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J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible

Revelation 3:12

He that overcometh, I will make, him, a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and, outside, shall he in nowise go forth any 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 I will write upon him my new name.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Decision;   God Continued...;   Jesus Continued;   Perseverance;   Philadelphia;   Pillar;   Righteous;   Temple;   War;   Scofield Reference Index - Kingdom;   Thompson Chain Reference - Battle of Life;   Name;   New;   Overcomers;   Pillars, Memorial;   Promises, Divine;   Saints;   The Topic Concordance - Jerusalem;   Name;   Newness;   Victory/overcoming;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Jerusalem;   Pillars;   Titles and Names of Saints;   Warfare of Saints;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Jerusalem;   Pillar;   Temple;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Philadelphia;   Son of man;   Zion;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Building;   Christians, Names of;   God, Name of;   New Command;   New Heavens and a New Earth;   New Jerusalem;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Heaven;   Philadelphia;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Adultery;   High Priest;   Manoah;   Marriage;   Name;   Philadelphia;   Pillars;   Revelation of John, the;   Zacchaeus;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Asia Minor, Cities of;   Keys of the Kingdom;   Letter Form and Function;   Revelation, the Book of;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Asia;   Ethics;   Magi;   Philadelphia;   Pillar;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - God;   New Jerusalem;   Philadelphia ;   Pillar;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs;   Type;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Boaz ;   Pillar;   Temple, the;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - City;   Jerusalem;   Peter;   Sepharvaim;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Philadelphia;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Philadel'phia,;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Mark;   Pillar;   Spot;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Jerusalem;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - New;   Parousia;   Pillar;   Revelation of John:;   Sardis;  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for March 18;  

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Those who win the victory will be pillars in the temple of my God. I will make that happen for them. They will never again have to leave God's temple. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God. That city is the new Jerusalem. It is coming down out of heaven from my God. I will also write my new name on them.
Revised Standard Version
He who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Him that overcometh will I make a pyllar in the temple of my God and he shall goo no more oute. And I will wryt vpo him the name of my God and the name of ye cite of my god newe Ierusale which cometh doune oute of heve fro my God and I will wryte vpon him my newe name.
Hebrew Names Version
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Yerushalayim, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.
New American Standard Bible
'The one who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and 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 My new name.
New Century Version
I will make those who win the victory pillars in the temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, that comes down out of heaven from my God. I will also write on them my new name.
Update Bible Version
He that overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out from there no more: and 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 my own new name.
Webster's Bible Translation
Him that overcometh, will I make 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, [which is] new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and [I will write upon him] my new name.
World English Bible
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there 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 my own new name.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
He that overcometh, 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.
Weymouth's New Testament
"`He who overcomes--I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he shall never go out from it again. And I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which is to come down out of Heaven from My God, and My own new name.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And hym that schal ouercome, Y schal make a pilere in the temple of my God, and he schal no more go out; and Y schal write on hym the name of my God, and the name of the citee of my God, of the newe Jerusalem, that cometh doun fro heuene of my God, and my newe name.
English Revised Version
He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence 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 mine own new name.
Berean Standard Bible
The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name.
Contemporary English Version
Everyone who wins the victory will be made into a pillar in the temple of my God, and they will stay there forever. I will write on each of them the name of my God and the name of his city. It is the new Jerusalem that my God will send down from heaven. I will also write on them my own new name.
Amplified Bible
'He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God; he will most certainly never be put out of it, and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which descends out of heaven from My God, and My [own] new name.
American Standard Version
He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence 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 mine own new name.
Bible in Basic English
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the house of my God, and he will go out no more: and I will put on him the name of my God, and the name of the town of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my new name.
Complete Jewish Bible
I will make him who wins the victory a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he will never leave it. Also I will write on him the name of my God and the name of my God's city, the new Yerushalayim coming down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.
Darby Translation
He that overcomes, him will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more at all out; and I will write upon 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 my new name.
International Standard Version
I will make the one who conquers a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and he will never go out of it again. I will write on him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God), and my own new name.1 Kings 7:21; Galatians 2:9; 4:26; Hebrews 12:22; Revelation 2:17; 14:1; 22:4;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
Him who overcometh I will make a column 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 of Urishlem the new, which descendeth from heaven from my God, and my new name.
Murdock Translation
Him that is victorious, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God; and he shall not again go out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and of the new Jerusalem which descendeth from heaven from my God, and my own new name.
King James Version (1611)
Him that ouercommeth, will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall goe no more out: and I wil write vpon him the Name of my God, and the name of the Citie of my God, which is new Hierusalem, which commeth downe out of heauen from my God: And I will write vpon him my New name.
New Living Translation
All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.
New Life Bible
I will make the one who has power and wins an important part that holds up the house of God. He will never leave it again. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God. It is the new Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem will come down from My God out of heaven. I will write My new name on him.
New Revised Standard
If you conquer, I will make you a pillar in the temple of my God; you will never go out of it. I will write on you the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
English Standard Version
The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Him that ouercommeth, will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shal goe no more out: and I will write vpon him the Name of my God, and the name of the citie of my God, which is the newe Hierusalem, which commeth downe out of heauen from my God, and I will write vpon him my newe Name.
George Lamsa Translation
He who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall not go out again: and I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the new Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Douay-Rheims Bible
He 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.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Hym that ouercometh, wyll I make a pyller in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: And I wyll write vpon him the name of my God, and the name of the citie of my God, newe Hierusalem, which commeth downe out of heauen from my God, and [I wyll write vpon hym] my newe name.
Good News Translation
I will make those who are victorious pillars in the temple of my God, and they will never leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which will come down out of heaven from my God. I will also write on them my new name.
Christian Standard Bible®
“The one who conquers I will make a pillar
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go outside again, and I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God, and my new name.
Literal Translation
The one overcoming, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall not go out any more. And I will write the name of My God on him, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem which comes down out of Heavenfrom My God, and My new name.
Young's Literal Translation
He who is overcoming -- I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and without he may not go any more, and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, that doth come down out of the heaven from my God -- also my new name.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Him that ouer commeth, will I make a pyllar in the temple of my God, and he shal goo no more out.And I will wryte vpon him, the name of my God, and the name of ye cite of my God, newe Ierusalem, which cometh downe out of heauen from my God, and I will wryte vpo him my newe name.
Mace New Testament (1729)
him that overcomes, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more: I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which descends from heaven from my God: even my new name will I write.
THE MESSAGE
"I'll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I'll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God's City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.
New English Translation
The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never depart from it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from my God), and my new name as well.
New King James Version
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.
Simplified Cowboy Version
All who finish their ride, I will make them a pillar in the house of God. Their spot will forever be theirs. I will write on them the name of God, his city, and my new name that no one knows.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and 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 My new name.

