Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle John – Revelation
An Intimate Review
Pt 5
By Lawrence DeMetrius

The Church of Sardis: The Dying Church

In [Rev 3:1] Apostle John notes how THE DIVINE is not impressed by notoriety one may receive of men when they are in a dying state. This was the case with the Church of Sardis. Yahweh acknowledges their reputation for being an active assembly when in fact they are spiritually dead. In [Rev 3:2] The Church of Sardis is instructed to be WATCHFUL and STRENGHTEN what REMAINED but was about to DIE. This was so because Christ did not find their WORKS PERFECT before His FATHER. Members of the Body of Christ are expected to be active and produce according to their several abilities. Anything less will not be tolerated for very long. [Mt 24:14, 15; Jn 15:1-8]

*watchful Gk #1127 gregoreuo (gray-gor-yoo-o) it means to keep awake, watch and be vigilant

*strengthen Gk #4741 sterizo (stay-rid-zo) it means to set fast, confirm and turn resolutely in a certain direction

*remain Gk #3062 loipoi (loy-poy) it means the remaining ones

*die Gk #599 apothnesko (ap-oth-nace-ko) it means to die off

*works Gk #2041 ergon (er-gon) it is an act and toil as an effort or occupation

*perfect Gk #4137 pleroo (play-ro-o) it means to…
1. cram into a net or level up as a hollow
2. furnish, influence, satisfy or execute an office
3. verify or coincide with a prediction
4. make replete, which is to…
a. complete, fill or abundantly supply or provide
b. fill, stuff or gorge with nutritional substance
In [Rev 3:2-6] it appears that the Church of Sardis became more occupied with other goals, then effectively fulfilling their duties as ambassadors of Christ. They were admonished to recall how they initially heard and received the divine Gospel. They were instructed to hold fast and repent of their dying devotion to their holy calling as ministers of GOD. In so doing, they would secure the opportunity of being found of Christ ready and doing divine ministry, when He returns to distribute rewards. [Heb 9:28; Mt 24:46] Those found worthy will walk in white garments with Christ and keep their names from being blotted out of the Book of Life. They will also of Christ receive honorable mention, by being announced by name to Yahweh and HIS angelic hosts as faithful servants. [Mt 16:24-27]

The Church of Philadelphia: The Loyal Church

In [Rev 3:7] Apostle John writes about the KEY of King David, which is purposed to SHUT and OPEN certain doors for the servants of GOD. Only Christ holds the KEY of David, and is the only One Who can SHUT doors no mortal can OPEN and OPEN doors no mortal can SHUT. Per His mortal lineage, He is the descendent of King David Who Yahweh has given all power in heaven and earth. [Mt 28:18] Only His authority can destroy the influence of satanic powers over and within the mortal mind. [Mt 28:18; Jn 8:12, 31, 32, 36; 14:6; Heb 4:12; 7:25]

*key Gk #2807 kleis (klice) it is a shutting lock

*David Gk #1138 Dabid (dab-eed) refers to David, the Israelite King

*openeth Gk #455 anoigo (an-oy-go) it means to open up literally and figuratively

*shutteth Gk #2808 kleio (kli-o) it means to close literally or figuratively

*key English
1. a small metal instrument specially cut to fit into a lock and move its bolt
2. any of various devices resembling or functioning as a key
3. key card
4. something that affords a means of access
5. something that secures or controls entrance to a place
6. something that affords a means of clarifying a problem
7. spiritual authority

I. spiritual means…
1. of, relating to, or consisting of spirit
2. of, relating to, or characteristic of nonmaterial beings
3. of or relating to the spirit or soul, as distinguished from the physical body and its nature
4. closely akin in interests, attitude, outlook
5. of or relating to spirits or to spiritualists
6. supernatural, spiritualistic and characterized by or suggesting predominance of the spirit
7. of or relating to the spirit as the seat of the moral or religious nature
8. of or relating to religious, sacred things or matters
9. ecclesiastical or belonging to the church
10. of or relating to the mind or intellect

II. authority is…
1. the power to determine, adjudicate, or otherwise settle issues or disputes
2. jurisdiction, power or delegated influence
3. the right to control, command, or determine

In [Rev 3:8] Apostle John notes that unto those who are loyal to GOD through Christ, is set an OPEN-DOOR that no man can SHUT. Christ also said per Apostle John’s Gospel that He is the DOOR through which the flock of Yahweh freely pass in and out of and find pasture. [Jn 10]

*door Gk #2374 thura (thoo-rah) it is a portal, opening or closure of an entrance

THREE REASONS are given as to why only the loyal have this OPEN DOOR set before them.

