Friday, April 15, 2022

Sardis, The Dead Church, Revelation 3:1-6

 


Σάρδεις, εων, αἱ

The Letter to Sardis 

The Dead Church 

Revelation 3:1-6

 

“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 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. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and 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.

6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

 

Sardis was about thirty-five miles southeast of Thyatira and sixty-five miles off the coast. It was once a wealthy city on a hill—well more like at the top of a cliff. Today, it’s called, Sart, an obscure village with about 5,000 people; and extensive ruins.

The history of Sardis, could be featured in Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Once considered the greatest city in the world. They were wealthy in wool and garments and everything they touched seemed to turn to gold. Literally, kind of. 

The gold laden, Pactolus River ran through it. It’s said, wealthy King Croesus, pulled the gold from the river and invented and minted coins, for the first time in history. You may have heard the phrase, “rich as Croesus.” Mythological legend has it that Midas bathed in the river to rid himself of the gift-turned-curse, golden touch, thus the gold within the river.   

They built a fortress on a spur of Mount Tmolus. Steep cliffs on three sides and the golden river on the other. They called their fortress, The Impregnable (that was a bit like calling the, Titanic, The Unsinkable).

They were indeed a city on a hill. They were rich and secure; their lives were soft and easy. They lived the American Dream, before America was ever, a dream.

They were confident, so confident in fact that they couldn’t be sacked, they were asleep at the wheel…or at the guard post. A single soldier, nodded off to sleep, his helmet fell off his head, bounced off the wall, and clanged down the cliff. He sleepily, scaled down the secret passage to retrieve his helmet, and unknowingly revealed the entrance to the enemy. Then, like a thief in the night, about 547 B.C., Cyrus, sacked, the unsackable.

Then, because history repeats itself for those who fail to remember; in 334 B.C. The Impregnable Sardis was sacked again, in the same way, for the same reason, by Alexander the Great.

The city on a hill, the greatest city on earth, was invaded, and overrun, not because of their lack of strength, or ability, or means, but because they failed to heed history, and protect their border.

One other historical marker for Sardis, was around 17A.D. it was devastated by an earthquake. Do you think Jesus, felt the earth shake? He was a teenager at the time, about six or seven hundred miles southeast. The quake came, while they slept, like a thief in the night.

Emperor Tiberius offered the Roman version of FEMA funds, and also refunded five years’ worth of taxes. The city was rebuilt without the residents having to endure any financial hardship.

Once again, money just seemed to flow like the Pactolus River. Like so often does, with those who live on easy street, they became the arrogant, soft and lazy.

Why go to all the effort of climbing the hill? We are the hill. We’re the top of the ladder. By the time Jesus sent this letter, The Impregnable citadel, was just a crumbling, ancient, monument. The town had rebuilt in the valley. A valley, that from God’s perspective, may have looked a lot like a coffin.

To these Jesus begins His letter.

“And to the angel (aggelos, messenger, pastor) of the church in Sardis write,

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars:

To all the other Churches, the descriptor of Jesus, was as if He showed up, with His sleeves rolled up, ready to work. Warrior or Judge, He was perfectly present, with them, ready to get things done.

Walking in their midst in Ephesus, Alive and well in Smyrna, with a sharp two-edged sword in Pergamos, with eyes of fire in Thyatira…but not so, in Sardis, here, it’s different.

He announces Himself as God, reveals His completeness and perfection by back-to-back use of the number seven. He doesn’t relate to them and their circumstance, like He did with the other Churches. How could He? Light has no fellowship with darkness, nor Life with death.

Without hesitation or easing into the conversation with commendations, the Great Physician, announces the terminal diagnosis.

 “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

He pulls up a chair beside the hospice bed, of Sardis, and simply tells the Truth, you are dead.

The archaeologists’ autopsy, has determined cause of death.

The Jewish synagogue, perhaps the largest outside of Jerusalem, was right next to the Roman gymnasium. Which was like a nudist colony and whore house, on steroids. From the synagogue, they had front row seats to see the athletes play, in the open, in the nude. They didn’t have the internet, so this was how they watched porn, back then. And then, inside were the baths, where every kind of sexual immorality was as common as golfers with martinis, at the 19th hole.    