Contextual Overview

7 And, unto the messenger of the assembly, 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 one shall shut, and shutteth and no one openeth: 8 I know thy works, - lo! I have set before thee an open door, as to which, no one, can shut it, - that thou hast, a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Lo! I give them of the synagogue of Satan, who are affirming themselves to be, Jews, and are not, - but say what is false, - lo! I will cause them, that they shall have come, and shall bow down before thy feet, and shall get to know that, I, loved thee. 10 Because thou didst keep my word of endurance, I also, will keep thee out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole habitable world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that, no one, take thy crown. 12 He that overcometh, I will make, him, a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and, outside, shall he in nowise go forth any 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 I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what, the Spirit, is saying unto the assemblies.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

overcometh: Revelation 2:7, Revelation 17:14, 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14, 1 John 4:4

pillar: 1 Kings 7:21, Jeremiah 1:18, Galatians 2:9

I will: Revelation 2:17, Revelation 14:1, Revelation 22:4

the city: Revelation 21:2, Revelation 21:10-27, Psalms 48:8, Psalms 87:3, Galatians 4:26, Galatians 4:27, Hebrews 12:22

my new: Revelation 22:4, Isaiah 65:15, Ephesians 3:15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 17:25 - the king Ezra 9:8 - in his holy place Psalms 45:15 - they shall Psalms 61:4 - abide Psalms 65:4 - causest Proverbs 9:1 - pillars Song of Solomon 3:4 - I held Song of Solomon 3:10 - General Isaiah 33:20 - not one Isaiah 43:7 - called Isaiah 56:5 - and a Isaiah 60:14 - The city Ezekiel 40:49 - pillars Ezekiel 41:1 - to the temple Mark 12:16 - image Luke 2:37 - which Luke 6:23 - your John 14:2 - my Galatians 6:9 - if 1 Timothy 4:8 - having 1 Peter 2:5 - also 1 John 5:4 - overcometh Revelation 2:26 - he Revelation 12:11 - they overcame Revelation 13:17 - name Revelation 19:12 - a name Revelation 22:19 - and from

