach; he knows that it is a small community and that it suffers persecution from the Jews. The faithful Christians constitute the true Israel. No one will be able to erase the consecration of their name, indelibly engraved by the Lord.
To the Church of Laodicea (3:14-22). Laodicea was known in ancient times for its famous medical school specializing in eye diseases. The city considered itself self-sufficient (17). Jesus Christ’s judgment is extremely severe. The state of the Church makes him sick. The reason for such intense revulsion is the Church’s lukewarmness: it believes itself to be rich and perfect and, in its blindness, refuses to recognize its extreme poverty. It lives, clumsily, entrenched in the worst sin: religious pride. The community must seek only in the Lord the remedy for its shameful situation: it must put on the white garment of its dignity as the bride of Jesus Christ. Verse 20 is the most beautiful and mysterious in the entire Bible. Despite this severe judgment, the Risen Lord, the one who stands, patiently waits at the door. He knocks insistently, like the Bridegroom in the Song of Songs (cf. Song 5:2). He gently pleads to be let in, but the door can only be opened from the inside, meaning it ultimately depends on the Christian’s freedom. But if the Christian responds generously, the Lord, now the host of the house, will form an intimate covenant with him, founded on mutual love, and will grant him the gift of the Eucharistic supper.