1 “To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. Revelation 3:1

SARDIS *Sardis was an important part of the Lydian Empire of Persia. *It was on the main road from Ephesus to the main parts of Asia Minor. Thus, making it an important center for buying and selling *It was built as a lower city and an upper city (1500 meters high on flat cliffs)

SARDIS Under the Rule of Croesus: *It was the first place in the world to master the art of spinning wool. *It was the first place to mint coin in such a way that standardized the amount of gold and silver in each coin.

SARDIS Under the Rule of Croesus: *They discovered the largest deposit of gold yet found in the world under the upper city. *Croesus built a huge army to protect the resources. A gigantic wall was added to the the top of the upper city

SARDIS * In 546 BC, Cyrus attacked and plundered the city with a surprise attack. * In 398 BC, Antiochus the Great performed a surprise attack through the same tunnel. * In 334 BC, Alexander the Great did it again.

SARDIS Religious Rule: * Sardis was dominated by the religious rule of Kybele, Daughter of Zeus and twin of Apollo. * Kybele was also known as Artimus to the Greeks and Diana to the Romans * All Roman archives were held there.

I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.

6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:1-6

APPLICATION THOUGHTS 1)Wake up

APPLICATION THOUGHTS 1)Wake up 2)Your deeds are not finished

APPLICATION THOUGHTS 1)Wake up 2)Your deeds are not finished 3)Hold it fast

APPLICATION THOUGHTS 1)Wake up 2)Your deeds are not finished 3)Hold it fast 4)Repent….simply return to your dream

APPLICATION THOUGHTS 1)Wake up 2)Your deeds are not finished 3)Hold it fast 4)Repent….simply return to your dream 5)Be encouraged by each other

He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 1 Kings 19:14

Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18