3:1 “To1 the angel of the church in Sardis write the following:2
“This is the solemn pronouncement of3 the one who holds4 the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a reputation5 that you are alive, but6 in reality7 you are dead. 3:2 Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about8 to die, because I have not found your deeds complete9 in the sight10 of my God. 3:3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard,11 and obey it,12 and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never13 know at what hour I will come against14 you. 3:4 But you have a few individuals15 in Sardis who have not stained16 their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed17 in white, because they are worthy. 3:5 The one who conquers18 will be dressed like them19 in white clothing,20 and I will never21 erase22 his name from the book of life, but23 will declare24 his name before my Father and before his angels. 3:6 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
To the Church in Philadelphia
3:7 “To25 the angel of the church in Philadelphia write the following:26
“This is the solemn pronouncement of27 the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors28 no one can shut, and shuts doors29 no one can open: 3:8 ‘I know your deeds. (Look! I have put30 in front of you an open door that no one can shut.)31 I know32 that you have little strength,33 but34 you have obeyed35 my word and have not denied my name. 3:9 Listen!36 I am going to make those people from the synagogue37 of Satan—who say they are Jews yet38 are not, but are lying—Look, I will make39 them come and bow down40 at your feet and acknowledge41 that I have loved you. 3:10 Because you have kept42 my admonition43 to endure steadfastly,44 I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one can take away45 your crown.46 3:12 The one who conquers47 I will make48 a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never depart from it. I49 will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from my God),50 and my new name as well. 3:13 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
To the Church in Laodicea
3:14 “To51 the angel of the church in Laodicea write the following:52
“This is the solemn pronouncement of53 the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the originator54 of God’s creation: 3:15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.55 I wish you were either cold or hot! 3:16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going56 to vomit57 you out of my mouth! 3:17 Because you say, “I am rich and have acquired great wealth,58 and need nothing,” but59 do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful,60 poor, blind, and naked, 3:18 take my advice61 and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me62 white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness63 will not be exposed, and buy eye salve64 to put on your eyes so you can see! 3:19 All those65 I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent! 3:20 Listen!66 I am standing at the door and knocking! If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come into his home67 and share a meal with him, and he with me. 3:21 I will grant the one68 who conquers69 permission70 to sit with me on my throne, just as I too conquered71 and sat down with my Father on his throne. 3:22 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”
The Amazing Scene in Heaven