Cross-References

Genesis 2:18
And Yahweh God said, It is, not good, that the man should remain alone, - I will make for him a helper as his counterpart.
Genesis 2:20
So the man gave names to all the tame-beasts, and to the birds of the heavens, and to all the wild-beasts of the field, - but, for man, had there not been found a helper as his counterpart.
Genesis 2:22
And Yahweh God builded the rib which he had taken from the man, into a woman, and brought her in unto the man.
Genesis 3:13
Then said Yahweh God to the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, the serpent, deceived me, so I did eat.
Genesis 3:15
And enmity, will I put between thee, and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed, - He shall crush thy head, but, thou, shalt crush his heel.
Genesis 3:20
So the man called the name of his wife, Eve, - in that, she, was made mother of every one living.
Genesis 3:21
And Yahweh God made for the man - and for his wife - tunics of skin and clothed them.
Genesis 3:24
So he expelled the man, - and caused to dwell - in front of the garden of Eden - cherubim and a brandishing sword - flame, to keep the way to the tree of life.
Job 31:33
If I covered, like Adam, my transgressions, by hiding in my bosom mine iniquity,
Proverbs 19:3
The folly of a man, subverteth his way, and, against Yahweh, his heart is angry.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

He that overcometh,.... In the hour of temptation, in this period of time; that stands his ground then, sustains the shock of the beast, with courage and intrepidity, and overcomes him:

will I make a pillar in the temple of my God; by which is meant not the church triumphant, though such will have a place, and an abiding one there; but the church militant, so called in allusion to the temple at Jerusalem, for its author, matter, situation, strength, solidity, magnificence, and stateliness, and for its holiness; and may be said to be the temple of God, because it is of his building, and is the place where he dwells, and is worshipped; and the temple of Christ's God, as he is man and Mediator, through whom all worship is given to God in it; and those who are overcomers by the grace and strength of Christ are made pillars by him here, in allusion to the two pillars, Jachin and Boaz, in Solomon's temple; that is, they become very ornamental in the church, they are made honourable members of it; they come in at the right door into it, and fill up their places, and all relative duties in it, and walk becoming their profession; and, like pillars, are a support to it, to the interest of the church, the truths of the Gospel, and to weak and poor saints; and, as pillars, they are upright in heart and conversation, and are steady, firm, and constant:

and he shall go no more out; out of the church, the temple of the Lord, but shall abide in it unto death: it is a promise of perseverance both in the grace of God, and in a profession of religion; there shall not be such instances of apostasy as now.

And I will write upon him the name of my God; in allusion to inscriptions of names on pillars; the sense is, that it should be manifest that such are interested in God, as their covenant God and Father, in like manner as he is the God and Father of Christ; and this should be as plain and as evident as an inscription on a pillar, or as if it was written upon their foreheads, as the high priest had on his forehead written, "holiness to the Lord"; and indeed it will be by their holiness that it will so clearly appear that God is their covenant God; for in this church state, or spiritual reign of Christ, holiness unto the Lord shall be upon the bells of the horses:

and the name of the city of my God; [which is] new Jerusalem, in allusion to "Jehovah Shammah"; meaning the Gospel church in the latter day glory; and the sense is, that such shall be manifestly citizens of this city, in this new and glorious state of the church, and shall enjoy all the privileges of it, which at this time especially will be many and great. This will not be the new Jerusalem church state, or the thousand years' reign of Christ in person, for in that there will be no temple, as in this; but it will have the name, and some appearance of it; it will bear some resemblance to it, and be a pledge of it:

which cometh down out of heaven, from my God; as it is before called new Jerusalem, in distinction from the old, so here it is said to come down from heaven, or to be the heavenly Jerusalem, in distinction from the earthly one. The inhabitants of it will be born from above, and be called with an heavenly calling, and their conversation will be in heaven, and all the glory of this church will come from God.

And [I will write upon him] my new name; either the name of "Jehovah" our righteousness; or rather the name of King of kings, and Lord of lords, Revelation 19:16; which Christ will now acquire, or at least this will now be made more manifest upon the destruction of antichrist, in this church state; in which conquest he will make all his people sharers, and they shall now more openly appear to be kings, and to reign with him in his spiritual kingdom.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Him that overcometh - See the notes on Revelation 2:7.

