Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis1 Christ’s Address to the Church in Sardis by Eric Douma Gospel of Grace Fellowship

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis2  Cybele (Earth Mother) – was the local goddess who gave life after death. She guarded the grave and after-life.  Large Jewish community found a sanctuary by accommodating themselves to pagan practices.  The Church at Sardis wasn’t battling against compromise, they were already dead!

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis3 Revelation 3:1-2 To the angel of the church in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 ‘Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.’” Wake up = γίνου γρηγορῶν “become watchful”

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis4 Revelation 3:3a So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing,

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis5 Revelation 3:3b Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. Matt. 24:43 – Jesus’ parousia is like a thief 1 Thess. 5:2 – the day of the Lord comes like a thief Mark 13:32 – 70 th week of Daniel comes like a thief Parousia Day of the Lord

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis6 Revelation 3:4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. John 6:66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore. Revelation 14:4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis7 Revelation 3:5 ‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ To Which Registry Do You Belong? Babylon New Jerusalem worksgrace pagan practicesdoctrines of Christ