The Book of Revelation has seven letters written to seven churches in Asia Minor. These seven churches represent the church throughout the church age until Jesus returns. This fifth church is the church of Sardis.

1 – The city of Sardis

Sardis was a city exceedingly fabled for its past wealth and splendour, but it had deteriorated greatly. Its greatness lay in the past. Sardis had, at one time, been considered to be impregnable because of its ideal physical arrangement and topography for defence. It sat on a hill or mountain surrounded by steep cliffs almost impossible to scale with only one narrow way of approach. Yet Sardis had been attacked and conquered twice because of its arrogance manifested in its lack of watchfulness (3:2-3). The city was also famous for its woollen, textile, and jewellery industry

2. The condition of this church (vs. 1-2)

The church had a good name that they lived but they were dead. It was the church of the spiritually dead.

• They had a strong reputation – They were well known in the city. There was no false doctrine or “Jezebels”. You couldn’t see anything wrong on the outside. They had begun to believe their own press clippings.
• They had a stinging reality – They were dead! It looks like they are on fire from the outside. A star is so far away that it could have exploded ten years ago and we would still see the light. The star is shining but the light has long gone out. They had reputation but no reality. They had function without unction. They were living on past glories. They were a spiritual graveyard. There are churches like that today. A church is dead is dead when the Holy Spirit leaves that church. You could have a packed church without the Holy Spirit. A church needs to be a place where people are being saved and baptised. Some Christians think they are alive, but they are dead. See Judges 16:20 – Samson woke up and didn’t notice that the Lord had departed from Him. Have you ever noticed how they dress up a dead person in a coffin? You might not recognise them! You can’t dress up a dead church like you can dress up a dead person. The church at Sardis thought it was alive but it was dead. It was lifeless so it couldn’t love.

3. The counsel to this church (vs. 3)

There are some things that are still alive but they are in the process of dying. They were dead people who needed resurrection. Jesus gives them advice. There needs to be:-

• A remembrance of the past (vs. 3). They used to be on fire. They used to be alive. Memories are a powerful thing. People have photo albums to remember good times. The fire went out somewhere along the way.
• A repentance in the present (vs. 3). They were to remember where they used to be and repent. Jesus wants us to get right with God. We need enthusiasm for God again. No matter what you do you need excitement. You can’t do anything if you are dead. You used to go to church, read your Bible and pray every day. Repent and do what you used to do when you were alive.
• A readiness for the future (vs. 3). You better get ready. Jesus is coming. Do you want Him to find you dead? You have a name for what you used to be. You want Jesus to find you alive and on fire for God. The best days are ahead of you if you let Him use you.

4. The committed in this church (vs. 4-6)

There are a few names that are not dead. It only takes a few to start a revival. God always has His remnant.

• They were a virtuous remnant (vs. 4). They would walk with the Lord in white. To the one who knows Jesus Christ, the brilliance of white will surround him. He will be clothed in white for eternity. Every time a believer is pictured in heaven, he is always clothed in white. The white robes speak of four things:-

1. Festivity. White robes stood for festivity. Those faithful to Christ will be at the marriage supper of the Lamb dressed in the robes of a festival.
2. Victory. White robes also stood for victory. When someone was victorious in battle, he put on a white robe. The faithful who have won victory over sin and Satan in the world will receive their rewards at the bema (See 1 Corinthians 3:12-15), and God will clothe them in white robes.
3. Purity. White is always the colour of purity. The faithful have been purified, cleansed, and made spotless by the blood of Jesus Christ. As a result, their robes are white.
4. Glory. White is also the colour of the brilliance of glory. The faithful will be glorified. In our glorified bodies we will shine as white light.

• They were a victorious remnant (vs. 5). They were walking in victory. They may have had a bunch of dead bodies around them but they were praising God!
• Satisfaction (vs. 28) – They will have the “morning star”. See Rev 22:16. When you get Jesus you get satisfaction. This star shines the brightest in the darkness and heralds the coming dawn. Jesus will help us through the darkness and into eternity.

Categories: Revelation