WALKING DEAD
Revelation 3.1-2
"you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead."
~ 1. *a name. KSB, KJV, NRSV, Gideons.
"you have the reputation of being alive." GNB, NIV, ESV.
These verses exactly repeated the meaning and the same theme which was indicated in the previous chapter (Spiritual Death: Revelation 2.11, 3.1, 20.6.14, 21.8), indicating that some people, while still being alive in their physical bodies, but by their spirit they may be dead due to lack of Spiritual Qualities and Spiritual Principals of GOD which give to human beings Spiritual Eternal Life. Without these Spiritual Quality the human spirit is Dead.
For this reason, Jesus Christ and called the leader of the church in Sardis as dead, because he lacks the Spiritual Qualities of GOD in his spirit, and his spirit became dead just like of anyone who does not believe in GOD. In order to avoid it and revive him from his spiritual emptiness and void, GOD issued him a warning to wake up and to complete his deeds which he does not finish in the sight of GOD (2).
The end of this verse also is very interesting because Jesus said, "in the sight of My GOD." Jesus numerous times called and referred to His Father as GOD, showing His full submission and obedience to His Father and also show His Father as the much Higher GOD above Himself.
~ 2. My GOD your GOD: (Psalm 45.7) (Micah 5.4) (John 20.17) (1Corinthians 11.3) (2Corinthians 11.31) (Ephesians 1.3) (Hebrews 1.9) (Revelation 1.6, 3.12, 5.10, 20.6, 3.2.12).
I WILL COME LIKE A THIEF
Revelation 3.3.11
"I will come like a thief." These words of Jesus reveal that His Second coming will come suddenly and unexpectedly for everyone on Earth. Jesus Himself does not know the Day then His Father will send Him the Second time to Earth (Matthew 24.36) and for this reason Jesus warned us to be ready for Him at any moment and at any hour of the day.
~ 3. The Day of the Lord: (Isaiah 13.9-10, 34.4) (Ezekiel 32.7-8) (Joel 2.10-11.31, 3.14-15) (Matthew 24.29-44, 25.13) (Mark 13.24-37) (Luke 12.39-40, 21.34-36) (1Thessalonians 5.2-3.6) (Revelation 3.3, 6.12-14, 16.15).
But we actually can approximately predict and to know approximate time then Jesus Christ will come, by reading the prophets and the Book of Revelation, because some prophesied events by prophets will precede the Second coming of Christ.
FEW FAITHFULL MEN
Revelation 3.4
This theme "Worthy of GOD" is very common theme in the Bible and very well explained and understood. The few people about whom GOD talking about here are those who are Worthy of GOD, because they do not defile themselves by abominations of this world.
Where are other similar instances in which GOD spare and kept for Himself certain people who are Worthy of Him, people who are clean in spirit, faithful to the end, and loyal to GOD from their heart. (1Kings 19.18) (Romans 11.4) (Revelation 3.4).
~ 4. Worthy and Unworthy of GOD: (Matthew 10.13.37-38, 22.8) (Luke 7.4-7, 15.17-19.21, 20.35, ) (Acts 5.40-41, 13.25.45-46) (1Corinthians 11.27.29) (Ephesians 4.1) (Philippians 1.27, 2.22) (Colossians 1.10) (1Thessalonians 2.12) (2Thessalonians 1.5 (worthy. NRSV).11) (Hebrews 11.38) (James 1.26) (3John 1.5-6) (Revelation 3.4)
THE BOOK OF LIFE, MY GOD YOUR GOD, AND REWARDS
Revelation 3.5.12.21
The Book of Life (5) also mentioned in these places of the Bible: (Exodus 32.33) (Luke 10.20) (Philippians 4.3) (Revelation 3.5, 13.8, 17.8, 20.15, 21.27). The word "Book" may be understood as figure of speech, but in reality, GOD knows all of His people and also the people who are not His, from the Day of Creation to the Last Day of the world: (Numbers 16.5) (Nahum 1.7) (John 6.65, 10.14) (2Timothy 2.19).
GOD does not need "Book" to remember His holy ones; this word is written for us to understand that all GOD'S people are counted by Him and remain in Him and He is in them.
"Shall be clothed in white garments." (5). In the Bible white garments always express Spiritual cleanness, sanctification, and holiness of those who wear them; GOD, angels, and some humans alike.
"confess his name" (5) means that Jesus will present His holy ones before His Father and his angels as those who are Worthy to be with Them.
In verse 12, "he who overcomes," Jesus said, "I will make him a pillar in the Temple of My GOD." In the Heavenly Temple of GOD: (Ezekiel 47.1-12) (Joel 3.18) (Revelation 11.19, 21.22, 22.1-3).
He who overcomes will be in the Spiritual Heavenly Temple of GOD as a priest to serve his GOD.
~ Kingdom of priests, holy nation: (Exodus 19.6) (Isaiah 61.6, 66.21) (Psalm 39.12, 119.19) (Hebrews 11.13-16) (1Peter 2.5) (Revelation 1.6, 5.10, 20.6).
"in the Temple of My GOD" means that Jesus also has GOD above Him Who is a Higher GOD than He, it is His Father.
~ 12. My GOD your GOD: (Psalm 45.7) (Micah 5.4) (John 20.17) (1Corinthians 11.3) (2Corinthians 11.31) (Ephesians 1.3) (Hebrews 1.9) (Revelation 1.6, 3.2.12, 5.10, 20.6).
"I will write upon him the Name of My GOD." This is also may relate to the marking of the people of GOD, which means that this particular person belong to GOD as GOD'S Personal property and possession.
~ 12. Marking the GOD'S people: (Exodus 12.7.13) (Ezekiel 9.4-6) (John 3.33, 6.27) (Ephesians 1.13, 4.30) (2Corinthians 1.21-22) (2Timothy 2.19) (Revelation 7.2-8, 9.4, 14.1.9-11, 22.3-4).
"and the name of the city of My GOD the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven."
~ 12. Spiritual Heavenly Jerusalem: (Exodus 19.5) (Leviticus 25.23) (1Chronicles 29.15) (Psalm 39.12, 46.4-5, 119.19) (Zechariah 13.1, 14.8-11) (Hebrews 11.13-16, 12.22) (Revelation 3.12, 21.2.10-27, 22.1-5.17).
Verse 21 depicted the last reward, "He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne." Such great honor does not need any explanation, and even earthly king do the same for their most distinguished and loyal subjects. But the most important and essential thing is written in the second part of this verse when Jesus said, "as I also overcome and sat down with My Father on His throne."
Most of the time as it written about Jesus He sat at the right hand of His GOD Father, but never on the throne. This is the first time Jesus mentioned this. Indeed, as the GOD Son of most High GOD the Father, Jesus Christ also sit on the throne of GOD, because as Jesus Himself mentioned number of times, He and His Father Are One GOD, One Holy Spirit, and because of it as One GOD They have one throne on which They Both sit.
~ 21. Sit at My right hand: (Psalm 110.1) (Matthew 22.44, 26.64) (Mark 12.36, 14.62) (Luke 20.42-43, 22.69) (Acts 2.33-35, 5.31, 7.55-56) (Romans 8.34) (1Corinthians 15.24-28) (Ephesians 1.20-21) (Colossians 3.1-2) (Hebrews 1.3-4.13, 12.2) (1Peter 3.22) (Revelation 3.21).