Revelation 3. Today we continue reading the specific notes John writes to each of the seven churches who were to receive this letter, and we investigate the pattern of John’s writings:

Things the churches are doing well:  
– You have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name (3:8)
– You have kept my word about patient endurance (3:10)
Only the church in Philadelphia gets commendations today!

Things the churches are failing at:
– You are dead, I have not found your works complete (3:1-2)
– You are neither cold not hot, you are lukewarm. (3:17)
– You say I am rich, I have prospered, I need nothing; not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. (3:17)

Call to action/Commands:
– Wake up, strengthen what remains. Repent. (3:3)
– Hold fast. (3:11)
– Buy from me gold, white garments, and salve for your eyes. (3:18)
– Be zealous and repent. (3:19)

In Revelation 2 we noted two churches who tolerated false teachers and allowed sexual immorality. They marched defiantly in a different direction from the gospel. Today we see two churches who are rich, lazy, and unmotivated – their faith and commitment to the kingdom of God is weak. They too are headed in a different direction from the gospel, but instead it is a slow fade as they compromise and grow apathetic and lazy. All these churches are called to repent from their compromised positions – and to hold fast to the Word of God and the truth of the gospel.

What rewards are promised to those who conquer? Using language from the Old Testament, Jesus tells John that believers who endure will be in the presence of God forever.
The overcomers are promised:
– Permission to eat from the tree of life in the paradise of God (2:7)
– The promise of not being hurt by the second death (2:11)
– The gift of hidden manna and a white stone with a new name (2:17)
– Authority over the nations to rule them with a rod of iron (2:26)
– The gift of the morning star (the permanent presence of Jesus) (2:28)
– To be clothed in white garments and never have his name removed from the Book of Life (3:5)
– To be made a pillar in the temple of God in the new Jerusalem (3:12)
– To be granted permission to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne (3:21)

The believer who conquers by enduring faithfully has a glorious future in the presence of God forever! Jesus is making the point that it is well worth it for believers to endure this temporary tribulation.