Sardis –

Interesting point about this city… It was a high fortress with steep cliffs (3 sides 1500’ high) – set up on a peak and presumably secure.

The people were confident in their security.  They kept no watch at their walls.  As a result, they were conquered twice because there was no guard or defense posted.  It was considered a very powerful city in the past (BC).

It didn’t grow with the times, but rested on its ancient prestige.

The people worshipped foreign gods including their patron god Artemis – who was believed to have power to restore the dead to life.

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The Church at Sardis – The most severe denunciation of the 7 churches was made to this church.  Mark 11:14-15, 20-21  The cursed fig tree! Jesus found nothing but leaves!

 

v. 1  Jesus the One who holds or has the seven spirits or seven-fold Spirit of God – and the seven stars – Rev. 2:1 – Ephesus – Jesus holds these in His right hand.  This symbolizes that authority over the churches belongs to Jesus. 
”I know your deeds” – Jesus knows full well the truth and the true condition of our relationship with God.

This church appeared to be alive, when really they are dead.

They are “nothing but leaves” - Christian in name only – They honor God with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him.  Jesus has nothing good to credit to this church.

 

They had so fully compromised the holy life that they are spiritually dead.  (Like the prodigal son – Luke 15:24)

Repentance is their only hope – see Eph. 5:14

 

V 2.  “Wake Up!” – More accurately… “Keep Watch!” remember the ancient city’s peril?  Lack of vigilance – no guard.  Like life – it is dangerous to think we’re secure enough to relax!  (1Cor. 10:12)  There is still opportunity for them.

 

They are not found complete, but lacking in their Christianity.  “Strengthen what remains” – They are commanded by Jesus to do this – or else – judgment.

They made a name for themselves in their society but not in God’s eyes –They just don’t cut it, or measure up.

 

The Lord’s coming.

Matt 24:42 – stay awake – be prepared

1 Thess 5:2 – (He will come) like a thief in the night

2 Peter 3:10 – the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as  a thief

 

The second coming will not be dependant on repentance.

 

Rev. 3:3 – “Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly and turn to me again.  Unless you do, I will come upon you suddenly as unexpected as a thief.”  NLT Judgment because of their lack of repentance awaits them.

 

v. 4 – “They will walk with God”

Enoch – Genesis 5: 22-24   -  “He enjoyed close relationship with God throughout his life.  Then suddenly, he disappeared because God took him.”

John 6:66 

Rev. 7:9-10      -           They were dressed in white robes

Rev. 14:4         -           144,000 follow Jesus

14:5     White – they are blameless

 

Justified:

Ex. 32:32-33    names – book of life – book of salvation

Ps. 69:28          Daniel 12:1

 

 

Revelation 3:1-6 Sardis – additions

 

Interesting – No mention of any persecution in this church – pagan religions-

-         No Jewish accusers, no Nicolaitans, nothing attacking or disrupting.

-         Spoken well of – model of inoffensive Christianity!

-         Peace of well-being? Or Peace of Death? It is DEAD!

-         Only Life-giving Spirit can bring the dead to life again. (Jesus)

-         This dead condition was not visible to outward sight

-         “Strengthen what remains and is about to die” not numerical remnant - Spiritual vitality that is left!

-         Lack of vigilance! Like the original city? Didn’t keep watch!

-         Wake Up! Before it’s too late – repent – always a chance to fix it!

-         “not complete” -  if dead, nothing will be completed.

-         They were mediocre! No enthusiasm to embrace heresy or the depth of conviction to provoke intolerance – bad word these days!

-         It wasn’t worth persecuting – What kind of church do you want?

-         Judgment – “I will come like a thief” like the raiders of old symbolism hits home – Day of the Lord – OT & NT – Jesus return - caught off guard – when they are not watching – least expect it.  Jesus coming in judgment is based on the church’s unwillingness to repent.

-         IF - you do not wake up – the coming of Chris’s judgment is always imminent! Now and Not Yet! – Keep watch!

-         Some remain pure – not all will be martyred! White robe – pure – victory

-         “Conqueror” - needs special assurance – has to overcome trial!

-         Civic register – all ancient cities had this – Book of Life?  Citizen register for heaven – names entered by God – in beginning. Can’t earn your way into the Book – But – can be erased by rejecting.  Conditional pre-destination – God’s will – our choice “God’s decrees are not irreversible, but wait on the acceptance or rejection of man”

-         Acknowledge? Luke 12: 8-9  Acknowledge Me and I will acknowledge you.  Here Jesus acknowledges those who acknowledged Him – only those in the Book receive His reward! Hear the Spirit! Repent – obey – acknowledge!