Revelation 3 - Amplified Bible (AMP)

Message to Sardis

3 “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Sardis write:

“These are the words of Him who has [b]the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds; you have a name (reputation) that you are alive, but [in reality] you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen and reaffirm what remains [of your faithful commitment to Me], which is about to die; for I have not found [any of] your deeds completed in the sight of My God or meeting His requirements. 3 So remember and take to heart the lessons you have received and heard. Keep and obey them, and repent [change your sinful way of thinking, and demonstrate your repentance with new behavior that proves a conscious decision to turn away from sin]. So then, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. 4 But you [still] have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes [that is, contaminated their character and personal integrity with sin]; and they will walk with Me [dressed] in white, because they are worthy (righteous). 5 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] will accordingly be dressed in white clothing; and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, and I will confess and openly acknowledge his name before My Father and before His angels [saying that he is one of Mine].(A) 6 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Message to Philadelphia

7 “And to the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [c]Philadelphia write:

“These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He who has the key [to the house] of David, He who opens and no one will [be able to] shut, and He who shuts and no one opens:(B)

8 ‘I know your deeds. See, I have set before you an open door which no one is able to shut, for you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not renounced or denied My name.(C) 9 Take note, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet and make them know [without any doubt] that I have loved you.(D) 10 Because you have kept the word of My endurance [My command to persevere], I will keep you [safe] from the hour of trial, that hour which is about to come on the whole [inhabited] world, to test those who live on the earth.(E) 11 I am coming quickly. Hold tight what you have, so that no one will take your crown [by leading you to renounce the faith]. 12 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a [d]pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name.(F) 13 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Message to Laodicea

14 “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [e]Laodicea write:

“These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the [f]Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:

15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are [g]neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were [h]cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust]. 17 Because you say, “I am rich, and have prospered and grown wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked [without hope and in great need],(G) 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold that has been heated red hot and refined by fire so that you may become truly rich; and white clothes [representing righteousness] to clothe yourself so that the shame of your nakedness will not be seen; and healing salve to put on your eyes so that you may see. 19 Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline [showing them their faults and instructing them]; so be enthusiastic and repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, your sinful behavior—seek God’s will].(H) 20 Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. 21 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.(I) 22 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:1 Sardis (modern Sart, Turkey), in Roman times, was a wealthy city known for the manufacture and dyeing of woolen fabric and carpets. Originally, it was the capital of the ancient Lydian Empire and was the first city to mint coinage (600 b.c.). A stream that flowed through its market place carried gold dust from a nearby mountain. King Croesus of Lydia (560-546 b.c.) financed the building of the great Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (550 b.c.). The city was conquered twice, under Cyrus the Great and under Antiochus, due to lack of adequate watchfulness.
  2. Revelation 3:1 See note 1:4.
  3. Revelation 3:7 Philadelphia (modern Alashehir, Turkey) was a commercial center located on elevated ground overlooking the fertile plain of the Hermus (Gediz) River. In 189 b.c. the king of Pergamum established Philadelphia and named the city to honor his brother.
  4. Revelation 3:12 Like the common phrase “pillar of the community,” this is a metaphor of great honor, but far more so. The statement that the one who overcomes will never leave the temple is assurance that he will never lose the privilege of being in the presence of God and serving Him.
  5. Revelation 3:14 Laodicea, located beside the Lycus River, was a prosperous city about forty miles south of Philadelphia. It had a well-respected financial center, thriving textile production industry (specializing in black wool), and a leading medical school that produced a famous eye salve. Two other cities were in this general area: Colossae, known for its mountain spring of cold, fresh water; and Hierapolis, a site famous for its hot, therapeutic mineral springs.
  6. Revelation 3:14 I.e. Origin of Source.
  7. Revelation 3:15 This phrase and the word lukewarm in v 16 form a metaphor that is probably based on the quality of the water supply of Laodicea, which was delivered by aqueduct from the hot mineral springs about five miles away. During its journey, the water cooled to a warm or lukewarm temperature.
  8. Revelation 3:15 I.e. alive, productive—beneficial in one way or the other.

