Revelation
Summary
Christ concludes His messages to the seven churches by addressing Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Sardis is rebuked for having a "name that you live" while being spiritually dead, though a few are commended for not defiling their garments. Philadelphia receives a message of encouragement, as Christ has set before them an "open door" which no one can shut, and promises to keep them from the "hour of trial." Finally, Laodicea is famously rebuked for being "lukewarm", neither cold nor hot, and is urged to buy "gold tried in the fire." The chapter ends with the iconic image of Christ standing at the door and knocking.
And to the angel of the church in Sardis write; "These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.
"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found your works perfect before God.
"Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you.
"You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy.
"He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; "These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens, and no one shuts; and shuts, and no one opens;
"I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
"Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
"Because you have kept the word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of trial, which shall come upon all the world, to test those who dwell upon the earth.
"Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no one take your crown.
"Him who overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; "These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot: I would you were cold or hot.
"So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.
"Because you say, 'I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing'; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
"I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see.
"As many as I love, I rebuke and discipline: be zealous therefore, and repent.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any person hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.
"To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am sat down with My Father in His throne.
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."