V.1-6 Sardis can be a picture of Protestantism. She escaped from Rome, but soon sank into worldliness and politics.
V.1 “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” It was a name that should have had life, but here we see spiritual death. We need to think this over carefully. Are we just shrugging our shoulders, and going on carelessly? There is not one good word said of this group.
V.7-13 Philadelphia. This is a beautiful description of a happy condition. Christ Himself is in the midst. Notice the encouraging things said to those who lived for the Lord. This letter does not describe any particular time, but rather presents to us those who stand for the truth of God. It is faithfulness to the Lord Himself which can exist in any period of this “day of grace” (see chart “B” to “C”).
V.14-22 Laodicea. Not definite evil in doctrine that is condemned here, but of being taken up with money and things. Profit and pleasure are the two great attractions Satan sets before people. They did not know that they really were wretched, poor, blind and naked. These are not true believers, but professors only mixed in among true believers.
V.19-22 The true believers. But even with them, Christ is outside, and has to be knocking on the heart’s door to be invited in! He does not do this to an unbeliever. The unbeliever first needs a new heart. Laodicea is a description of our western world just before the Lord comes for us.