REVELATION 3: PART 1 • FALSE PROFESSORS: THE CHURCH IN SARDIS

Time: 1517–1798

Sardis—“that which remains”

Revelation 3:1

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.

“Seven Spirits of God”

These are the words of Him Who has the seven Spirits of God [The sevenfold Holy Spirit.] (Revelation 3:1 AMP)

Christ, having the seven Spirits of God, shows He is the all-knowing, all-discerning one. Having the seven Spirits is representative of His perfection. The Holy Spirit is Christ’s representative, who brings conviction and grace, and leads people to the truth of Scripture. The historical period of the Sardis church was made up of the Reformers and the Protestant faiths that were in danger of losing sight of Christ and His Spirit.

Formality was again gaining ground. Many had the name but not corresponding works of faith. Christ holding the seven stars, which “are the angels of the seven churches,” shows that He was to be the leader of His church, not men and human institutions. His word the Bible is to be the guide of His church, not traditions and creeds.

“Thou hast a name that thou livest”

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (Matthew 23:27–28)

I know your reputation as a live and active church, but you are dead. (Revelation 3:1 TLB)

I know what you have done, that you have a reputation for being alive, but that in fact you are dead. (Revelation 3:1 Phillips)

“And art dead”

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1)

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. (Colossians 2:13)

Whereas she who lives in pleasure and self-gratification [giving herself up to luxury and self-indulgence] is dead even while she [still] lives. (1 Timothy 5:6 AMP)

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:20, 26)

Claiming to be a Christian and calling upon God’s name does not constitute saving faith or a living spiritual life, and so it was in Sardis. There was a profession of faith, but not corresponding works. This was the state of the church in John’s day, and it describes the state of the church during the Sardis period of history. The church of Sardis emerged after many centuries of spiritual darkness. The Reformation had begun and born fruit, but after a time it was merely a profession of great light.

Sardis, the church of the Reformation, had come out from the darkness of papal superstitions and practices, but the Protestant churches were not living up to the light they knew, nor were they advancing into greater light. Thus Jesus says, “You are spiritually dead even while you profess to be alive.”

And what about today? Many who are without spiritual life have their names on church records, but their names may not be retained in the Lamb’s book of life. They may be members of a church, but they are not united to the Lord. Many claim to be Christians, but Jesus is not their Lord and friend. They may be diligent in the performance of duties and religious ceremonies, and may be regarded as spiritually alive, but are among those who have “a name that thou livest, and are dead.”

Revelation 3:2

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight. (Revelation 3:2 AMP)

Now wake up! Strengthen what you have before it dies! For I have not found any of your deeds complete in the sight of my God. (Revelation 3:2 Phillips)

There is a principle at work here in the apparent harshness of Jesus’ words. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:48).

God had mercifully allowed the light of His Word to begin to dissipate the darkness of error. With the development of the printing press and the translations of Scripture into the languages of the people, there was opportunity for an increasing knowledge of God’s will. Yet Sardis, to a great extent, according to Jesus’ assessment, did not live up to all of its privileges.

What was true of Sardis in John’s day was also true of the Sardis era of church history. Sadder still, individuals and churches today are ready to die. Christ declares to them, “Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:14–17).

“Be watchful”

Watchful—to be vigilant, give strict attention to, be cautious, active to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one¹

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:6)

Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it.) Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength! (1 Corinthians 16:13 AMP)

The literal city of Sardis twice had the misfortune of being overcome despite its formidable advantage of being situated on a ridge 1,500 feet high on the northern slopes of Mt. Tmolus. Further, it had only one road to its entrance, and the Pactolus river formed a natural moat on two sides. Due to lack of watchfulness on the part of the Sardinians, the army of Cyrus conquered it in 549 B.C. by scaling the heights of the rock. The sleeping guards allowed Cyrus’s army to enter in and open the gates. Thus Sardis fell.

As is common with humanity, Sardis did not learn from its past. A similar attack occurred in 213 B.C., when Antiochus the Great conquered it. Sardis’ experience as a city was the same as that of its church. It illustrates the fate of the Sardis age of the church when a lack of watchfulness and zeal prevented the advance of faith that God had desired and intended. Thus, to the church of Sardis comes the warning that sounds down through the ages: Be watchful!

“Strengthen the things which remain”

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. (Psalm 27:14)

Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us. (Psalm 68:28)

Jesus is addressing not only the church at Sardis in John’s day, but also the Sardis age of the church as well as the church today. “I have given thee truth and light and strength, but you have not utilized it fully. You have not advanced in the truth I have given, but have become formal and proud and almost dead. The truth and My gospel are losing their strength and power. What little remains in your midst, strengthen it. Allow your love for Me to be rekindled. Walk in the truth before you die away, for you have not yet finished your task.”

“I have not found thy works perfect before God”

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. (2 Samuel 22:33)

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. (1 Kings 8:61)

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. (2 Chronicles 16:9)

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18)

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:40, 46)

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)

[Now the God of peace] make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:21)

The church of the Reformation brought to light much needed and neglected truth. But after a time God was supplanted as the strength of the movement by human inventions. Strife for supremacy and influence took the place of hearts made perfect toward the Lord. Hearts and lives that should have been filled with love and obedience became cold and formal. There was much profession but little of doing the will of God. Instead of being renewed by God’s Spirit to advance in understanding and truth, the people “hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward” (Jeremiah 7:24).

