Revelation – Chapter 3

New Testament22 Verses

1And to the angel of the church of Sardis write: These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: I know thy works, and that thou hast the name of being alive. And thou art dead.

2Be watchful and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I find not thy works full before my God.

3Have in mind therefore in what manner thou hast received and heard: and observe and do penance: If then thou shalt not watch, I will come to thee as a thief: and thou shalt not know at what hour I will come to thee.

4But thou hast a few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments: and they shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy.

5He that shall overcome shall thus be clothed in white garments: and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. And I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

7And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia write: These things saith the Holy One and the true one, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, shutteth and no man openeth:

8I know thy works. Behold, I have given before thee a door opened, which no man can shut: because thou hast a little strength and hast kept my word and hast not denied my name.

9Behold, I will bring of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but do lie. Behold, I will make them to come and adore before thy feet. And they shall know that I have loved thee.

10Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon the whole world to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12He that shall overcome, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God: and he shall go out no more. And I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.

13He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

14And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the beginning of the creation of God:

15I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot. I would thou wert cold or hot.

16But because thou art lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will begin to vomit thee out of my mouth.

17Because thou sayest: I am rich and made wealthy and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.

18I counsel thee to buy of me gold, fire tried, that thou mayest be made rich and mayest be clothed in white garments: and that the shame of thy nakedness may not appear. And anoint thy eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

19Such as I love, I rebuke and chastise. Be zealous therefore and do penance.

20Behold, I stand at the gate and knock. If any man shall hear my voice and open to me the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him: and he with me.

21To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my throne: as I also have overcome and am set down with my Father in his throne.

22He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.

Reflection for Today

The message of Revelation Chapter 3 unfolds within the broader narrative of Christ's victory and the new creation. Catholic theology, drawing on Revelation reveals the Church's ultimate destiny (CIC 1042-1050), sees in this chapter a call to deeper faith. The principle that Behold, I am making all things new guides our interpretation.

The Church Fathers, including St. Augustine, St. Jerome, and St. John Chrysostom, devoted themselves to explaining Scripture for the faithful. Their insights, preserved in the Church's Tradition, continue to illuminate our reading. The Catechism reminds us that "the Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord" (CIC 103).

As you engage with this chapter, bring your questions, struggles, and hopes to the text. God's Word addresses the whole person—mind, heart, and will. Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we receive the grace to live what we read. May this chapter strengthen your faith and deepen your love for Christ and His Church.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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