Will make a pillar in the temple of my God - See the introductory remarks to this epistle. The promised reward of faithfulness here is, that he who was victorious would be honored as if he were a pillar or column in the temple of God. Such a pillar or column was partly for ornament, and partly for support; and the idea here is, that in that temple he would contribute to its beauty and the justness of its proportions, and would see the same time be honored as if he were a pillar which was necessary for the support of the temple. It is not uncommon in the New Testament to represent the church as a temple, and Christians as parts of it. See 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2Co 6:16; 1 Peter 2:5.

And he shall go no more out - He shall be permanent as a part of that spiritual temple. The idea of “going out” does not properly belong to a pillar; but the speaker here has in his mind the man, though represented as a column. The description of some parts would be applicable more directly to a pillar; in others more properly to a man. Compare John 6:37; John 10:28-29; 1 John 2:19, for an illustration of the sentiment here. The main truth here is, that if we reach heaven, our happiness will be secure forever. We shall have the most absolute certainty that the welfare of the soul will no more be perilled; that we shall never be in danger of falling into temptation; that no artful foe shall ever have power to alienate our affections from God; that we shall never die. Though we may change our place, and may roam from world to world until we shall have surveyed all the wonders of creation, yet we shall never “go out of the temple of God.” Compare the notes on John 14:2. When we reach the heavenly world our conflicts will be over, our doubts at an end. As soon as we cross the threshold we shall be greeted with the assurance, “he shall go no more out forever.” That is to be our eternal abode, and whatever of joy, or felicity, or glory, that bright world can furnish, is to be ours. Happy moment I when, emerging from a world of danger and of doubt, the soul shall settle down into the calmness and peace of that state where there is the assurance of God himself that that world of bliss is to be its eternal abode!

And I will write upon him the name of my God - Considered as a pillar or column in the temple. The name of God would be conspicuously recorded on it to show that he belonged to God. The allusion is to a public edifice, on the columns of which the names of distinguished and honored persons were recorded; that is, where there is a public testimonial of the respect in which one whose name was thus recorded was held. The honor thus conferred on him “who should overcome” would be as great as if the name of that God whom he served, and whose favor and friendship he enjoyed, were inscribed on him in some conspicuous manner. The meaning is, that he would be known and recognized as belonging to God; the God of the Redeemer himself - indicated by the phrase, “the name of my God.”

And the name of the city of my God - That is, indicating that he belongs to that city, or that the New Jerusalem is the city of his habitation. The idea would seem to be, that in this world, and in. all worlds wherever he goes and wherever he abides, he will be recognized as belonging to that holy city; as enjoying the rights and immunities of such a citizen.

Which is New Jerusalem - Jerusalem was the place where the temple was reared, and where the worship of God was celebrated. It thus came to be synonymous with the church - the dwelling-place of God on earth.

Which cometh down out of heaven from my God - See this explained in the notes on Revelation 21:2 ff. Of course this must be a figurative representation, but the idea is plain. It is:

(1)That the church is, in accordance with settled Scripture language, represented as a city - the abode of God on earth.

(2)That is, instead of being built here, or having an earthly origin, it has its origin in heaven.

It is as if it had been constructed there, and then sent down to earth ready formed. The type, the form, the whole structure is heavenly. It is a departure from all proper laws of interpretation to explain this literally, as if a city should be actually let down from heaven; and equally so to infer from this passage, and the others of similar import in this book, that a city will be literally reared for the residence of the saints. If the passage proves anything on either of these points, it is, that a great and splendid city, such as that described in Revelation 21:0, will literally come down from heavens. But who can believe that? Such an interpretation, however, is by no means necessary. The comparison of the church with a beautiful city, and the fact that it has its origin in heaven, is all that is fairly implied in the passage.

And I will write upon him my new name - See the notes on Revelation 2:17. The reward, therefore, promised here is, that he who, by persevering fidelity, showed that he was a real friend of the Saviour, would be honored with a permanent abode in the holy city of his habitation, In the church redeemed and triumphant he would have a perpetual dwelling; and wherever he should be, there would be given him sure pledges that he belonged to him, and was recognized as a citizen of the heavenly world. To no higher honor could any man aspire; and yet that is an honor to which the most humble and lowly may attain by faith in the Son of God.

The Epistle to the Church at Laodicea

The contents of the epistle to the church at Laodicea Revelation 3:14-22 are as follows:

  1. The usual salutation to the angel of the church, Revelation 3:14,
  2. The reference to the attributes of the speaker - the one here referred to being that he was the “Amen,” “the faithful and true witness,” and “the beginning of the creation of God,” Revelation 3:14.

