Letters to the Church: Sardis (The Church part 7)

Revelation 3:1-6


Background


Sardis was a fortress city. It was surrounded on 3 sides by
extremely steep cliffs. As a result, it was considered to be so
impenetrable that “to capture the acropolis of Sardis” became a
euphemism for achieving something impossible.


In the 5th century BC Cyrus king of Persia caught Sardis’ army by
surprise and besieged the city. Even after this the people of
Sardis believed they were safe but on the 14th day of this siege
a few Persian troops claimed the cliff where no man was stationed
because the cliff was so steep, and they thought it to be
impenetrable there. But their lack of vigilance to an area they
thought needed no attention was the downfall of Sardis at this
time.


In AD 17 an earthquake ripped apart Sardis and brought sudden
destruction to the city once again.


Just prior to John’s day Sardis was a city of wealth and security
once again but Jesus and John use their history of being
overtaken or sudden destruction to talk about spiritual matters
in the church


Description of Jesus


Seven Spirits


Isaiah 11:1-2, Enoch 61:11, Psalms of Solomon 17:37


It’s about the fruit the Holy Spirit produces. The idea is that
this spiritual fruit is rooted in Jesus and resembles Jesus’
life.


Seven Stars


The big thing about Jesus’ description that is important for
Sardis to notice is that It’s spiritual in nature. Sardis is said
to have an appearance of being alive on the outside but are
actually dead or dying spiritually


Jesus’ Correction


Alive but dead


Sardis had the reputation (a name) to those in the community of
being alive, but Jesus says they are actually dead. They are
playing church


Col 1:9-10- Bearing fruit, growing in the knowledge of God


Strengthen what remains


Jesus tell the church to “wake up”. Which is better translated as
“be watchful”, echoing the story of the defeat of Sardis we
mentioned earlier where they were lax in their protection of the
city.


Sardis is similar to the Pharisees in Matt 23:25


Consequences


If they do not repent Jesus is coming to them like a thief in the
night


Matt 24:36-44


Jesus attributes this coming to being a thief in the night here
as well. The message is that is Sardis doesn’t “strengthen what
remains” and “be watchful” (of their spiritual state) their
lamp-stand will be removed and not be counted as a faithful
witness. They will be overtaken like the acropolis of Sardis was
in the past.


Soiled garments


Jesus mentions that there are some that are faithful in this
church. Not all are spiritually dead. They are the remnant.
Soiled garments is usually a way of talking about impurity by
being stained by sin or the world (Jude 22)


“they walk with me in white, for they are worthy”- This has
echoes of Eden and walking with God in the garden.


Conquerors


Jesus gives 2 rewards to the conquerors- White garments and their
name not erased from the book of life