Cross references

  1. Revelation 3:5 : Ps 69:28; Dan 12:1; Matt 10:32; 1 John 5:5
  2. Revelation 3:7 : Is 22:22
  3. Revelation 3:8 : 1 Cor 16:9; Col 4:3, 4
  4. Revelation 3:9 : Is 45:14; 49:23; 60:14
  5. Revelation 3:10 : Mark 13:9; 2 Thess 2:1-12
  6. Revelation 3:12 : Is 62:2; Ezek 48:35; 1 John 5:5
  7. Revelation 3:17 : Hos 12:8
  8. Revelation 3:19 : Prov 3:11, 12; Heb 5:8; 12:5-7
  9. Revelation 3:21 : 1 John 5:5

You Might Also Like:

Revelation 3 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

3 And to the messenger of the assembly in Sardis write: These things saith he who is having the Seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: I have known thy works, and that thou hast the name that thou dost live, and thou art dead; 2 become watching, and strengthen the rest of the things that are abo...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

3 And to the angel of the church of Sardis write thou, These things saith he, that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars. I know thy works, for thou hast a name, that thou livest, and thou art dead. 2 Be thou waking, and confirm thou other things, that were to dying [and confirm other ...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

3 Write this to the angel of the church people in Sardis: Here are the words of the one who has the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars. `He says, "I know what you do. People say that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! You still have a little life left in you. Make it stronger before ...
Read More

Revelation 3 - World English Bible (WEB)

3 “And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write:“He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things:“I know your works, that you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up and keep the things that remain, which you were about to throw away, for I have f...
Read More

Revelation 3 - The Voice (VOICE)

For centuries many Jews had been scattered throughout the known world, exiled to the lands east of the Jordan River from the promised land by powerful invading nations. After Jerusalem fell in a.d. 70, even more Jews left Judea, this time crossing the Mediterranean looking for some place far from Ro...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Sardis: Coming Like a Thief3 To the angel of Messiah’s community in Sardis write: “Thus says the One having the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your deeds—you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains that was about to die. For I ha...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Message to Sardis3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.“‘I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead. 2 Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not f...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Message to Sardis3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.“‘I know your works; you have the name of being alive, and you are dead. 2 Awake, and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I have not f...
Read More

Revelation 3 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

3 And write to the angel of the Church which is at Sardis: “These things say He Who has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars: ‘I know your works. For you have the reputation that you live, but you are dead. 2 ‘Be awake! And strengthen the things which remain that are ready to die! For I hav...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Letter to Sardis3 ‘Write this to the angel of the church in Sardis. “These are the words of the one who has the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars. I know what you have done. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen the things that remain – the thin...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Message to Sardis3 ‘And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:‘I know your works; you have a name for being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is at the point of death, for I h...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Message to Sardis3 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:“I know your works; you have a name of being alive, but you are dead.(A)2 Wake up and strengthen what remains and is on the point of death, for I ha...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

He instructs and informs the angels of the three remaining congregations, declaring again the reward of the person who overcomes. 3 And write to the messenger of the congregation of Sardis: This says he who has the Spirit of God and the seven stars: I know your works. You have a name that you live, ...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Living Translation (NLT)

The Message to the Church in Sardis3 “Write this letter to the angel[a] of the church in Sardis. This is the message from the one who has the sevenfold Spirit[b] 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. 2 Wake up! Stre...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New Life Version (NLV)

Words to the Church in Sardis3 “Write this to the angel of the church in the city of Sardis: ‘The One Who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: I know what you are doing. I know people think you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Make stronger what you have before it die...
Read More

Revelation 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Dead Church3 “And to the [a]angel of the church in Sardis write,‘These things says He who (A)has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to ...
Read More