"Moreover,
brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you,
which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye
are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye
have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that
which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according
to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day
according
to the scriptures:" (1
Cor 15:1-4)
Sage Advice given to you by His WORDS: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11)
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Revelation is the only book in the bible that offers a blessing to those who read and understand its pages.
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” (Rev 1:3)
Revelation is the ancient Greek word apokalupsis (apocalypse). The word simply means “a revealing, an unveiling.”. It is important to note that Revelation is singular and is NOT the Revelation of John but rather the unveiling of Jesus Christ.
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The Biblical and Location History of Sardis
Sardis was one of the great cities of primitive history: in the Greek view it was long the greatest of all cities. At the beginning of record it stands forth prominently as the capital of a powerful empire. Its situation marks it out as a ruling city, according to the methods of early warfare and early kings; it was however more like a robber’s stronghold than an abode of civilized men; and in a peaceful and civilized age its position was found inconvenient. In the Roman period it was almost like a city of the past, a relic of the period of barbaric warfare, which lived rather on its ancient prestige than on its suitability to present conditions. 6.
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Revelation, the Series: Chapters 3: 1 - 6
“ And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
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The Seven parts of the Sardis Letter
The Remnant
1. Name: “ And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write ” Each Church has its own angel. This could be the Pastor or an Angel. Sardis – meaning “ sardius or sardonyx” a brilliant red agate much like our carnelian, 1.
2. Title:"These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars;”
The Seven Spirits of God:
"And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;" (Isa 11:2)
Spoken of Jesus through John :
"John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;" (Rev 1:4)
The Seven Stars:
"........The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches:......." (Rev 1:20) (Strong's G32) a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God. A Pastor also fulfills as a messenger from God to the Church.
3. Commendations about the condition of the Church: "I know thy works,.".Jesus know all about us, even to the point of where we live. ..” Notice, there are no Commendations for this church!
4. Concerns:
"that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead..." Jesus is telling the Church that they look good on the outside but are spiritually dead!
“Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die:.."They are told they still have a little life left but they need to fix what is broken and to be watchful of those that would change things within.
"..for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” The word perfect is found in the KJV Strong's G4137 3. “plēroō” 90 times. It’s meaning varies with the word “Complete” also being used in this case. Notice that Jesus does not question their doctrine nor does he accuse them of idolatry. 4.
5.
Recommendation/warnings:(if
any)
“ Remember
therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and
repent.."
What they have received from the Apostles’ teachings, what they have heard (the Gospel of Jesus Christ), hold fast (persevere) and repent (change the direction of their sinful ways).
"..If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Here Jesus is referring to ‘Matthew 24:43 ’. In the ‘Concerns’ above Jesus told them to ‘be watchful’. This phrase being two fold, for we have for the second time in these letters, a reference to the ‘Second Coming’ of Jesus Christ.
“ Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” Yes, even in this church, there are those the have held tight to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and their faith. Their reward for their ‘perseverance’ is redemption to Heaven.
6. To the Overcomer: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Out of all seven churches, Jesus tells us there will be overcomers who will also be admitted to heaven, Sardis is no different.
7. Declaration/Command: “ He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Jesus is speaking to YOU directly from 95AD. Everybody has an ‘EAR’, thus Jesus is telling you to "Hear what the Spirit Saith".
Pay attention to what is said in these letters for they are all part of each church today.
NOTE: The Seven Letters although being local during the time of Jesus and John, are Prophetic through 1900 years. They with remarkable precision give us the unfolding of all subsequent church history. “If these letters were in any other order, this would not be true!” 5. Sardis represent the period of time known as the Restoration Movement. Its time period in the late 17th to the middle 19th centuries.
End Summary
*The next post will be about the Church of Philadelphia, Rev 3: 7-13. I urge you to read all of chapters 2 and 3 and then try to outline each church. There are some surprises in store for you there.
“to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Rev 1:6)
The Authorized King James Edition (1611, 1769) was used exclusively as other versions are somewhat different depending upon the year of their printing.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” (2Ti 3:16)
(Note:
we have placed all
scripture in RED for your convenience)
God
is considered the author of all 66 books through 40 writers
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Writer’s Comments
Because
none of us know when our eternity will begin
and our time on this earth is at an
end; it is paramount that you know exactly where
you are in your walk with Jesus Christ.
Since your justification/salvation
is not determined by the church you
attend, the amount of good work you do,
your status in society,
etc.; I
urge you to make sure of your personal
relationship with Jesus Christ in
the privacy of your own mind, your own time.
Don’t put it off, Time is Short and there are no second chances after death!
We welcome your comments, suggestions and questions.
Please -- keep them precise and clean!
References:
1. Revelation 4:3; 21:20; Exodus 28:17; 39:10; Ezekiel 28:13
2. Isaiah 11:2
3. Blue Letter Bible concordance, for word “Perfect”
4. The seven Letters to the Seven Churches, by Chuck Missler, ..pp.65-67
5. A timely Challenge, Koinonia House
6. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia, William Mitchell Ramsey, pp. 253-262
Sources:
1. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2. Blue Letter Bible
3. The King James Edition
4. Koinonia Haouse
5. The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia, William Mitchell Ramsey
6. Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History
