Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Robert Neighbour

Wells of Living Water Commentary - Revelation 3:1-22

The Churches at Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea Revelation 3:1-22 INTRODUCTORY WORDS We present some of the outstanding things written to the Church at Sardis. This is the fifth Church in the seven, and some startling things are revealed. 1. Sardis had a name to live but was dead. We fear that there are many churches who deserve this characterization. You read their reports to the church association, or conference, or synod, and you would think that they are quite alive. They tell of so... read more

James Nisbet

James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary - Revelation 3:8

THE CHURCH’S HISTORY‘I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.’ Revelation 3:8 How would the angel of the Church of England have been bidden to write to us? Would he have written, as to Philadelphia, of an open door, and a little strength, the word kept, and the name confessed; or as to Sardis, ‘I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:1-22

Messages To The Seven Churches (Revelation 2:1 to Revelation 3:22 ). The Son of Man now gives John messages to the seven churches. Each of them follows a general pattern. Firstly an introduction based on John’s vision (‘the things you saw’), secondly the state of the church and various warnings (‘the things which are’), and finally future events and the promises to the overcomers (‘the things which shall be hereafter’). Among other things they follow the pattern of Israel’s history as a... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:8

‘I know your works - (behold I have set before you an opened door which none can shut) - that you have a little power, and have kept my word, and did not deny my name.’ The reference to the opened door clearly refers back in some way to the previous reference to the key and demonstrates that Jesus also controls the opportunities of witness and service (1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3) which He has opened up for them. It is clear that the works of the Philadelphians... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:9

‘Behold I give to you those of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews but are not and do lie, behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.’ Once again we have reference to those Jews who deliberately sought to cause trouble with the authorities for the Christian church (compare on Revelation 2:9). Though they claim to be Jews, says Jesus, they are not really true Jews, for they do not obey the Law or show mercy (Matthew... read more

Peter Pett

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:10

‘Because you kept my word of patient endurance I also will keep you from the hour of trial which is to come upon the whole world, to try those who dwell on earth. I come quickly. Hold fast what you have that no man take your crown.’ For His ‘word of patient endurance’ see Matthew 10:22; Mark 13:13; John 15:18; John 15:21; John 16:2. All who would live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12), and they must endure to the end. Clearly the Philadelphian church has also faced... read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:1-22

Revelation 2:1 to Revelation 3:22 . The Letters to the Seven Churches.— These letters are addressed to individual churches, but their messages are intended for the Church as a whole. In every letter there occurs the phrase, “ He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.” read more

Arthur Peake

Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible - Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7-1 Chronicles : . The Letter to the Church at Philadelphia.— Philadelphia was about 30 miles SE. of Sardis. Like Sardis it was subject to frequent earthquakes, and consequently never attained any great size. The condition of the church seems to have been satisfactory; the difficulties arose from Jewish rather than pagan opponents. Revelation 3:7 . that hath the key of David: cf. Isaiah 22:22, where the key of the house of David is given to Eliakim after the deposition of... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Revelation 3:8

I know thy works: it is very probable, that our Lord, by these ministers’ works, understands the works proper to them in their function, their labour in preaching and propagating the gospel, which Christ did not only know and observe, but also approve of, and promiseth them a liberty to go on, and success in their labours, under the notion of an open door: see 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3. And no man can shut it; so as it should not be in the power of adversaries to... read more

Matthew Poole

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible - Revelation 3:9

Them of the synagogue of Satan; so he calleth all Jews that opposed Christianity, or all pretended but not real professors. Which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie: For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is of the flesh; but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly, & c., Romans 2:28,Romans 2:29. By this term also he may mean all false and hypocritical professors, who would make themselves the church, the only church of God, but are far enough... read more

Group of Brands