(3)The claim that he knew all their works, Revelation 3:15.

(4)The characteristic of the church: it was “lukewarm” - neither “cold nor hot,” Revelation 3:15.

(5)The punishment threatened, that he would “spue them out of his mouth,” Revelation 3:16.

(6)A solemn reproof of their self-confidence, of their ignorance of themselves, an of their pride, when they were in fact poor, and blind, and naked; and a solemn counsel to them to apply to him for those things which would make them truly rich - which would cover up the shame of their nakedness, and which would give them clear spiritual vision, Revelation 3:17-18.

(7)A command to repent, in view of the fact that he rebukes and chastens those whom he loves.

(8)An assurance that an opportunity is still offered for repentance, represented by his standing at the door and praying for admittance,Revelation 3:20; Revelation 3:20.

(9)A promise to him that should be victorious - in this case, that he should sit down with him on his throne, Revelation 3:21; and,

(10)The usual call on those who had ears to hear, to attend to what the Spirit said to the churches.

Laodicea was situated in the southern part of Phrygia, near the junction of the small rivers Asopus and Carpus, on a plain washed at its edges by each. It was about 40 miles from Ephesus, and not far from Colosse and Hierapolis. In the time of Strabo it was a large city; but the frequency of earthquakes, to which this district has been always liable, demolished, long since, a large part of the city, and destroyed many of the inhabitants, and the place was abandoned, and now lies in ruins. It is now a deserted place, called by the Turks Eski-hissar, or Old Castle. From its ruins, ‘which are numerous, consisting of the remains of temples, theaters, etc., it seems to have been situated on six or seven hills, taking up a large space of ground. The whole rising ground on which the city stood is one vast tumulus of ruins, abandoned entirely to the owl and the fox. Col. Leake says, “There are few ancient sites more likely than Laodicea to preserve many curious remains of antiquity beneath the surface of the soil; its opulence, and the earthquakes to which it was subject, rendering it probable that valuable works of art were there buried beneath the ruins of the public and private edifices.”

The neighboring village contains some 50 or 60 people, among whom, on a visit of a recent traveler there, there were only two nominal Christians (circa the mid-19th century). “The name of Christianity,” says Emerson (p. 101), “is forgotten, and the only sounds that disturb the silence of its desertion are the tones of the Muezzin, whose voice from the distant village (Eski-hissar) proclaims the ascendency of Muhammed. Laodicea is even more solitary than Ephesus; for the latter has the prospect of the rolling sea or of a whitening sail to enliven its decay; while the former sits in widowed loneliness, its walls are grass-grown, its temples desolate, its very name has perished.” A thunderstorm gathered on the mountains at a distance while this traveler was examining the ruins of Laodicea. He returned to Eski-hissar, and waited until the fury of the storm had abated, but set off on his journey again before it had entirely ceased to blow and to rain. “We preferred,” says he, “hastening on, to a further delay in that melancholy spot, where everything whispered desolation, and where the very wind that swept impetuously through the valley sounded like the fiendish laugh of time exulting over the destruction of man and his proudest monuments.” See Prof. Stuart, vol. ii. pp. 44, 45; Kitto’s Encyclopedia; “Smith’s Journey to the Seven Churches,” 1671; Leake, Arundell, Hartley, MacFarlane, Pococke, etc. The engraving in this vol. will furnish a representation of the ruins of Laodicea.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Revelation 3:12. A pillar in the temple — There is probably all allusion here to the two pillars in the temple of Jerusalem, called Jachin and Boaz, stability and strength. The Church is the temple; CHRIST is the foundation on which it is built; and his ministers are the PILLARS by which, under him, it is adorned and supported. St. Paul has the same allusions, Galatians 2:9.

I will write upon him the name of my God — That is, I will make him a priest unto myself. The priest had written on his forehead ליהוה קודש kodesh laihovah, "Holiness to the Lord."

And the name of the city of my God — As the high priest had on his breastplate the names of the twelve tribes engraved, and these constituted the city or Church of God; Christ here promises that in place of them the twelve apostles, representing the Christian Church, shall be written, which is called the New Jerusalem, and which God has adopted in place of the twelve Jewish tribes.

My new name. — The Saviour of ALL; the light that lightens the GENTILES; the CHRIST; the Anointed One; the only GOVERNOR of his Church; and the Redeemer of ALL mankind.

There is here an intimation that the Christian Church is to endure for ever; and the Christian ministry to last as long as time endures: He shall go no more out for ever.


 
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