Chapter 3 (Part 1)

SARDIS

The city of Sardis was located about thirty miles south-east of Thyatira. It was built upon a high plateau with sharp cliffs on three sides forming a natural defense, with a steep ascend as the only access. The name Sardis means 'to come out'.

Sardis parallels the church period of the Reformation or the awakening from the Dark Ages. Indeed the Church was just a facade of spirituality without any life after over 1000 years of corrupt doctrines and traditions, if the Lord had not breathe a new lease of life into an almost dead Church.

Verse 1

Christ is pictured as having the seven Spirits and the seven stars, implying that the life force of the Church is the Holy Spirit. Just as its birth came by the Spirit, so too the Church's vitality is dependent on the Spirit.

Sardis had works, but it only looked good on the outside without true substance on the inside. There are many churches like this today, whose members go through the motions of religion. They have a form of godliness, but deny or leave no room for the Spirit to work in their own busy lives (2 Timothy 3:5). It is a tragedy that many attend church, perhaps even serve out of duty, but there is no daily living relationship with the Lord. They are in the church because of family, friends or finances (church staff or business connections).

Verses 2-3

Sadly, Christ found nothing in the church of Sardis worth commending. Instead, He warned them to wake up to the reality of their spiritual state and salvage whatever precious little they had left before it's too late.

Can we recall what it's like when we first heard the gospel and received the Spirit's illumination of our sinfulness and need of a Savior? Remember the joy of having our sins forgiven, how we held firmly to every story about Jesus we read and heard, and how we longed to hear His voice in the Word? Does the mention of His Name still excite us or does it bring out a subtle yawn now? Is our love for Jesus still as vibrant, or is it about to die without even our knowing or realization?

There's no denying it. If we're not longing for His return with each passing day, we can be certain that affection of the hearts have changed—and it's definitely not the Lord's!

Verse 4

Christ knew who were the faithful few, and He counted them worthy to walk with Him in white. It's always easier to go with the flow, to settle for the status quo, to take the path of least resistance and conflict, rather than to walk the lonely road of obedience which the Lord walked. But to desire the applause of men is to lose the approval of Christ.

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! For so did their fathers to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26)

The false prophets are the unfaithful ones who distort the Word of God to please others and soothe their conscience, allowing them to carry on their self-seeking ways instead of glorifying and honoring God. The faithful, on the other hand, are the ones who bear the brunt of men's displeasure for speaking and living out the truth.

No pain, no glory; no sacrifice, no reward.

Verse 5-6

Christ extends this same promise to those who overcome—to be clothed in white, which is the righteousness of the saints  (cf. Revelation 19:8). This white fine linen is also the wedding apparel of the Bride of Christ.

Incredibly, Christ says He will not blot out the names of those who overcome out of the book of life. Does it mean it's possible to have our names blotted out if we fail to watch and keep the faith with patience while enduring and waiting for His return? (Matthew 25:1-13) After all, you can't blot out something that is not there in the first place, isn't it?

This is a solemn thought for us to ponder, especially if deep down we know we do not have a real, living relationship with Jesus, a constant abiding and acknowledging His right to rule our lives as we live out the obedience of faith, by producing godly fruits and works that accompany our profession.

Jesus' last phrase confirms His assertations in the gospels:

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32)

Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God. (Luke 12:8)

Let us not be ashamed to confess before men our relationship and devotion to the Lord, lest He too will be ashamed of us in return.