Letter to Sardis Rev 3:1-6

Outline of Revelation Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 – 20) Preparation of the Prophet: His Past Vision (1:1 – 20) Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22) Preparation of the People: Their Present Condition (2:1 – 3:22) Church of Loveless Orthodoxy – Message to Ephesus (2:1-7) Church of Loveless Orthodoxy – Message to Ephesus (2:1-7) Church of Martyrdom – Message to Smyrna (2:8-11) Church of Martyrdom – Message to Smyrna (2:8-11) Church of Indiscriminate Tolerance – Message to Pergamum (2:12-17) Church of Indiscriminate Tolerance – Message to Pergamum (2:12-17) Church of Compromise – Message to Thyatira (2:18-29) Church of Compromise – Message to Thyatira (2:18-29) Church of Complacency – Message to Sardis (3:1-6) Church of Complacency – Message to Sardis (3:1-6)

How Can We Summarize the Exhortations thus Far? Keep your first love for God and others. Keep your first love for God and others. Don’t tolerate false teaching. Don’t tolerate false teaching. Be faithful…even if it costs your life. Be faithful…even if it costs your life. Don’t compromise with the world. Don’t compromise with the world. Live in light of Christ’s return. Live in light of Christ’s return.

Seven Churches of Revelation: Sardis

Church of Complacency: To the Church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) Background on the City Background on the City Sardis served as the capital of Lydia and was a wealthy city. Sardis served as the capital of Lydia and was a wealthy city. Originally it was situated on one of a series of hills that formed the transition from the lower elevation of the Hermus plain to the higher elevation of Mount Tmolus. Ready access to the city was available only from a small neck of land in the south. Originally it was situated on one of a series of hills that formed the transition from the lower elevation of the Hermus plain to the higher elevation of Mount Tmolus. Ready access to the city was available only from a small neck of land in the south. Unlike Thyatira, these geographic features made Sardis an almost impregnable fortress. Unlike Thyatira, these geographic features made Sardis an almost impregnable fortress. However, the city was overrun twice in its history. In both cases, the people felt so secure in their stronghold that they failed to guard the steep sides of the plateaus. The invaders scaled these steep walls. It is said that even a child could defend the city from this kind of attack, but the inhabitants of Sardis failed to post a man to watch out for it. However, the city was overrun twice in its history. In both cases, the people felt so secure in their stronghold that they failed to guard the steep sides of the plateaus. The invaders scaled these steep walls. It is said that even a child could defend the city from this kind of attack, but the inhabitants of Sardis failed to post a man to watch out for it. There is evidence (such as inscriptions and a temple that was built after the earthquake of AD 17) that emperor worship existed in the city, but the dominant religion appears to be worship of the forces of nature. There is evidence (such as inscriptions and a temple that was built after the earthquake of AD 17) that emperor worship existed in the city, but the dominant religion appears to be worship of the forces of nature.

Church of Complacency: To the Church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) Background on the Church Background on the Church The church had grown careless and indifferent to spiritual things and had gradually declined over the years. The church had grown careless and indifferent to spiritual things and had gradually declined over the years. It evidently was not troubled by persecutors from outside. It evidently was not troubled by persecutors from outside. There is no mention of pressure from pagan religions like we have had in the other messages, but undoubtedly there was some. There is no mention of pressure from pagan religions like we have had in the other messages, but undoubtedly there was some. Neither is there anything said about Jewish opposition or false apostles within the church, though there is evidence that there was a considerable Jewish presence in the city. Neither is there anything said about Jewish opposition or false apostles within the church, though there is evidence that there was a considerable Jewish presence in the city.

Church of Complacency: To the Church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) Attributes of the Speaker: He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. Attributes of the Speaker: He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. Knowledge of the People Knowledge of the People “I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive and you are dead.” What is the implication? “I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive and you are dead.” What is the implication? The church had made peace with society and become comfortable; notice that there were no enemies, either without or within, like the other churches. The church had made peace with society and become comfortable; notice that there were no enemies, either without or within, like the other churches. State of the Church: Spiritual Slumber State of the Church: Spiritual Slumber Wake up and keep on watching. Wake up and keep on watching. There was still hope by strengthening the things that remained. There was still hope by strengthening the things that remained. To prevent spiritual death, their works needed to be something that proceeded from faith towards God and not merely something that gives them a name before men. To prevent spiritual death, their works needed to be something that proceeded from faith towards God and not merely something that gives them a name before men. Remember – their spiritual heritage, what Christ has done for them. Remember – their spiritual heritage, what Christ has done for them. Keep – giving attention to the things which need to be strengthened. Keep – giving attention to the things which need to be strengthened. Repent – turn away from spiritual slumber. Repent – turn away from spiritual slumber.

Church of Complacency: To the Church at Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) The Lord’s Coming The Lord’s Coming The consequence of their failure to repent would be surprise at Christ’s coming (Matt 24:43-44; 1 Thess 5:2). The consequence of their failure to repent would be surprise at Christ’s coming (Matt 24:43-44; 1 Thess 5:2). Some of the people were actually living up to the reputation of the church, keeping their garments unstained and living for Christ. Some of the people were actually living up to the reputation of the church, keeping their garments unstained and living for Christ. Promise to the Overcomer - Threefold Promise to the Overcomer - Threefold Clothed in white garments Clothed in white garments Name not blotted out of the Book of Life Name not blotted out of the Book of Life Christ will “confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Christ will “confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church. Command to Hear: Christ bids every church to heed what is said to each church.

Next Week: Message to Philadelphia Read Rev 1:1 – 3:13