Introduction: In view of what follows in Jesus’ letter to the Leader of the Sardis church I asked Wikipedia if there is a church in Sardis these days. The response, “There is no active, functioning Christian church located within the archaeological site of ancient Sardis near Salihli, Turkey, today. …… no active congregation holds services among the ruins.” Knowing a little of human nature I’m not surprised at their failure to listen to Jesus. Nor am I surprised that God means what He says!
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. – Jesus simply states who He is. We have a majestic detailed description of Him earlier in the letter! “One like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.” I would be very surprised if the introduction of this book of Revelation wasn’t sent to the churches to whom the letters were sent!
“‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. – People can be very much physically alive, in good health and outwardly doing very well, but dead in God’s eyes! 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. – What had they received? The gospel of Jesus with all its power to restore relations with God the Father! If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.
– According to history they didn’t repent! How long before the church disappeared? My reading seems to indicate that the punishment occurred over a few hundred years, but I have read a very interesting comment about the ‘curse’ on Sardis. “The curse of Sardis did not stay behind me. I see it creeping even now, Swallowing good Churches still, leaving the lost and weary in its wake..like a shadow, into our own kindred circles.‘ This was said by a man, alive today, who has deserted his faith because his church refused to listen to the words of Jesus!
4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. 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.’
Comment: Groups of people (including churches) make important decisions, as did the church in Sardis. Decisions which sometimes have devastating results. Nevertheless salvation is a personal matter between each individual and God. He never fails those who trust in Him!
Proverbs 11: 20&21 – Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the LORD,
but those of blameless ways are his delight. Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
Prayer: Help me to take Your Word seriously, O, my God.