The letter to Sardis

The risen Lord said:

1This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Sardis:

I have the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. Listen to what I say.

I know what you are doing. Everyone may think you are alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! You have only a little strength left, and it is almost gone. So try to become stronger. I have found that you are not completely obeying God. 3Remember the teaching that you were given and that you heard. Hold firmly to it and turn from your sins. If you don't wake up, I will come when you least expect it, just as a thief does.3.3: Mt 24.43,44; Lk 12.39,40; Rev 16.15.

4A few of you in Sardis have not dirtied your clothes with sin. You will walk with me in white clothes, because you are worthy. 5Everyone who wins the victory will wear white clothes. Their names will not be erased from the book of life,3.5 book of life: The book in which the names of God's people are written. and I will tell my Father and his angels that they are my followers.3.5: a Ex 32.32,33; Ps 69.28; Rev 20.12; b Mt 10.32; Lk 12.8.

6If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

The letter to Philadelphia

The risen Lord continued:

7This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia:3.7: Is 22.22; Job 12.14.

I am the one who is holy and true, and I have the keys that belonged to David.3.7 the keys that belonged to David: The keys stand for authority over David's kingdom. When I open a door, no one can close it. And when I close a door, no one can open it. Listen to what I say.

8I know everything you have done. And I have placed before you an open door that no one can close. You were not very strong, but you obeyed my message and did not deny that you are my followers.3.8 did not deny that you are my followers: Or “did not say evil things about me.” 9Now you will see what I will do with those people who belong to Satan's group. They claim to be Jews, but they are liars. I will make them come and kneel down at your feet. Then they will know that I love you.3.9: a Is 49.23; 60.14; b Is 43.4.

10You obeyed my message and endured. So I will protect you from the time of testing that everyone in all the world must go through. 11I am coming soon. So hold firmly to what you have, and no one will take away the crown that you will be given as your reward.

12Everyone who wins the victory will be made into a pillar in the temple of my God, and they will stay there for ever. I will write on each of them the name of my God and the name of his city. It is the new Jerusalem that my God will send down from heaven. I will also write on them my own new name.3.12: a Rev 21.2; b Is 62.2; 65.15.

13If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

The letter to Laodicea

The risen Lord continued:

14This is what you must write to the angel of the church in Laodicea:3.14: Pr 8.22.

I am the one called Amen!3.14 Amen: Meaning “Trustworthy”. I am the faithful and true witness and the source3.14 source: Or “beginning”. of God's creation. Listen to what I say.

15I know everything you have done, and you are not cold or hot. I wish you were either one or the other. 16But since you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17You claim to be rich and successful and to have everything you need. But you don't know how badly off you are. You are pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.

18Buy your gold from me. It has been refined in a fire, and it will make you rich. Buy white clothes from me. Wear them and you can cover-up your shameful nakedness. Buy medicine for your eyes, so that you will be able to see.

19I correct and punish everyone I love. So make up your minds to turn away from your sins.3.19: Pr 3.12; He 12.6. 20Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together. 21Everyone who wins the victory will sit with me on my throne, just as I won the victory and sat with my Father on his throne.

22If you have ears, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.