God desired then, and He still desires now, to make us perfect to do His will, to perform His works for the salvation of man. But many allowed their souls to become cold, their faith dim, through self-righteousness, self-importance, and pride in the possession of a knowledge of truth, which they failed to practice. The truth, when it is not lived and practiced, loses its life-giving power.

Today the remnants of these Protestant churches are virtually dead in trespasses and sins, having made the Word of God of no effect. Unknowing and uncaring, their spiritual houses have been “left … desolate” (Matthew 23:38). As ancient Sardis, seemingly impregnable on the high places of earth, fell because of neglect and pride, so too Sardis in John’s day and in the days of the Reformation, even many churches down to our own time, are ready to die. Thus Jesus gives a last solemn plea: “Repent.”

Revelation 3:3

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.

Christ says, “Remember the truths you have received and heard, and walk in the old paths.” “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16)

“Hold fast”

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13)

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). (Hebrews 10:23)

Jesus admonishes us to hold fast with earnestness and intensity to the faith, the hope, and the promises that God has given us in His Word. We should never be discouraged by our own weaknesses or by the apostasy and compromise around us. If we fall into discouragement, we can do nothing for the kingdom of God. Satan will seek to discourage us, telling us it is not reasonable to serve God, and that it is better set your affection on the pleasure and enjoyment of this world. Satan will also tell us that there is an easy path to the kingdom. But we are to repent of such folly and hold fast to the faith of Jesus.

“Watch”

Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2 AMP)

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. (Mark 13:34–37)

We are to watch, which means to be spiritually alert and awake against the stealthy approach of the enemy, who would lead us to compromise the truth of God. We are to watch against old habits to sin and our natural inclinations that would lead us away from the pathway of the redeemed. We are to watch our thoughts and our plans, lest they become self-centered. We are to watch unto prayer and good works; in other words, be active and alert and steadfast in our walk of faith. Failure to do this will leave us walking in the darkness and unready for the coming of the Lord.

“I will come on thee as a thief”

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:3–5)

Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. (Matthew 24:42–44)

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:14–15. Christ comes as a thief to those deceived by the spirits of devils.)

To Sardis in John’s day, and in the Sardis era of the church, and even to us, the warning comes that if we “depart from the faith,” we shall unknowingly be “giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.” Then we shall have a “conscience seared” [desensitized] (1 Timothy 4:1–2). The love of God and the Word of God become of little consequence to us while we continue the rounds of a formal dead religion. Living in this state will leave us open to reject the Word of God and His work for us.

Then the hope of His coming becomes to us an idle tale. In this state of religious experience, even the judgments of Jesus, brought in mercy to awaken us, have little effect. Thus, like the thief who surprises us or comes and goes without our notice, we can become so dead to the presence of Christ that we know not His leading and will be unprepared and surprised by what seems to us the suddenness of His coming, all because we have not held fast to the truth and been watchful.

Revelation 3:4

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.

“Which have not defiled their garments”

For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man. (Matthew 15:19–20)

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. (Hebrews 12:15. Bitterness defiles the man who does not look to Jesus.)

The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. (Isaiah 24:5. The people are defiled through breaking the covenant and the law of God.)

They built their idol temples beside mine, with only a wall between, and worshipped their idols. Because they sullied my holy name by such wickedness, I consumed them in my anger. (Ezekiel 43:8 TLB)

Those “few names” are those faithful individuals who, through Christ, have overcome the defilement of sin in the midst of apostasy and a church that was self-satisfied, no longer striving for the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. To those faithful in Sardis, and to the faithful of all time who overcome the defiling sins of the age in which they live, Christ has promised they shall have eternal life with Him as they allow their characters to be made white in the blood of the Lamb.

The undefiled garments represent the undefiled character of the overcomer who, in faith and love for Christ, overcame the compromise, the sin, and the unfaithfulness of the church and world around them. Christ will have a people who will be faithful and true and who shall inherit eternal life. This can be you if you choose the way of the Lord over the way of compromise, calling upon the Lord for strength.

Revelation 3:5

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.

Thus shall he who conquers (is victorious) be clad in white garments, and I will not erase or blot out his name from the Book of Life: I will acknowledge him [as Mine] and I will confess his name openly before My father and before His angels. (Revelation 3:5 AMP)

“He that overcometh”

The promises of Jesus are for us as well as the believers in Sardis and the era of the Sardis church. However by God’s grace we must overcome the following.

• Spiritual slumber and death

• Worldliness and sin

• Formality

• Defilement

• Forgetfulness and neglect of the truth

“I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels”

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8–9)

Only to the overcomer shall the white garment of purity and eternal life be granted. He who overcomes shall be found in the Lamb’s book of life, and for him the “second death hath no power” (Revelation 20:6). Christ’s intercession avails for the one who will confess his sins and seek God’s grace.

He who is washed by the blood of the Lamb and living in His strength, Christ can confess before all of heaven: “This one is Mine, bought by My blood and made worthy by My grace.” For these faithful overcomers Christ declares, “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16).

Revelation 3:6

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.


Endnotes

1.  Greek Lexicon, in The Online Bible CD-Rom, Macintosh Version 2.5.3 (Niagara Falls, NY: Cross Country Software, www.online-bible.com, 1996).