Sardis: The saddest church
Rev. 3;1-6 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
This is one of the most serious messages to the churches. Sardis; The Church that had a name that it was alive, but was dead.
So let’s see what Jesus has to say;
He comes to them as “He who has the 7 spirits of God”. But I thought God was ‘3 in 1’ ? How come 7?
There are several references to God’s 7fold spirit in the Bible.
I believe there is a Divine Principle here that is vitally important:
The link between the 7 spirits of God, the 7 stars and a church that seems alive but is dead:
We need to know what are the 7 spirits of God:
Zech. 3;9 For behold, the stone that I have laid before Joshua: upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ says the LORD of hosts, `And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. (NKJ)
Zech 4;10 For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.” (NKJ)
now see; Rev 5;6 And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (NKJ)
Now turn back to Zech. & His vision of the lampstand. Read ch 4;
There were 7 lamps fed by 7 pipes, fed by 2 olive trees.
In Rev 1;12-13 Christ walked in the midst of 7 golden lampstands;
In Rev. 1;20; The 7 lamps are the 7 churches.
cp to Zech; 7 lamps again: Fed by two olive trees: The whole here is in the context of the restoring of Jerusalem; Foretelling the building of the Church;
Christ is building His Church: It is going to be Glorious. “I will build my church”… “I (Jesus) will build my church – not us!.” cp Zech 2;8 For thus says the LORD of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. (NKJ)
In Rev; Lamps represent Church: there is an obvious link;
Fed by oil; Typical of H.S.
So: Zech 4;6 So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: `Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. (NKJ)
Christ building His Church by his Spirit; No other way.
These who say do this, that or the other to get a big church;
BY MY SPIRIT
Revival comes BY MY SPIRIT
Power to witness comes BY MY SPIRIT
Anointing comes BY MY SPIRIT
Church that hasn’t got the SPIRIT of God may have all sorts of activities (works) but it is dead!
We need to be balanced with The Holy Spirit and the Word of God working together in our lives.
Pentecostal Great Donald Gee used to say: If it’s all “The Word”, you’ll dry up, if all “the spirit”, you’ll blow up, but with both together you grow up!
The Word without the Spirit is like light without sight. There can be no salvation without the truth of the Word of God, but at the same time there can be the Truth without salvation. How many people have recited the creed, and heard the Gospel week after week without receiving salvation?
Benjamin Franklin tells in his autobiography how he heard George Whitfield preach, talked to him about his need of Christ, but was never converted.
Last time we saw Lydia who believed when Paul preached, Acts 16;14 “Whose heart the Lord opened”. As Paul said, “Not all men have faith”.- why? 2 Cor 4;3-4 “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
We sometimes hear people say, “If there is a god…why this etc.” Need to realise there is a god; satan… the god of this world. God so often blamed when it is satan.
But there is another important thing:
The two olive trees that fed the oil:
Zech 4;14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.” (NKJ)
Who are they?
Rev 11;3 “And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth.” (NKJ)
Generally taken to be Moses and Elijah: Who appeared to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration
One represents the Law (Word) The other Prophecy.
All through the Bible, there have been the two side by side:
Eg Moses (Law) and Aaron (Priest)
In Babylonian period, Daniel (Law) and Ezekiel (Priest/Prophet)
In Zechariah, Zerubbabel (Law/ruler) and Joshua (High priest). (Not the Joshua of Moses’ time! See Zech 6;11)
We already mentioned ‘false prophets’ last time. There have always been such. In the last days we are told there will be many and also ‘false Christs’. Matt 24;24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
cp: Isa 8;19 And when they say to you, “Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? 20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (NKJ)
The Church at Sardis was working hard; doing plenty, but none of it was any good. cp: 1 Cor 3;11 – 15
If we are working without the Spirit, it is hard, like moving things without oil:
Dan 7:25 And he shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High; and he shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and half a time. (ASV)
Now the wearing out is by persecution: but satan will get us busy doing things God hasn’t commanded so we are worn out! However, if Spirit of God is in it it’ll be a joy, easy: Matt 11:30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NKJ)
The Church is Gods lampstand to the world: offering light, health, deliverance; The oil must flow: or the light goes out.
