Bible Commentaries

unto = to.

angel . . . church. See Revelation 1:20.

Sardis. The ancient capital of Lydia. Its commercial activity attracted merchants from all parts of Asia. The remains of a vast temple to Cybele (the "mother of the gods") still exist.

seven Spirits. See Revelation 1:4.

God. App-98.

seven, &c. See Revelation 1:20.

stars. See Revelation 1:16.

a name, &c. Not suited for this dispensation of grace, for Christ's people now live "in Him". We who were dead are now alive in Christ.

livest. See App-170.

dead. App-139.

Be = Become.

watchful. See Matthew 24:42.

the . . . remain = the remaining (things). App-124.

are = were, with the texts.

perfect. App-125.

hold fast. Greek. tereo. Same as "keep" in Revelation 1:3.

repent. See Revelation 2:5.

on thee. The texts omit.

as, &c. See Revelation 16:15. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. 2 Peter 3:10.

know. App-132. These words are not addressed to the members of the "church which is His body" (Ephesians 1:22, Ephesians 1:23). See 2 Thessalonians 2:1. 1 Timothy 3:16. We do not "watch" for the "thief", but "wait" for the Lord.

Thou. The texts read "But thou".

even. The texts omit.

have, &c. = defiled not.

defiled. Greek. moluno. Only here; Revelation 14:4. 1 Corinthians 8:7. The noun Occurs only in 2 Corinthians 7:1.

garments. Greek. himation. First of seven occurances: (see App-197) in Rev.

worthy. See App-197.

overcometh. See Revelation 2:7.

the same. The texts read "thus".

blot out. Occurances: Revelation 7:17; Revelation 21:4 (wipe away). Acts 3:19. Colossians 2:14.

book, &c. See Philippians 4:3.

life. App-170.

but = and.

confess, &c. See Matthew 10:32.

Father. App-98.

He, &c. See Revelation 2:7.

Philadelphia. About thirty miles south-east of Sardis. Very little known of it beyond a few references in Pliny, but the Greek name indicates a Macedonian population.

Holy = The Holy One. See Revelation 4:8. Compare Hosea 11:9, &c. The Greek hagios occurs twenty-six times in Rev. See App-197.

True. App-175.

key of David. See Isaiah 22:22.

no man = no one. Greek. oudeis.

behold. App-133.

set = given.

strength App-172.1; Revelation 176:1.

hast kept = didst keep. Same word as "hold fast", Revelation 3:3.

word App-121.

hast not denied = didst not deny.

My name. In opposition to confessing (See Revelation 2:13) the name of the beast, Revelation 13:17; Revelation 14:9, Revelation 14:11, Revelation 14:12.

will make = give.

synagogue, &c. See Revelation 2:9.

Satan. App-19, and See Revelation 2:9.

Jews. See Revelation 2:9.

make. i.e. compel.

worship. Greek. proskuneo. App-137. Occurs twenty-four times (App-10) in Rev. Twelve times connected with worship of God, eleven times with worship of Satan and the beast, and here.

have. Omit.

loved. App-135.

temptation = trial. Greek. peirasmos. Only occurrence in Rev.

shall = is about to.

world. App-129.

try = test. Greek. peirazo. Here, and Revelation 2:2, Revelation 2:10.

earth. App-129. Compare Zephaniah 1:14-18.

Behold. Omit.

hold . . . fast. Same Greek. word as Revelation 2:1, Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:14, Revelation 2:15, Revelation 2:25, not as Revelation 3:3.

that = in order that. Greek. hina.

no rnan = no one. Greek. medeis. These words do not relate to such as through grace are perfect "in Him". See Romans 8:38, Romans 8:39.

Temple = sanctuary. Greek. naos. See Matthew 23:16 and App-88.

upon. App-104.

new Jerusalem. See Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:3, Revelation 21:10. Compare Psalms 48:1, Psalms 48:2, Psalms 48:8, Psalms 48:9. Ezekiel 48:35. See App-88and App-197.4.

new, new. Greek. kainos. See Matthew 9:17.

heaven. See Matthew 6:9. Occurs fifty-two times in Rev., always in sing, save Revelation 12:12.

new name. See Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4. Isaiah 62:2; Isaiah 65:15. Contrast the name branded on the worshippers of the beast, Revelation 13:16; Revelation 14:11; Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:4.

of, &c. = in (Greek. en) Laodicea (an important city of Phrygia, a few miles west of Colosse. Rebuilt by Antiochus II, and named after his wife, Laodice).

the Amen. A Hebrew word transliterated. See 2 Corinthians 1:20 and p. 1511.

faithful. App-150.

Witness. See p. 1511.

beginning. App-172. Compare Proverbs 8:22-31. Colossians 1:15-19.

lukewarm. Greek. chliaros. Only here.

will = am about to.

spue. Greek. emeo. Only here. Occurs: Isaiah 19:14 (Septuagint)

nothing. Greek. oudeis.

knowest. App-132.

wretched = the wretched one. See Romans 7:24, and compare Hosea 2:11; Hosea 5:15.

poor. App-127.

buy. The members of the church of this dispensation have nothing to buy and nothing to pay with; our salvation is the free-grace gift of God.

the. Omit.

fire. Compare Haggai 2:8. Zechariah 13:9. Malachi 3:3.

be clothed = clothe thyself.

do not appear = be not (App-105) made manifest (App-106). Compare Revelation 16:15.

see. App-133.

love. App-135. This is preceded by Greek. ean (App-118. a). Compare Isaiah 43:4; &c.

rebuke = convict. Greek. elencho. See John 16:8.

stand. Literally have taken my station.

knock. The call to the wedding feast (Revelation 19:9), to which the parables pointed, e.g. Luke 12:35-38 "when He cometh and knocketh". The popular belief that the Lord is ever knocking at the hearts of sinners is a distortion of Scripture akin to blasphemy.

any man. App-123.

sup, &c. A gracious promise to His servants (See Revelation 1:1). See Luke 12:37.

am set down = sat down. See Acts 2:33, Acts 2:34. Ephesians 1:20, Ephesians 1:21. Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 8:1. The Lord now stands (Rev 1), and is about to come down in judgment.