Christian emblems, can be found in the midst of the Sardis agora, (marketplace). Remember, this was where, in honor of some false god, you’d sprinkle a little incense for entrance. You’d admit, out loud, “Cesar is lord” for your permit to market your wares.

Most Churches were being persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, martyred.

But not Sardis, they were alive and well. Somehow, the Church of Sardis, found a way to “do church” without rocking the boat, ruffling feathers. They figured out how to fit in.

There are no signs of struggle, or persecution. No evidence of their Light hurting the eyes of those who dwelt in the dark. No indication of, the salt of the earth, stinging the open sores of sin.

How’d they do it?

Jesus said, they’re dead.

Folks don’t bother with the dead, the dim, the bland, the saltless.

Does the “church” of Sardis, still exist?

Could Jesus say, “You are dead” to some, in America?

No, never, not here. After all, we’re, one nation under God. The greatest nation on earth. We’re the last bastion of hope. A city on a hill. We’re unsinkable, impregnable. Besides, we have Jesus splashed in neon lights. On billboards. We’re on TV, all over the world. We raised millions to save whales and trees, and, the climate. We pursue peace. We marched with BLM. We love everybody. We allow LGBTQRSTUVWXYZ to sing in our choir. We’re tolerant. Big Bubba with the beard, in a dress, and heels, and lipstick and make-up, we let him, or I mean her, or um, yeah, anyway, Bubba reads stories about love to our kids. We’re just like God; pro-choice. Not like those hateful, only one way to heaven, take the Bible and Constitution literal, narrow minded bigots.

Jesus says, you are dead.  

The Warning Signs were there.

Ephesus, lost their first love, Pergamos, compromised, after the persecution of Smyrna. Thyatira complied with corruption, which led to the demise, in Sardis…and the US…and the world.    

 Be watchful, (awake) and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect (complete) before My God. Revelation 3:2.

Although Jesus offers no commendation at the start of the conversation, He also, offers no condemnation as He sits, next to the death bed of Sardis.

Have you ever sat next to the dying?

You don’t give them a list of things they need to do better, or changes they need to make. It’s too late for that.

He didn’t give the thief on the cross a laundry list. He simply read his repentant heart, and said, “this day, you’ll be with Me, in paradise.”

Jesus tells them to be watchful, to wake up, to get your house in order. To strengthen what you can, make amends, tie up loose ends, where possible, before you die. Your works, your deeds, your life, hasn’t been perfect. That word, perfect, means, complete. You have some things undone, not complete.

 Take care of what’s undone, so you can hear, “Well done.”

 My God.

Some translations omit the word, “My” however, most say, My God. Notice Jesus didn’t say, “our God” or “your God” He could’ve just said, “Me” since He is God. Yet, He said, “My God.”

My, in the original text uses the word, ἐγώ, egṓ; only expressed when emphatic. He was making an emphatic point, to make it abundantly clear, your god, is not God.

You’re dead. Your life is incomplete. You have unfinished business. With the little time that remains, you need to make, My God, your God.

Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent... Revelation 3:3.

Remember your First Love. Remember from where you’ve fallen (Revelation 2:5).

When beside the bedside of one about to breath their last. It never fails, we relive the past. Remember when, we did this, you did that. We pull memories from the good old days. We endeavor to finish well.

Jesus does the same. He reminds of the glory days, before the fall, before the thief, before the quake. He does it for a purpose, not just comfort.

I know it’s hard, after all that’s happened, but you must remember, and hold fast to that faith and hope in Me, you once had…and repent.

Hospice is concerned with comfort more than cure. Jesus is concerned with cure more than comfort.

Therefore, if you will not watch, (grégoreó: to be awake) I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

As we’ve seen in all the letters, Jesus doesn’t shy away from hard conversations. The ones that slap our sinful, slothful, souls awake—like a shot of Tabasco.

