Rev. 3 Rev. 2:1–6 What John was commanded to write in commendation or reproof to the angels of the churches of Sardis, Rev. 2:7–13 Philadelphia, Rev. 2:14–22 and Laodicea.

The angel of the church: See Poole on “Rev. 2:12”. Write: See Poole on “Rev. 1:11”. The seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars: See Poole on “Rev. 1:3”, See Poole on “Rev. 1:20”.

Be watchful, against sin, and unto thy duty, to perform it in a better manner than formerly. And strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; improve those gifts and good habits which are left thee as yet, but are faint and ready to die, if thou dost not look after the improvement and…

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard; to wit, from the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. All true reformation, either of doctrine or manners, lies in the reduction of it to the doctrine delivered, and the rules of life given by them.

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis, a few persons even in that polluted place, which have not defiled their garments; who have kept their integrity and innocency.

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; he that overcometh in the spiritual fight, shall be honoured as a triumpher. And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life; that is, I will give him everlasting life: the phrase is an allusion to men who use to keep books,…

The common conclusion of all the epistles: See Poole on “Rev. 2:7”, See Poole on “Rev. 2:11”, See Poole on “Rev. 2:17”, See Poole on “Rev. 2:29”. Those who make these churches typical, and the epistles prophetical of the complexion of all the churches of Christ which shall be to the end of the…

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: See Poole on “Rev. 1:20”, See Poole on “Rev. 2:1”. Of this Philadelphia we read no more in holy writ.

I know thy works: it is very probable, that our Lord, by these ministers’ works, understands the works proper to them in their function, their labour in preaching and propagating the gospel, which Christ did not only know and observe, but also approve of, and promiseth them a liberty to go on, and…

Them of the synagogue of Satan; so he calleth all Jews that opposed Christianity, or all pretended but not real professors. Which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie: For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is of the flesh; but he is a Jew, which is…

Because thou hast kept the word of my patience: the doctrine of the gospel is, unquestionably, the word here called the word of the Lord’s patience, because it was that word, that doctrine, which (as those times went) could not he adhered to and observed without much patience in those that adhered…

Behold, I come quickly; ταχυ, which certainly is the same with εν ταχει; and it might be as well concluded, that the day of judgment should come by that time Rome pagan should cease, as that all things written in this book had their accomplishment in that time, because Christ told John they should…

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God: though by the temple of God in this place some understand the church of Christ on earth, where those always were, and are, and always shall be, most famous, who have overcome temptations best, from the world, the flesh, and the…

This we have met with at the close of every epistle: See Poole on “Rev. 3:7”. Those who think these churches were typical, and the matter of the epistles not only didactic and corrective, but prophetical, say, this church of Philadelphia was a type of all gospel churches which were to be in the…

We read of this church, Col. 4:16. Laodicea was a city in Lydia, by the river Lycus: see Rev. 1:11. These things saith the Amen: Amen, as we have oft noted, is a particle used in asserting, and in wishing, or praying; here it hath the use of a noun, and is assertive, he that is true, as it…

I know thy works; I know and observe thy behaviour, thy ministerial function. That thou art neither cold nor hot; thou art neither openly profane and grossly scandalous, like heathens, or such as make no profession; nor yet hast thou any true zeal or warmth, either for the faith once delivered to…

Neither cold nor hot; partly good, partly bad, having something of profession, nothing of the life and power of religion; contenting thyself that thou art not a Jew, nor a pagan; not a superstitious, idolatrous person; but a Christian, a protestant, a minister, or member of the Reformed church; yet…

Because thou sayest, I am rich: it was said before, that one reason why the condition of a formalist is worse than that of an atheist, or more openly profane person, is, because the former is ordinarily proud and self-conceited, and hath something to stop the mouth of his natural conscience with,…

Buying being the usual way amongst men to procure what they want, it is not to be wondered at, that the procuring of that spiritual blessing here mentioned is expressed under this notion; though our buying of God spiritual good things be (as the prophet expresseth it, Isa.

I rebuke and chasten; elegcw kai paideuw the words may be translated, I convince and instruct, or deal with them as children; but it also signifies to chasten, and is so translated, 1 Cor. 11:32, Heb. 12:7; we translate it learn, 1 Tim. 1:20.

There is a double interpretation of this text, each of them claiming under very valuable interpreters; some making it a declaration of Christ’s readiness to come in to souls, and to give them a spiritual fellowship and communion with himself; others interpreting it of Christ’s readiness to come to…

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne; I will give him great honour, dignity, and power; he shall judge the world in the day of judgment, 1 Cor. 6:3, the twelve, tribes of Israel, Matt. 19:28; he shall be made partaker of my glory, John 17:22, John 17:24.

We have had this in the conclusion of every epistle before: see Rev. 2:7, Rev. 2:11, Rev. 2:17, Rev. 2:29, and in Rev. 3:6, Rev. 3:13. Those who make these churches typical of all Christian churches, from the time John had this Revelation, and prophetical of the complexion of the Christian churches…