Compare Jesus’ parable of The 10 virgins who ran out of oil:
Both sets of bridesmaids were apparently ready for the ceremony, both fell asleep, but the foolish had no oil. So Christians who appear to be ‘real’ but in fact lack the Holy Spirit’s infilling.
Sardis had a name they were alive: but were dead.
Ensure the oil is flowing: Do you need a new anointing?
We can build but lose it all: Sardis was such. They had received the truth but had let it go. They were such as spoken of by Paul in 2 Tim 3;5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
It is easy to get into this state. Churches develop rituals, habits, that mask deadness. Don’t even realise the Spirit of God has gone.
Some who like Ezekiel 13;2 “They.. prophesy out of their own hearts”. There are some who are always looking for ‘a word’. Plenty of so called prophets who will give one. One so called prophet was charging £500 for a ‘personal prophecy”. We are getting into the realms of fortune telling here – beware!
1 John 4;1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
They had known salvation. “Remember how you received and heard”. No doubt there was that first flood of rejoicing in their salvation, but they had grown cold. (compare; Ephesian church Rev 2; 4Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. 5Remember the height from which you have fallen!)
In fact, Jesus said, they were dead. No doubt they still sang all the modern choruses, had a great preacher, they had a name they were ‘alive’. But they were dead – just going through the motions.
But Jesus is merciful; doesn’t cast them off. Exhorts them to wake up! (v2)
and be watchful. Strengthen what remains. There was still a remnant like a fire that is about to go out and can be coaxed back into a blaze.
If they don’t Jesus will come down on them ‘like a ton of bricks’! - like a thief…
“A fact of current history quickened the visitor’s appreciation of the word to “the angel” of that church. “Yonder among the mountains overhanging Sardis there is a robber gang led by the notorious Chakirjali. He rules in the mountains; no government force can take him. Again and again he swoops down like an eagle out of the sky, in one quarter of the region or another. From time immemorial these mountains have been the haunts of robbers; very likely it was so when Revelation was written, `I will come upon thee as a thief.’” (E.J.Banks)
Jesus used this illustration when preaching on His 2nd coming in the gospels. Paul also uses it in 1 Thess. 5;2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. …. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Two inferences here.
1; that Christians need to be continually on the watch for that which will spoil their lives or testimony. The devil is so subtle and temptation comes before we even realise it.
2; we need to be watching for Christ’s Coming. Whether it be in the clouds or by death, for death hits some suddenly (cp Stephen Gately).
Many times in the Gospels Jesus warned about being ready for His coming. Eg Matt.25 parables of 10 virgins and the talents.
v4; Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.
Earliest m/s insert “nevertheless”. (NIV “yet”), and omit ‘even’.
So in spite of their deadness, there was a remnant who were still ‘on fire’.
they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. Reminds us of our starting point in this series;
Eph 5;27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Revelation uses the picture of white garments a lot, to signify those who are ‘worthy’. They are robes of honour and holiness.
The Bible continually refers to life as a journey – of a walk; Jesus said, “I am the way”, but He also said “The truth & the life”, indicating a continual walking with Him in Truth. Truth brings holiness = purity. Only truth is pure. Oswald Chambers said, “God has one destined end for mankind, viz., holiness. His one aim is the production of saints. God is not an eternal blessing machine for men; He did not come to save men out of pity, He came to save men because He had created them to be holy.” “Be ye holy for I am holy” I Pet 1;16.
