“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants - things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John.” Revelation 1:1

Things to remember as we study:  Revelation is a book of signs and symbols. It is the Bible’s “picture book” in that the message is found in the visions.  Revelation was written to help Christians in the First Century who were suffering for their faith.

The City of Sardis 30 miles SE of Thyatira five important roads converged in Sardis, making it one of the great trade centers of Asia Minor first coins were minted in Sardis nothing known about the establishment of the church

The Church Mirrored the City The city enjoyed a strategic location. Gave the citizens an overconfident sense of security. The church does not appear to be burdened with the enforcement of emperor worship. Sardis was notorious for its pleasures and love for luxury.

Letters to the Seven Churches Follow a Pattern 1.Identification 2.Commendation 3.Complaint 4.Counsel 5.Promise

Identification “These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (v. 1). The seven Spirits are the Holy Spirit (1:4). This figure represents the omniscience (all- knowing power) of Christ as well as His control over the churches.

Complaint “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (v. 1). They had a reputation for being a great and living church, but they were really dead.

Complaint “…for I have not found your works perfect before God” (v. 2). perfect - “to complete, to carry through to the end.” They had given up. They needed to finish what they had started.

Counsel “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die” (v. 2). Christians are to watch (Matt. 24:42-44; 1 Pet. 5:8). Now was the time to act! If they were to survive as a church, they had to strengthen their faith and love and come back to life.

Counsel “Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” (v. 3). They needed to get back to doing what they did at the first. The city fell twice because of neglect and overconfidence. So would the church.

Commendation “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments” (v. 4). There was a small remnant of faithful Christians in this church. They had not soiled their lives by involvement in the sinful world around them.

Promise “they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments” (vs. 3-4). White represents both purity and victory. We are pure in the blood of Christ and share in His victory over sin and death.

Promise “I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (v. 5). Our names can be removed from the Book of Life! Jesus will confess us before His Father in Heaven if we will confess Him before men (Matt. 10:32-33).

A church’s reputation may not be its true character (2 Cor. 13:5). A church that abandons its distinction in order to blend in with the religious landscape will die without completing its works. Judgment will be on an individual basis. Christians are to “watch!” Is my name found in the Book of Life?