Ancient Sardis was famously known as the capital city of the ancient Lydian Empire (680-547 BC) and the residence of King Croesus (known for his great wealth) (560-547 BC).[1] It was located in the middle of the Hermus Valley, at the base of Mount Tmouls.[2] After being conquered by the Persians, it was the headquarters of the Persian Satrap and located at the western point of the imperial highway from Susa.[3] Later, it was an administrative seat for the Seleucids.[4] Finally, during the Roman Empire, it was one of the leading cities in the Roman province of Asia.[5] Sardis had a large and significant Jewish population.[6] During the reign of Augustus (27 BC – AD 14), Sardisian Jews successfully appealed to the Emperor in Rome when city administrators of Sardis sought to interfere with the Jews sending their annual Temple tax to Jerusalem.[7] Additionally, Emperor Augustus confirmed that the Jews had the right to assemble and meet according to their religious traditions and practices.[8] The Jewish community was wealthy and influential.[9] The Church of Sardis received the second harshest criticism as compared to the other seven churches of Asia Minor that were mentioned in the Book of Revelation.
John was instructed to write to the local pastor (God’s messenger) in Sardis (Rev. 3:1). Jesus Christ was described as the One “who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (Rev. 3:1). The number 7 is symbolic for completion and sufficiency. The “seven spirits” alluded to the sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit mentioned by Isaiah and uniquely personified by seven super angelic beings (spirits) before God’s throne, who manifested the Spirit’s message to and through the Church. Describing the Messiah, Isaiah taught that the Holy Spirit would rest on Him. The Spirit was described as imparting the following: 1) the spirit of Yahweh, 2) the spirit of wisdom, 3) the spirit of understanding, 4) the spirit of counsel, 5) the spirit of strength, 6) the spirit of knowledge, and 7) the spirit of the fear of Yahweh (Isaiah 11:2). The “seven stars” referred to the seven pastors of the seven churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:20). The Greek word angelos can refer to a supernatural being or simply one of God’s human messengers. Here (in my opinion), it primarily refers to the pastor of each church, but angelic beings may also be assigned to watch over each church. We need to understand that in God’s game plan, the Trinity, elect angels, and elect humans all function in a coordinated overlap and unity in bringing about God’s will on Earth as it is Heaven. For example, there is an overlap between the seven spirits and the seven lamp stands, the seven eyes of Jesus Christ, and the seven angels before the throne (Rev. 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, 5:6, and 8:2). Over and over, the Bible teaches that there is an invisible and layered reality behind the material world. God’s plan, power, and grace is sufficient to accomplish His intended end, and the powers of darkness cannot stop Him. Figuratively, He can fight with one hand tied behind His back and still win.
To the Church of Sardis, Jesus said, “I know your deeds [works], that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:1). The Church of Sardis had a reputation for progressing in the Spiritual Life, but in fact, they were dead (insensitive) to God. They did not have “ears to hear.” Like the vast number of Christians throughout history, they were not advancing in the Spiritual Life. They lacked ears to hear the Spirit. Jesus warned: “be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die” (Rev. 3:2). A believer is strengthened by Bible study. We must grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). We must long for the pure milk of the Word so that we may grow (1 Pet. 2:2). Along the way, our faith and priorities will be tested.
Jesus warned the Church of Sardis, “I have not found your deeds [works] completed in the sight of My God (Rev. 3:2). As Christians living in these bodies of weakness, we cannot be sinless, but we can be blameless in love (Eph. 1:4). We are challenged to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We are also challenged to love our neighbor as ourselves. To love God, we must be obedient and have our ears open to His instruction and guidance. We are easily distracted and beguiled. Unfortunately, other priorities often fill our lives.
Jesus warned, “remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent” (Rev. 3:3). He used the Greek word lambano[10], which means “to take or receive.” This Greek word places an appropriate emphasis on our free will. We must choose to receive God’s gift of salvation, to include the gift of knowledge or information about God. We cannot grow unless we are willing to listen to God and others. There are things that we will never learn unless we have the humility to listen and to receive knowledge from others. Grace and peace are multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 1:2). We must long for the pure milk of the Word (1 Peter 2:2). This is true no matter how smart that we think we are. Our ultimate teacher is God, the Holy Spirit. After hearing the truth, we must keep and guard it. Jesus used the Greek word tereo[11], which means to “guard or keep one’s eye on something.” In our spiritual progress, we must continue to place a high value on spiritual truth, or we will inevitably drift away. Finally, the Church of Sardis was told to “repent”. Jesus used the Greek word, metanoeo[12], which means “to change one’s mind.” The believer must be very conscientious about his or her spiritual walk and advance. It must be the believer’s highest priority. It is no wonder that most will fail to keep their momentum and fail to remain faithful.
The Church of Sardis was told to “wake up” and be alert. If they did not wake up, they were going to be judged and disciplined. God’s judgment was going to come like “a thief” in the night, and at a time they did not expect (Rev. 3:3). The Apostle Peter taught that the Day of the Lord would come like a thief (2 Pet. 3:10). The Day of the Lord is a time when God is exalted and men are humbled. AD 64 to AD 70 was such a time, and the Second Coming of Christ will also be such a unique time when the Lord is exalted and men are humbled. For the believers of Sardis (and all humanity), those who do not repent will inevitably experience God’s judgment in His timing.
However, there were a few believers in Sardis who remained faithful. They had not soiled their white garments (Rev. 3:4). They were going to walk with Christ in their white uniforms, for they were worthy (Rev. 3:4). The white uniforms harkened back to the white uniforms worn by the Old Testament priesthood. By the time of David, there is some evidence that all of the Levites were dressed in white (1 Chron. 15:27). At Revelation 7:9, the great multitude of God’s servants (another vision of the 144,000) were pictured as wearing white uniforms. The white garments were symbolic for purity and devotion to the Lord. The white uniforms were symbolic for believers who “put on” and advanced in the Spiritual Life. The Spiritual Life is not something that we wear at birth. We must “put on” the Spiritual Life, and we must conscientiously keep it white.
Faithful believers were promised that “[t]he one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (Rev. 3:5). As I have argued in other blog posts, the Book of Life records the names of God’s servants (the 144,000, or those who I call the Fraternity of Faithful Believers). If a believer does not remain faithful, his or her name is erased from the Book of Life. This is a powerful literary image. Faithful believers will receive special blessings in this life and the next.
Finally, the Church of Sardis was warned, “The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 3:6). Every believer has literal ears, but not every believer has ears attentive to the Spirit. To remain attentive, we must keep our humility and devotion.
[1] “Sardis.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary, edited by David Noel Freedman, vol. 5, O-Sh, Doubleday, 1992
[2] “Sardis.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Volume Four: Q-Z, Gen. Editor Geoffrey W. Bromiley, et al., William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988
[3] “Sardis.” The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Volume Four: Q-Z
[4] “Sardis.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary
[5] “Sardis.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary
[6] “Sardis.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary
[7] “Sardis.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary
[8] “Sardis.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary
[9] “Sardis.” The Anchor Bible Dictionary
[10] “G2983 – lambanō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 5 Jan, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2983&t=NASB>.
[11] “G5083 – tēreō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 5 Jan, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G5083&t=NASB>.
[12] “G3340 – metanoeō – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (NASB).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 5 Jan, 2021. <https://www.blueletterbible.org//lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3340&t=NASB>.
