Christ threatens to “come as a thief” upon those who do not “watch.”  In similitudes, we are not to indulge a licentious fancy in our attempts to interpret them.  The objects of the thief’s visit and that of Christ are not the point of resemblance; for “the thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.”  The point, and the only point of resemblance, is the suddenness of the visit.  Ignorance or neglect of this rule of interpretation has been a fruitful source of error, especially in expounding Revelation.

In this epistle, the order hitherto observed by the Saviour is reversed.  What was praiseworthy in other churches was first noticed.  Here the commendation follows the reproof.  “Thou hast a few names,” etc.  A virtuous minority are “undefiled in the way.”  They have nobly withstood the prevailing contamination, and therefore Christ will admit them to fellowship and honor.  The victor shall be “clothed in white raiment,”—­grace shall be perfected in glory; and their names, which were inscribed in the book of life,—­the register of the church of the first-born, shall be confessed by Christ “before his Father and before his angels,” as having “followed the Lamb,” when others went back like Orpah. (Ruth i. 15.) Let those who, having “put their hand to the plough,” are tempted to “look back,” consider “what the Spirit saith” to the church in Sardis.

7.  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:  These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8.  I know thy works:  behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:  for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and has not denied my name.

9.  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

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

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

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

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