The Letter to Sardis
1
“Write to the angel
3:1
Or messenger, also in vv. 7,14
of the church in Sardis: Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God3:1 Rv 1:4; 4:5; 5:6 and the seven stars:3:1 Rv 1:16,20; 2:1 I know your works; 3:1 Rv 2:2,19; 3:8,15 you have a reputation3:1 Or have a name for being alive, but you are dead.3:1 Rm 6:11
2Be alert3:2 Mt 25:13; 26:40–41; Ac 20:31; 1Co 16:13; 1Pt 5:8; 2Pt 3:10 and strengthen3:2 Other mss read guard what remains, which is about to die,3:2 Or strengthen who remain, who are about to die for I have not found your works complete before my God.
3Remember, then, what you have received and heard; keep it, and repent. If you are not alert, I will come3:3 Other mss add upon you like a thief, and you have no idea at what hour I will come upon you.3:3 Mt 24:42–44; Mk 13:32–37; Lk 12:35–40; 1Th 5:1–11; Rv 16:15
5
“In the same way, the one who conquers
3:5
1Jn 2:13–14; 4:4; 5:4–5; Rv 2:7,11,17,26; 3:12,21
will be dressed in white clothes,3:5 Mt 17:2; Rv 3:18; 4:4 and I will never erase his name from the book of life3:5 Dt 32:32–33; Ps 69:28; Dn 12:1; Rv 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27 but will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels.3:5 Mt 10:32; Lk 12:8
The Letter to Philadelphia
7
“Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one,
3:7
1Jn 5:20; Rv 6:10; 19:11
the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens: 3:7 Is 22:22; Mt 16:19
8I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.3:8 Ac 14:27; 1Co 16:9; 2Co 2:12; Col 4:3
9Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying — I will make them come and bow down at your feet,3:9 Is 45:14; 49:23; 60:14; 1Co 14:25 and they will know that I have loved you.3:9 Is 43:4
12
“The one who conquers I will make a pillar
3:12
1Kg 7:21; 2Ch 3:17; Jr 1:18; Gl 2:9
in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God — the new Jerusalem,3:12 Ezk 48:35; Gl 4:26; Heb 12:22; Rv 21:2 which comes down out of heaven from my God — and my new name.3:12 Rv 2:17; 7:3; 14:1; 22:4
13
“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
The Letter to Laodicea
14
“Write to the angel of the church in Laodicea: Thus says the Amen,
3:14
2Co 1:20
the faithful and true witness, the originator3:14 Or beginning of God’s creation, or ruler of God’s creation3:14 Mk 10:6; 13:19; Jn 1:1–5; Col 1:18; 2Pt 3:4 of God’s creation:
15I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot.
16So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit3:16 Or spit you out of my mouth.
17For you say, ‘I’m rich; I have become wealthy and need nothing,’3:17 Hs 12:8; Zch 11:5; 1Co 4:8 and you don’t realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
18I advise you to buy from me gold refined in the fire so that you may be rich,3:18 Zch 13:9; 1Pt 1:7 white clothes so that you may be dressed and your shameful nakedness not be exposed,3:18 Gn 2:25; Is 20:4; Ezk 23:29; Rv 16:15 and ointment to spread on your eyes so that you may see.
20See! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.3:20 Lk 24:29–30
22
“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
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