Let us realise that Religious observance is not holiness. I think this is where the early Pentecostals lost out. In their desire to be ‘holy’ they set up a whole pattern of religious rules and regulations, usually, “Thou shalt not… watch TV., buy on Sunday, dance, go to the cinema, you must wear a suit, etc etc…” (This was brought home to me once in Brazil where the pastor taught all these things. Visiting one family I noticed they had a big TV and asked them what the pastor thought about it. “We hide it when he comes” they replied!) But sadly those who were the most outwardly ‘sanctified’ were often the worst offenders when it came to dealing with unbelievers or even fellow Christians.
Rules, regulations, ceremonies and traditions do not in themselves instil holiness.
Many Christians go to church week after week uttering the same prayers without any expectation that they will be answered.
A.W.Tozer likens them to someone with a hammer and saw and no blueprint. ‘He has not the remotest notion of what he is supposed to build so he settles down to the dull routine of polishing his tools once each Sunday and putting them back in their box.’
In those days we were taught to be ‘separate’ from the world. Today there are those who are “exclusive” to an insane degree in their attempts to appear ‘holy’ (eg brethren, J.Ws). We think of so called ‘religious’; Nuns, Monks etc who remove themselves from daily life to devote themselves to ‘holiness’.
But you don’t become holy like that. In this life there will always be that pull of sin and worldliness that drags us down. So how do we become holy?
If you want to fly you cannot do it by getting rid of the law of gravity. It will always pull you down, but there is a greater law, that of aerodynamics which enables a plane to soar into the clouds. So with us, Paul wrote to Romans 8;2 The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
We can’t make ourselves holy, but as we abide in Christ, His law overcomes the law of sin and death. God knows we are unable to become holy on our own so has provided a way. We become Holy by allowing His Holy Spirit to rule and reign in our lives.
But also it speaks of salvation for: Rev 7;14 These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
These had undergone great persecution. Whether “THE great tribulation” or not isn’t relevant in this instance, but the significance of washing in the blood of the Lamb is clear that it speaks of salvation from sin.
Just as we are unable to be holy on our own, we are unable to save ourselves, which is why Jesus came to pay the price of our sin on the cross. As we wash ourselves in the blood of the Lamb, we become clean and His Spirit in us makes us holy.
What we couldn’t do for ourselves, God did for us, not by coming to earth in the form of a spirit, but as a man, so that he experienced everything that we experience. “tempted in all points like as we are”. (Heb 4;15)
Our final reward is to be with Jesus; See John 17;24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
To the thief on the cross Jesus promised “Today you’ll be with me in Paradise”…
If you love someone you want to be with them. (husband/wife) – Jesus loves us, we love Him, and we want to be with Him.
John 14;2 “I go to prepare a place for you”. Lit; “Because I go”.. The meaning according to Dr D Brown, Aberdeen; “Doubt not that there is for all of you a place in my Father’s house, for I am going on purpose to prepare it”.
Jesus will not send for us, He will come for us! as Judson Cornwall writes. He goes on; “Earth’s joy at forgiveness of sins will be overcome by Heaven’s sinlessness”. The best is yet to come! 1 Cor 2;9-10 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit:
Jesus looks for overcomers yet again;
Rev 3v5 He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.
This is a recurring theme, through the 7 letters, but here we have a further emphasis; the danger of one’s name being ‘blotted out of the book of life’. Remember only those in the book of life allowed into Heaven.. Compare Matthew 10;33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Peter denied Jesus. But found forgiveness. The denial referred to here is that of those who deliberately turn their backs on Jesus. Eg So called Christians (were they really Christians?) who have become Hindu or Muslim and so denied Christ. Yet remember that Jesus came to Sardis and asked them to repent. Forgiveness is paramount with God.
We must never forget that we are in a battle. “Are you a Christian?” is the question that decides life or death in some countries today. And may well come to be the same here. As we saw in a previous study, there are always those who make pretence of being Christians, but those who have experienced His Holiness and sanctifying infilling of the Holy Spirit cannot deny Him. As soon deny life itself!