\\INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 3\\

This chapter contains the epistles to the churches at Sardis,
Philadelphia, and Laodicea, and begins with that to Sardis; in which
the sender describes himself by some things taken out of a former
description of him; and gives an account of the state of this
church; that her works were known by him, which were imperfect; and
that she had the name of a living church, but was dead; wherefore
she is exhorted to watchfulness and diligence, to remember how she
had heard and received the Gospel, and to hold it fast, and repent
of her sins: if not, he threatens to come as a thief unawares upon
her, \\#Re 3:1-3\\, but excepts some few persons from this general
account, who were not defiled with the corruptions of the majority,
and who therefore should be favoured with communion with him,
\\#Re 3:4\\, and then some gracious promises are made to persevering
saints, and the epistle is concluded in the usual form, \\#Re 3:5,6\\.
Next follows the epistle to the church at Philadelphia; in which the
sender assumes some peculiar titles not before mentioned, taken from
his holiness, truth, and power, \\#Re 3:7\\, signifies his approbation
of her works; declares he had set before her an open door, which
could not be shut; affirms she had a little strength, and commends
her for keeping his word, \\#Re 3:8\\, and, for her encouragement,
promises that some persons, formerly of bad characters, should come
and worship before her, and should know what an interest she had in
his love; and that since she had kept his word, he would keep her
from an hour of temptation, which will be a trying time to all the
world, \\#Re 3:9,10\\, and in consideration of his speedy coming, he
exhorts her to hold fast what she had, that she might not lose her
honour and glory; and promises the overcomer a fixed place and name
in the house of God; and closes the epistle as the rest, \\#Re 3:11-13\\,
and then follows the last epistle of all, which is that to
the church at Laodicea; in which the sender describes himself by
some characters taken from his truth and faithfulness, and from his
eternity, power, and dominion, \\#Re 3:14\\, represents the members of
this church as lukewarm, and very disagreeable to him, \\#Re 3:15,16\\,
and as having a vain opinion of themselves, being ignorant of their
real state and case, \\#Re 3:17\\, wherefore he gives them some
wholesome counsel and advice, suitable to their condition, \\#Re 3:18\\,
and whereas there were some among them he loved, he lets them know
that his rebukes and chastenings were from love, and with a view to
stimulate them to zeal, and bring them to repentance, which became
them, \\#Re 3:19\\, and then he informs them where he was, what he
expected from them, and what they might upon a suitable behaviour
enjoy with him, \\#Re 3:20\\, and next promises to the overcomer great
honour and glory, such as he had with his Father; and concludes the
epistle in his usual manner, \\#Re 3:21,22\\.