The Seven Churches

Sardis is about twenty-seven miles due south of Thyatira. It was one of the oldest and greatest cities of western Asia. In ancient times it was a proud, wealthy city, the capital of the kingdom of Lydia. It had a history of many wars, and it was the city of wealthy Croesus. The patron deity of the city was Cybele, whose form appeared on their coins. She was represented as half-human and was regularly associated with a pair of lions or single lion. The deity was supposed to have power to restore the dead. The city fell before Cyrus the Great of Persia in the 6th century B.C. In A.D. 17 the city suffered greatly from an earthquake. When John wrote this letter, the city was a city of the past. Later, it was restored and continued to flourish until A.D. 1400-1403, when the Tartar Tamerland swept over the area and destroyed everything. The city has never recovered from this desolation.

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As we study this church, we will see that this describes the condition of this apostate church. These members had a name that they once lived, but apparently time and formality took its toll on this church. Most in this congregation had gone far beyond just leaving their first love. It appears that the majority of them are spiritually dead. Note that Jesus said, He appreciated their works, but unlike the other churches, no good works are listed. So apparently the works that He appreciates are those of the few, who stood fast in their faith and did not cross the line into the cults that were so prevalent in this city.

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The name Sardis means 'remnant' or 'those who have escaped'. It was the church of empty profession. This period in the history of the church was that of the Reformation. The moral and spiritual corruption of the church of the middle ages, together with the evangelical preaching of certain godly leaders, brought about needed reform.

This period of time of course, covers the time of the Reformation. During those years, entire countries became Protestant, simply to escape from Rome. Protestantism was the state religion, and was embraced by millions who had no conception of real salvation. Thus, Sardis steeped in liberalism, fell victim to apostasy. And eventually the churches fell into cold, lifeless formalism. This church is so like many churches today, that have watered down the Word, and crept steadily into the world until finally they push God into the corner. They reason that being liberal in their beliefs, and avoiding any scripture that may be offensive to their members, is the acceptable thing to do. They no longer adhere to the Ten Commandments, and would never consider allowing their pastors to preach a fire and brimstone sermon. That would be taboo. They are satisfied with self-help sermons, written prayers, and never once think of asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. Spontaneous prayers of the Spirit are never uttered in these churches. Like Sardis, far too many lay victims of the apostasy of the day.

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The Seven Spirits of God

Paul speaks of the unity of the person of the Spirit; John emphasizes the diversity of His attributes and actions as well as the fullness of His power. In the different creeds of Christendom, it will be remembered, the Holy Spirit was not given His rightful place.

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The Seven Stars

The stars are an allusion to the way Christ was revealed to the Church of Ephesus. The reformation itself was God's work; the resulting ecclesiastical systems were of man. Man is ever prone to error, so the results of the period reveal the presence of error and shortcoming. I know thy works. Sadly, the Lord commends nothing in this church of Sardis. The measure of its privilege and profession was the measure of its responsibility. It was full of empty profession; hence, it was dead. Again, the union of church and state brought about more profession than life.

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Call to Repentance

The call to be watchful and wakeful was directed to the spiritual leaders to carry out their responsibility. They were exhorted to strengthen the things, which remain, because they had the testimony of the Word of God more fully than those who were engulfed in the ecclesiastical formalism of the former period. It may surprise many to learn that not all truth was recovered in the Reformation, but this verse indicates that all was not perfect before (complete in the sight of) God. It was not a complete return to the apostolic church. Areas of doctrine and behavior were left incomplete, truths found in the epistles to the Ephesians and Colossians was not emphasized by the reformers. How much of the truth of the Holy Spirit was there, and of life truth and of prophetic?

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Remember therefore how you have received and heard. Sardis believers are alerted to recall how much of recovered truth they had and to hold fast the good they had received. Also, they needed to repent of the inadequate use they were making of it. If the church did not awake, they were in danger of meeting Christ when they were not ready. Mark you, the does not come to believers as a thief, but to professors only.

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In spite of all appearances, there was a godly remnant in this church, which have not defiled their garments. They are worthy. There were a few faithful individuals in this church, who had not defiled their garments with the compromise of the world, the flesh, and the devil. They lived apart from the world (II Corinthians 6:17). These saints were promised white robes. The fine white linen of Revelation is the righteousness of the saints. These are found on the Bride of Christ and also on the Tribulation saints. These saints mentioned will be arrayed in white robes, and because their profession of faith was real, and not like those who say they are Christians and are not, their names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. Jesus, will confess each name before His Father in Heaven! What a glorious thought! How like Him, we should live! All the gold and silver of this world could never compare, to all the things He has in store for the faithful who will enter Heaven's gates robed in White!

May each of us be certain, that what we possess is the real thing!

Tara Hart © 2006