1“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.
2Wake up and strengthen what remains, which was about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God.
3Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
4But you do have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments, and because they are worthy, they will walk with Me in white.
5Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.
6He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
7To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.
8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.
9Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.
10Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
12The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write 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), and My new name.
13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
14To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.
15I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other!
16So because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to vomit you out of My mouth!
17You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.
18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
19Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.
20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
21To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
— Revelation 3

Related Resources from Heartlight

"Here I am! I stand at the door...
Illustration of Revelation 3:14, 20

Illustration of Revelation 3:14, 20 -- These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. ... "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

God Protects All Who Persevere in...
Illustration of Revelation 3:10-11 NLT

Illustration of Revelation 3:10-11 NLT -- Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.

Hear the Invitation
Illustration of Revelation 3:20, 22 NIV

Illustration of Revelation 3:20, 22 NIV -- [In his revelation to John, Jesus said,]  "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. ... Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

I Know All the Things You Do
Illustration of Revelation 3:1-2 NLT

Illustration of Revelation 3:1-2 NLT -- [In his revelation to John, Jesus said,]  "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit of God and the seven stars: 'I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive — but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God.'"

God's New Temple
Illustration of Revelation 3:13 NIV

Illustration of Revelation 3:13 NIV -- [In his revelation to John, Jesus said,]  "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Hear What the Spirit Says!
Illustration of Revelation 3:6 NIV

Illustration of Revelation 3:6 NIV -- [In his revelation to John, Jesus said,]  "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

I Stand at the Door
Illustration of Revelation 3:20

Inspirational illustration of Revelation 3:20 -- Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

Look who is knocking!
Illustration of Revelation 3:20

Inspirational illustration of Revelation 3:20 The Voice -- Now pay attention; I am standing at the door and knocking. If any of you hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to visit with you and to share a meal at your table, and you will be w