Revelation Scroll Number Six 


The Twelve Scrolls of Revelation

Revelation Chapter Three
Verses One Through Three

The Church in Sardis

written by
Kraig J. Rice
www.7-star-admiral.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Clicking on these links will move you down this web page)
Revelation Chapter Three, Verses One Through Three
Revelation 3:1
Revelation 3:1 - Write a Message (in a Scroll)
Revelation 3:1 - The Seven Spirits of God
Revelation 3:1 - The Seven Stars
Revelation 3:1 - I Know Your Works
Revelation 3:1 - Your Name Not Blotted Out
Revelation 3:2
Revelation 3:2 - Wake Up
Revelation 3:3
Revelation 3:3 - Remember
Revelation 3:3 - What You Have Received and Heard
Revelation 3:3 - Repent
Revelation 3:3 - Thief






And to the minister of the church in Sardis- write a message from the One who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars- I know what you are doing (your works), and that you have a name for being alive, but you are (spiritually) dead
(Revelation 3:1).

(Spiritually) wake up, and reestablish the rest of all that is ready to die, for I have not found what you are doing (your works) satisfactory (perfect) in the sight of God
(Revelation 3:2).

Remember what you have (spiritually) received and heard- and continue on (with that) but repent (of your spiritual apostasy). If you will not spiritually wake up, I will come (quickly) as a thief to you but you will not know at what time
(Revelation 3:3).

Are there any Bible scriptures that might help us understand this verse here in Revelation? In my opinion I think so-


Revelation 3:1
And to the angel of the church in Sardis- write a message from the One who 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 (spiritually) dead.




Write a Message (in a Scroll)

It appears this revelation was previously revealed in Revelation Scroll Number Two
(Revelation 2:1). Please journey there for Gods's message or

Click here to go to Revelation 2:1 to study about the authorship of the Word of God


The Seven Spirits of God

It appears this revelation was previously revealed in Revelation Scroll Number One
(Revelation 1:4). Please journey there for Gods's message or

Click here to go to Revelation 1:4 to study about the Seven Spirits of God


The Seven Stars

It appears this revelation was previously revealed in Revelation Scroll Number One
(Revelation 1:16). Please journey there for Gods's message or

Click here to go to Revelation 1:16 to study about the Seven Spirits of God



I Know Your Works

It appears this revelation was previously revealed in Revelation Scroll Number Two
(Revelation 2:2). Please journey there for Gods's message or

Click here to go to Revelation 2:2 to study about works


You Have a Name That You Are Alive, but You Are Dead

This scripture appears to be linked to verse five in this same chapter and scroll. What is this about? A scroll was kept in ancient cities of the names of their alive citizens- the names of the dead were, of course, blotted out or erased. God wants each of His Overcomers to be spiritually alive so their names appear in His scroll of life. The names of the wicked will not appear in His scroll of life.

God reveals this in several scrolls of Revelation:

It is revealed in this Revelation Scroll Number Six-
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Scroll of Life (because he or she is not spiritually dead)- but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels
(Revelation 3:5

It is revealed in Revelation Scroll Number Eleven-
And anyone not found written in the Scroll of Life was cast into the lake of fire
(Revelation 20:15

It is revealed in Revelation Scroll Number Twelve-
But there shall by no means enter it- anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Scroll of Life
(Revelation 21:27

Are there other scrolls in the bible that appear to reveal this? Yes:

...so Moses returned to the Lord and said- alas, these people have committed a terrible sin. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, please forgive their sin- and if not, then blot me out of the record you are keeping. The Lord replied to Moses-
I will blot out whoever has sinned against Me
(Exodus 32:31-33).

...come and rescue me- free me from all my enemies (Psalm 69:18). Erase their names from the Scroll of Life- do not let them be counted among the righteous
(Psalm 69:28).

At the time (of the end) Michael, the archangel who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people, whose name is written in the scroll, will be saved
(Daniel 12:1).

For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter- and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel. And the Lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven- but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash
(2 Kings 14:26-27).


Revelation 3:2
(Spiritually) wake up, and reestablish the rest of all that is ready to (spiritually) die, for I have not found what you are doing (your works) satisfactory (perfect) in the sight of God.




Wake Up

It appears this scripture stands alone and is not repeated in other scrolls of Revelation.

Are there other scrolls in the bible that appear to reveal this? I think so- especially in regards to the watchman who stood guard to help protect an ancient city from attack:
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it- unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain
(Psalm 127:1).

