*This title, some phrases in quotes, and some of the content of my teaching are based on a CD series on the book of Revelation by Chip Ingram – Living on the Edge
In Revelation 2-3 we see Jesus commending and warning His people, and us now, so we will be ready for His return. Like a good teacher or professor He wants us to know what we need to learn so we will do well on the final exam (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:9-11). And since we don't know when we are going to die or when the church (true believers) will be raptured (1 Thess. 4:13-18) we need to live in a constant state of readiness to meet the Lord. Some people confuse the rapture with Christ's second coming. In the rapture we meet Christ "in the air" and there are no signs, (1 Thess. 4:17) so it can happen at any time. So be always watchful and ready. Whereas Christ's second coming is when He comes to earth and it is preceded with many signs (Matt. 24). The church is to keep watch for the rapture (at any time) and Israel is to look for the signs so they will be ready and obedient when the Lord returns to earth. (Matt. 24-25) {"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. (Matt. 24:42-47}
Sardis was a wealthy city atop a very steep mountain (1500 feet) and almost impenetrable by invading armies. But both in 549 B.C. and later in 214 B.C. it was overthrown because the guards fell asleep (a failure to watch) as the enemy scaled the cliffs under the cover of darkness. "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil…" (Eph. 5:14-16) It was also a very pagan city with temple prostitutes and idolatry. It would be like trying to have church in the middle of a casino in Las Vegas.
"You have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up (be watchful)!" Some commentators say that these seven different churches represent seven periods of church history as well as the actual churches there in Asia Minor at that time (A.D.95-96). Some say Sardis represents the Protestant Reformation when the church was dead and brought to life again. But over the years the Protestant church has died in many ways as man-made traditions and ecclesiology has been substituted for the power of the Holy Spirit; "having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." (2 Tim. 3:5) "They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." (Mark 7:7-8) Church-going, nice, moral people may be spiritually dead. True Christianity is Jesus Christ living His life through us by the power of the Holy Spirit (John 15:5). It is supernatural power. Just as physical life is evident by signs such as breath, growth, appetite, new growth, passion, etc., true spiritual life has similar signs of the breath of God (the Holy Spirit), growth in Christ-like character, hunger for His Word, passion for Him and compassion for His people. "These are the words of him (Jesus) who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars." When Jesus left, He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all born-again believers and the Holy Spirit always leads us into the Presence of Jesus so He can live His life through us.
"Strengthen what remains and is about to die…" This exhortation may be addressed to the spiritual leaders who do have "life" and a call to strengthen other true believers there in Sardis. Also the Protestant Reformation recovered much that had been lost from the apostolic church and spiritual leaders were to strengthen others in these truths: Justification by faith alone (versus faith and works), the doctrine of the total depravity of man (Rom. 3:10-17), the infallibility and authority of God's Word (versus church traditions and papal authority), the priesthood of all believers, that all people are individually responsible for their status before God such that talk of mediation through any but Christ alone is unbiblical. Because they saw these teachings as stemming from the Bible, they encouraged publication of the Bible in the common language and universal education. "For I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God." The Protestant Reformation recovered much (but certainly not all) that had been lost from the apostolic church. Even today eschatology and prophecy is flourishing as well as the gifts of the Spirit revived through the Pentecostal and Charismatic expressions of faith both in the Protestant and Catholic Church. (1 Cor. 1:7)
"Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you." Jesus was not referring to His second coming here because here his coming judgment is related to the church's refusal to repent. But He was referring to sudden, unexpected judgment on the church itself (like His Second Coming will be for unbelievers or possibly for believers who are unprepared to meet the Lord per 1 Cor. 3:1-15). Sardis is said to have been the first city in that part of the world that was converted by the preaching of the apostle John. It also may have been the first city that revolted from Christianity, and one of the first that was laid in its ruins, in which it still lies, without any church or ministry.
"Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white." The clothes (or garments) here speak of both Christ's imputed righteousness and acts of righteousness of these true believers as seen in Rev. 19:8: "She was allowed to wear a bright, clean linen garment. (The linen represents the righteous deeds of the holy ones.)" There has always been a remnant of true believers throughout God's redemptive history as there was at this corrupt church at Sardis and as there is in God's church today. "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it." (Matt. 7:13-14)
"I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." {The "Book of Life" contains the names of all living persons; and when a person dies without Christ, the name is blotted out. Believers have their names in the Lamb's Book of Life and can never be blotted out. Warren Wiersbe – With the Word} "Nothing impure will ever enter it (heaven), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life."(Rev. 21:27)
Discussion Questions FOR APPLICATION OF GOD'S WORD
What spoke to you through this message?
Be ready: On a scale of 1-5 are you and your church just going through "the traditions of men" (1) or do you feel you and your church are alive in the Spirit (5)? If you need to wake up, what will you do and when will you do it? Discuss this at your table.
"Strengthen what remains and is about to die…" Justification by faith alone (versus faith and works), the doctrine of the total depravity of man (Rom. 3:10-17), the infallibility and authority of God's Word (versus church traditions and papal authority), the priesthood of all believers, eschatology (the study of religious beliefs concerning all future and final events, as well as the ultimate purpose(s) of the world (i.e., mortal life), of mankind, and the Church), prophecy, and the gifts of the Spirit. How can we help strengthen these truths that are dying out in many churches today?
"Nothing impure will ever enter it (heaven), nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life."(Rev. 21:27) Do you know for sure that your name is written in the Lamb's book of life? "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." (1 John 5:11-13) If you're not sure, sincerely admit that you are a sinner who deserves God's righteous judgment and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior. Profess your faith to all your friends and be baptized as a sign of your salvation and your willingness to obey Jesus.
Scripture memory verse: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil…" Eph. 5:14-16)