What does Revelation 3:3 mean?

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:3

Explanation

Revelation 3:3 is a warning issued to the church in Sardis but bears significance for all readers. The verse admonishes the recipients to remember the gospel they received and the teachings they have heard, urging them to hold fast to those truths and to turn away from their complacency and sin (repent). The use of “watch” implies the need for vigilance and preparedness, as failure to do so would result in Christ coming unexpectedly like a thief, surprising those who are unprepared. The deeper meaning here is that spiritual preparedness is crucial and that judgment will come unexpectedly to those who are not vigilant.

Historical Context

The verse comes from the Book of Revelation, which is traditionally attributed to John the Apostle and was written around 95 A.D. It is addressed to the church in Sardis, one of the seven churches in Asia Minor to which the whole book is addressed. This was a period of both Roman oppression and internal complacency within the early Church. The historical Sardis was known for its wealth and had a reputation for being alive and active but was spiritually dead and in need of revival and watchfulness.

Theological Insights

Various theological viewpoints interpret this verse differently. Pre-millennialists see it as a warning of Christ’s Second Coming, encouraging believers to be spiritually awake. Post-millennialists and amillennialists may interpret this more as a general call for spiritual vigilance, suggesting that the way one lives daily in faithfulness to God matters. All, however, agree on the necessity of remembrance, steadfastness, and repentance in spiritual life.

Practical Applications

In daily life, this verse serves as a reminder to maintain spiritual discipline and awareness. Believers are encouraged to keep their faith, remember the core teachings of Christianity, and live in a manner that reflects their beliefs. It also calls for constant reflection and correction (repentance) in one’s life as an essential component to faith which helps avoid spiritual stagnation or surprise by spiritual tests or challenges.

Cross-References

• Matthew 24:42-44 – “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”
• 1 Thessalonians 5:2 – “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.”
• 2 Peter 3:10 – “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

Language Study

In the original Koine Greek, key words in this verse are:

• “Remember” (mnemoneuve): implies more than recall; it suggests ongoing mindfulness.
• “Received” (elabes): denotes accepting a transmission of tradition or teaching.
• “Heard” (ēkousas): refers to auditory learning but also carries the connotation of obedience.
• “Hold fast” (tēreō): suggests guarding or keeping securely.
• “Repent” (metanoēson): implies a change of mind that results in a change of action.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The theme of staying alert for divine visitation is not unique to Christianity. In some ancient myths, gods visit humans unexpectedly to test their hospitality or virtue. In other religious traditions, such as Buddhism, watchfulness is also a spiritual discipline, where followers are encouraged to remain mindful of their thoughts and actions to avoid spiritual ignorance and suffering.

Scientific Perspectives

Discussions on watchfulness and preparation have relevance in scientific fields such as psychology. Psychological studies on readiness and proactive behavior suggest that people who are more vigilant and prepared tend to cope better with unexpected events. However, Revelation’s theological context of spiritual watchfulness and its consequences have less direct overlap with empirical scientific understandings and are generally viewed through metaphorical or phenomenological lenses in science.

commentaries

Scholars and theologians offer diverse insights on this text:

• Craig S. Keener in his “NIV Application Commentary” highlights the cultural reputation of Sardis as a once-vigilant city that had become complacent, drawing parallels to the spiritual complacency warned against in Revelation 3:3.
• Robert H. Mounce in “The Book of Revelation” focuses on the need for the church to wake up from its state of complacency lest it be caught unaware by Christ’s return.
• G.K. Beale in “The Book of Revelation: A Commentary on the Greek Text” sees the admonition to remember as a call to repent and return to the covenant faithfulness expected by Christ. He notes the irony of Sardis’s past physical impregnability and current spiritual vulnerability.