For thus has the Lord said to me- go, set a watchman, let him declare what he sees. And he saw a chariot with a pair of horsemen, a chariot of donkeys, and a chariot of camels, and he listened earnestly with great care. Then he cried- a lion, my Lord! I stand continually on the watchtower in the daytime- I have sat at my post every night. And look, here comes a chariot of men with a pair of horsemen! Then he answered and said- Babylon is fallen, is fallen! And all the carved images of her gods He has broken to the ground
(Isaiah 21:6-9).

Again the word of the Lord came to me, saying- son of man, speak to the children of your people, and say to them- when I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning- his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity- but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand. So you, son of man- I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel- therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked- O wicked man, you shall surely die! and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity- but his blood I will require at your hand. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity- but you have delivered your soul
(Ezekiel 33:1-9).


I would like to share a few of my thoughts here:

This church was spiritually dead. As such it was failing to fulfill it's God willed destiny (I have not found what you are doing satisfactory in symbolism). The Lord began teaching them to spiritually wake up (arise from the dead) and help others spiritually (reestablish the rest of all that is ready to die in symbolism). The Lord warned them to be watchful. Why? I believe that this warning is tied in with the history of their city. Twice this city had been conquered in the past because the night watchman went to sleep on watch (on the job). As a result, the enemy had been able to get over the walls, kill the watchman, and open the city for invasion. The Lord did not want that to spiritually happen to the church in Sardis. They were to be spiritually vigilant so Satan could not take advantage of them.

To make a possible application of this scripture- you and I have to stay alert and be spiritually watchful against Satan and his false teachers. We are not to spiritually fall asleep. Here is what the Apostle Peter stated-

Be sober, be vigilant- because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour
(1 Peter 5:8).


Revelation 3:3
Remember   what you have (spiritually) received and heard- and continue on (with that) but repent (of your spiritual apostasy). If you will not spiritually wake up, I will come (quickly) as a thief to you but you will not know at what time.



Remember

God reveals "remember" in some scrolls of Revelation:

It is revealed in Revelation Scroll Number Two-
Remember where you were at first, and be changed in heart from where you have (spiritually) fallen (due to your spiritual apostasy)- repent and do the first works...
(Revelation 2:5).

and it is revealed here in Revelation Scroll Number Six-
Remember what you have (spiritually) received and heard- hold fast and repent (of your spiritual apostasy)...
(Revelation 3:3).

Are there other scrolls in the bible that appear to reveal this? Yes. Here are a few:

Remember Lot's wife
(Luke 17:32).

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices that they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them- why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying- the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered His words
(Luke 24:1-8).

Then the Jews said- it has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days? But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them- and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said
(John 2:20-22).

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. For they themselves declare concerning us what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come
(1 Thessalonians 1:2-10).

Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains- but the word of God is not chained
(2 Timothy 2:8-9).

But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ- how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit
(Jude 1:17-19).



What You Have (Spiritually) Received and Heard

It appears this scripture stands alone in Revelation and is not repeated in multiple scrolls:

Are there other scrolls in the bible that appear to reveal this? Yes. Here are a few:
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ
(Colossians 2:5-8).

For this is God's will- your purity of life, that you abstain from fornication- that each man among you shall know how to procure a wife who shall be his own in purity and honour- that you be not overmastered by lustful cravings, like the Gentiles who have no knowledge of God- and that in this matter there be no encroaching on the rights of a brother Christian and no overreaching him. For the Lord is an avenger in all such cases, as we have already taught you and solemnly warned you. God has not called us to an unclean life, but to one of purity
(1 Thessalonians 4:3-7).

O Timothy, guard the truths entrusted to you, shunning irreligious and frivolous talk, and controversy with what is falsely called knowledge- of which some have spoken boastfully in connection with the true faith, and have erred...
(1 Timothy 6:20-21).


Repent

It appears this revelation was previously revealed in Revelation Scroll Number Two
(Revelation 2:5). Please journey there for Gods's message or

Click here to go to Revelation 2:5 to study about repentance


Thief

God reveals "thief" in some scrolls of Revelation:

It is revealed here in Revelation Scroll Number Six-
I will come (quickly) as a thief to you but you will not know at what time...
(Revelation 3:3).

and it is revealed in Revelation Scroll Number Ten-
Behold, I am coming as a thief
(Revelation 16:15).

Are there other scrolls in the bible that appear to reveal this? Yes. Here are a few:

But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect
(Luke 12:39-40).

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly
(John 10:10).

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say- peace and safety- then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him
(1 Thessalonians 5:1-10).

But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat- both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness
(2 Peter 3:10-11).

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction- but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen
(Jude 1:20-25).





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