1. They have LITTLE STRENGTH. [Jn 15:5; II Cor 12:9, 10]

*little Gk #3398 mikros (mik-ros) it means small in size, quantity and number and figurative of dignity
*strength Gk #1411 dunamis doo-nam-is) it is miraculous power implied by a miracle itself and force, which is…
1. physical power or strength possessed by a living being
2. strength or power exerted upon an object
3. physical coercion, violence and strength
4. energy, power and intensity
5. efficacious power to influence, affect, or control

2. They KEPT the WORD of Christ. [Jn 8:21, 32]

*kept Gk #5083 tereo (tay-reh-o) it means to…
o guard from loss or injury by keeping the eye upon
o fulfill a command and detain in custody
o maintain, withhold for personal ends and keep unmarried

*word Gk #3056 logos (log-os) it is…
o something said including the thought
o topic or subject of discourse
o reasoning of the mental faculty
o motive and computation, which is the making sense of a thing
o the Divine Expression of Christ the Word per John’s writings

3. They did not DENY the Name of Jesus Christ. [Mt 10:33]

*denied Gk #720 areneomai (ar-neh-om-ahee) it means to contradict, disavow or reject

*name Gk #3686 onoma (on-om-ah) it is one’s name, authority and character

In [Rev 3:9] Apostle John notes that GOD will make the LIARS of Lucifer’s SYNOGOGUE, who pretend to be divine worshipers, to COME and WORSHIP before the FEET of HIS true worshipers. In so doing, the LIARS will KNOW how much THE LORD LOVES those who LOVE HIM. [Pro. 8:17, 21, 35, 36; Isa 1:18-20; Amos 3:3]

*lie Gk #5574 pseudomai (psyoo-dom-ahee) it means to utter an untruth and attempt to deceive by falsehood
*worship Gk #4352 proskuneo (pros-koo-neh-o) it means to fawn or crouch to, prostrate oneself in homage to, adore, and to reverence

*feet Gk #4228 pous (pooce) it is a foot or footstool [Rm 10:14, 15]

*know Gk #1097 ginosko (ghin-oce-ko) it means to understand and know absolutely

*loved Gk #25 agapao (ag-ap-ah-o) it means to love in a social and moral sense

In [Rev 2:10] Christ said that because His loyal followers have KEPT or KEEP His Word of patience, He will KEEP them from the HOUR of TEMPTATION, that comes upon all the WORLD to TRY all them that dwell on the earth.

*kept/keep Gk #5083 tereo (tay-reh-o) it means to…
o guard from loss of injury by keeping the eye upon
o note a prophecy and fulfill a command
o maintain or detain in custody
o withhold for personal ends and keep unmarried

*patience Gk #5281 hupomone (hoop-om-nay) it means cheerful or hopeful endurance and constancy [Jn 8:31, 32, 36; Mt 5:19; Jam 1:21-25; Eze 8:4,19-21, 32, 32]

*hour Gk #5610 hora (ho-rah) it is literally and figuratively an hour, day, instant, season, even, eventide and high time

*temptation Gk #3986 peirasmos (pi-ras-mos) it is adversity and a putting to proof by experiment of good and experience of evil, discipline or provocation

*world Gk #3625 oikoumene (oy-kou-men-ay) it is land, the terrene part of the globe and specifically the Roman empire

*try Gk #3985 peirazo (pi-rad-zo) it means to test objectively, endeavor, scrutinize discipline, examine and prove

*dwell Gk #2730 katoikeo (kat-oy-keh-o) it means to reside or permanently house

*earth Gk #1093 ge (ghay) it is soil, region and the solid part of the earth including its inhabitants

In [Rev 2:11] Apostle John gives a description of Christ’s Second Advent, which no one knows will occur including Christ and the Holy Angels. [Acts 1:9; Mt 13:32] However, when it happens, it will be QUICK. Therefore, Christ admonishes His loyal disciples to HOLD FAST to what He has imparted unto them, and let no one to TAKE their CROWN by any means.

*quickly Gk #5035 tachu (takh-oo) it means shortly, without delay, soon, by surprise, suddenly, easy and readily

*hold Gk #2902 krateo (krat-eh-o) it means to seize, retain and use strength

*fast Gk #2722 katecho (kat-ekh-o) it means to hold down, hold fast and keep in memory

*crown Gk #4735 stephanos (stef-an-os-) it is a chaplet or badge of royalty and honor

The Elect of GOD are admonished to maintain the mindset of the Church of Philadelphia. They realized the truth of their own mortal weakness and placed no confidence therein. The Lord Jesus said,

Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
[Mt 26:41]

Apostle Paul writes,

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
[Phil 3:3]

For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
[Rm 7:22-25]

As it is clear that one’s CARNAL NATURE is weak, they must rely on the strength of Christ within to finally attain spiritual perfection. [Isa 40:29-31] King Solomon writes,

For the Lord shall be thy confidence: and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
[Pro 3:26]

The Lord Jesus said,

…for without Me ye can do nothing.
[Jn 15:5]

My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
[II Cor 12:9, 10]

Apostle Paul writes,

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
[Eph 6:10]


In [Rev 3:12, 13] Christ also promises to loyal disciples, everlasting residence in the ultimate place of divine worship, and the inscription of the new NAMES of Yahweh, Christ’s and the NEW JERUSALEM.


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