Revelation Chapter 3

VERSE 19 “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.”

“The words translated rebuke and chasten, are in the Greek much more forcible than here appears. The first means reproach, disgrace; put to shame, dishonor. The latter, to train or educate like a child or youth. What a call! No wonder that the proud and conceited teachers of popular churches cannot hear the call. No wonder that some who have seen and heard refuse, to follow “the path their leader trod.”

“As many as I love, I disgrace and train: be zealous, therefore, and repent.” (R505)

“This verse is inserted in what seems on the surface to be an illogical spot. But further thought suggests that it is placed here to counteract what might be a discouragement due to the previous verses. In Verses 15-17 we learn of the depressing state of things in Laodicea. In Verse 18 we learn what we must do —a list which might seem difficult. But here in Verse 19, it is as if the Lord says, “Don’t worry. I will admonish and teach you what you need.”

REPROVE & DISCIPLINE (NAS) or REBUKE & CHASTEN (KJV) are from Greek words which mean ADMONISH AND TEACH. (The teaching MAY, but does not necessarily, involve punitive corrective action.) (Compare also Heb. 12:6, 7.) (Prov. 9:8-10 is also pertinent.) It is helpful to remember Jesus’ own advice to the Harvest Church. (Matt. 24:42; 25:13; Mark. 13:33-37; Luke 21:36) to WATCH. This seems to be the thrust of Verse 19:

WATCH my admonishing and teachings. Those who are in my love will be led by these things in a way to accomplish the needed purchases of Verse 18.

Don’t be discouraged; WATCH and LEARN. BE ZEALOUS & REPENT. The word THEREFORE is here. This loving message is not only to those who are near the Lord but to those who may have strayed into lukewarmness, poverty, and “nakedness.” BECAUSE I will lift you out of your problems, HEAT UP! (Zeal = heat). Repent = change.

The words of 2 Peter 3:9 come to mind. Peter’s words are about OUR DAY.” (The New Albany Class)

As taken from, “The Keys of Revelation”

“The Master’s penetrating gaze could easily and very properly find fault with the propensities of fallen man. Indeed, he could succinctly and with utmost clarity point out the pertinent sins of the most exemplary members of Adam’s race. He could judge not only the world and the worldly Church nominal, but his most ardent followers as well. If, however, pity for humanity prompted him to heartily respond to the Father’s invitation to fulfill a key role in the divine plan of redemption, which provides universal opportunity of salvation for all mankind under the more favorable conditions of the Millennial Age, how much more his sympathy extends to those who now, in this “present evil age,” look to him for the promised liberty and privilege of son-ship…to those who flee to him for refuge from the oppressive tyranny of sin.

Thus, the Master’s words in Verse 19 are of a constructive, not critical, nature; they are designed to restore to spiritual health those who heed the Good Physician’s advice and take the prescribed remedy (As was explained in our study of the First Church, and comments on Rev 2:7 below).

“If there is yet hope for a sin-sick world (the living and the dead) to again gain access to the tree of life (after retributive judgment [the Great White Throne Judgement] and contingent upon everlasting obedience), would there not also be a glimmer of hope for backsliding Christians to regain close fellowship with their Master and Lord (upon stringent terms of self-discipline)?

 To state the matter another way, the lesson is one of a renewal to fellowship with God, of a reinstatement to divine favor, of access to a former relationship, of recovery from a fallen to an upright status. Therefore, by prompt and proper deeds of repentance, these (backsliding) Christians could attain their former spiritual condition of favor and harmony with God and His Savior, and ultimately receive the inheritance of the saints.”

“For he [the Lord] knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust” (Psa. 103:14). “And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Heb. 4:15).

The Lord counsels that he will look favorably upon his followers in proportion to the zeal (heat) and applied energetic steps of repentance (change) they take to restructure their lives in the channel of his instruction and discipline. “For whom the Lord loveth he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives. If ye endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chastens not?” (Heb. 12:6, 7).”

We will take a quick look at how this verse is interpreted by the Southern Wisconsin Class in our next post.