The Special Forces Ranger needed sleep, wanted sleep, hadn’t slept in three days. But falling asleep wasn’t an option. Falling asleep, meant certain death. So, the cure was a shot of Tabasco sauce, in each eye. Slaps, sleep right out of your head. Makes you feel like your brain’s on fire.

Dear Church, the warning is clear. There is no time for slumber.  

The night is far spent, the day is at hand, let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of Light. (Romans 13:12).

Sardis, understood those words, as a thief. Thrice they were taken by surprise, like a thief in the night. Perhaps, that’s why they gave up, threw in the towel, laid down and died.

They started strong. Time and again, life happened, like it happens to all of us. But they bounced back, they rebuilt the shining city on a hill.

But then, that last time, the time the earth shook; that was too much. That time it wasn’t their fault. They didn’t let down their guard. They weren’t over confident, or asleep at the wheel. But even still, the quake happened.

We were living right, eating well, exercising, taking care of ourselves, and yet, the cancer struck without warning. We were cautious, we followed the rules, yet, the virus, snuck in like a thief. Then, there’s the doctor’s report. The funeral. The drunk driver. The rape. The divorce. The call from the police station. The war. The election. The corruption.

All was peace and safety. Then, the earthquake shook us to the core. We were done. No more. That day, we died.

Or maybe, it didn’t take an earthquake. Perhaps all it took was; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. 1 John 2:16.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.  And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; Genesis 3:6-7

The day you eat thereof, you shall surely die. Genesis 2:17.

Either way, Jesus says: Stay Awake! Remember! Hold Fast! Repent! I AM coming. Soon.  

You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. Revelation 3:4

There’s always a remnant.

Notice He says, a few (not many), names in Sardis. Not a few names with you. Or a few names in the church of Sardis. He says a few names in Sardis. They may not even be in your church, but they’re in His.

Jesus sees and hears, the faithful, few.

The faithful few, may not be the ones behind the microphone, up on stage, the rich, the famous, the gifted and talented, but the lowly, the quiet, the weak, the praying grandmas, the humble gatherings of prayerful, faithful, saints. Those Huddled in bomb shelters, in Ukraine; hiding in underground Churches in china and iran…the faithful few, sitting in a little clubhouse Bible Study, at Whispering Pines Village (1 Corinthians 1:26-28).

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and 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. Revelation 3:5.

Sardis, knew garments, and they knew those in white were the winners, the overcomers, of the games, the elite at the festivals, those who walked cleansed and bathed beside the gold laden river.

White represents the overcomers, cleansed from sin, those who will walk with Jesus, on streets laden with gold.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life…

Census records were kept for the citizens. Those who moved, died or were criminals, were blotted from the book. (Unless it was an election year. Just kidding. Maybe).

Jesus tells us, overcomers, shall have their sins forgiven, and their names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life. That means, those who do not overcome, will have their names blotted out of the book of life.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:11.

Notice it doesn’t say, the name of the overcomer will be written in the Book of Life. It simply says it won’t be blotted out.

I always thought that when a person was born again, the angels rejoiced and their name was written in the Book of Life.

But what about this verse: And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:15.

If the names are written after salvation, then what about kids who are too young to make a decision?

Well, they haven’t reached the age of accountability, so they get a pass. They’re automatically in.

Okay, good. So, when does their name get put in the Book? Because it says, anyone not written in the Book of Life, is thrown into the lake of fire.

And what about those who never heard? The guy in the jungle? Or the person without the mental capacity to make a decision like that?

  Jesus is righteous. It’s not His will that any should perish. So, we know, He will do, exactly what is right and just.

As far as the names. It appears the preponderance of scripture shows that everyone’s name is written in the Book of Life. All who would be conceived, written in the ageless past.

He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love… Ephesians 1:4.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you… Jeremiah 1:5.

Then, if the person rejects the invitation, refuses to answer the non-stop knocking of Jesus, reluctantly, God will blot their name from the Book of Life.  

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Revelation 3:6.

  Lord Jesus, help us, stay awake, remember, hold fast and repent. Find us watching and ready.

CQLJ.

 

Further scripture regarding, blotting.

Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.”

And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. Exodus 32:31-33.


May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous Psalm 69:28

 

For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19.

 


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