He instructs and informs the angels of the three remaining congregations, declaring again the reward of the person who overcomes.

3 And write to the messenger of the congregation of Sardis: This says he who has the Spirit of God and the seven stars: I know your works. You have a name that you live, and you are dead. ² Be awake, and strengthen the things that remain, which are ready to die. For I have not found your works perfect before God. ³ Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If you will not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

⁴ You have a few names in Sardis that have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ He who overcomes will be clothed in white array, and I will not put his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. ⁶ Let him who has ears hear what the Spirit says to the congregations.

⁷ And write to the tidings-bringer of the congregation of Philadelphia: This says he that is holy and true, who has the key of David – who opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens. ⁸ I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it. For you have a little strength, and have kept my sayings, and have not denied my name. ⁹ Behold, I make those of the congregation of Satan – who call themselves Jews, and are not, but do lie – behold, I will make them to come and bow before your feet, and to know that I love you.

¹⁰ Because you have kept the words of my patience, therefore I will keep you from the hour of adversity that will come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. ¹¹ Behold, I come shortly. Hold that which you have, so that no one may take away your crown. ¹² Him who overcomes, I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out no more. And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God. And I will write upon him my new name. ¹³ Let him who has ears hear what the Spirit says to the congregations.

¹⁴ And to the messenger of the congregation that is in Laodicea write: This says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵ I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are between both and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth – ¹⁷ because you say you are rich and increased with goods, and have need of nothing, and know not how you are wretched and miserable, poor, blind, and naked. ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire so that you may be rich, and white raiment so that you may be clothed, so that your shameful nakedness does not appear.  And anoint your eyes with eye-salve, so that you may see.

¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Be fervent therefore, and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. ²¹ To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me in my seat, even as I overcame and have sat with my Father in his seat. ²² Let him who has ears hear what the Spirit says to the congregations.