The Last Three Churches In Revelation

The Dead Church
Revelation 3:1-6

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He 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 dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.  “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

The Faithful Church
Revelation 3:7-13

   
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’  

   The Lukewarm Church
Revelation 3:14-22

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’”

John was left forsaken on the island called Patmos, but God never left him. In John’s time of abandonment on some of the worse piece of property; God showed him things to come. In this particular chapter, John was told to write what he saw and send it to the seven churches of Asia.

The seventh and last church was the Laodicean Church, which seems to represents the coldest and hardest of all the churches. They had left their first love. The first and greatest commandment is to, “love the Lord thy God with all of our heart, mind and soul.”

Being cold in this passage speaks of being formal or without spiritual life. Lukewarm represents straddling the fence or indifferent, as having religion but not a relationship with Christ. Hot would represent that believer that has a passionate love for Christ and walks in the path God has ordained for them.

The Wake up Call is here. It is unfortunate, but many in our churches are making the same mistake as the Laodicean Church. Materialism and greed, that is so prevalent in our world today. Like today, this church had been deceived by Satan; Christ said they needed eye salve so that they might see. The Holy Spirit is the only one that can give clear vision.

This Church had grown indifferent in their commitment to God. Satan had deceived them in thinking they were in need of nothing. They were high on the social record; they had bank accounts, investments, you name it, they were at the top of the list; However, the Gospel was not being preached and truth had been abandoned. This proves that you cannot measure God’s kingdom by how much you have on this earth. Man will look on the outward appearance but God sees the heart. It is not bad to have material things, as long as you recognize where they came from and what God wants you to do with what He has permitted you to have.

The Lord said, “Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. 'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.

He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

There is a way back for those who leave God out of worship. But we must hurry; judgment will fall for our disobedience to put God first.