Issue 1387 – Seven Churches – Part 6 – March 5, 2024
This morning, we continue looking at the Seven Churches of Revelation. Moving along the ancient Roman postal route, we arrive at Sardis (modern-day Sart in Turkiye.)
Sardis was the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia until it fell into the hands of the Assyrians and was eventually absorbed by the Romans. In its early days, it was home to Croesus, the wealthiest man of his time.
The city’s location on trade routes, the fertility of the valley and the abundance of gold made it wealthy. Legend has it that King Midas (whose touch turned everything to gold) washed his hands in the River Pactolus, leaving behind rich deposits.
Some fascinating trivia. Lydia was the first place in the world to mint coins. The image is of the oldest known coin in the world, from Lydia. It’s housed in the British Museum.
The city was noted for being multicultural and decadent. Like many of the other cities in our seven, it was a significant centre of idol worship. Its temple to Artemis was the fourth largest in the world in its time.
The letter to the church in Sardis is sobering. There are no compliments from Jesus.
“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. I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 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. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. 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. 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. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:1-6
Jesus, the head of the church, proclaims the church in Sardis to be DEAD. That’s a stunning statement. The church enjoys a reputation for going along with its pagan neighbours, but Jesus says most of the Christians there have soiled their garments. They have walked in the flesh to such a degree they are robed in dirty rags rather than the holiness of Christ.
A few people are still walking with Christ, and he offers the promise of life to come. He also offers the church in Sardis the opportunity to examine its heart and repent.
There are many churches today that are dead. They have compromised their beliefs to fit into the world. They make no waves and don’t stand for the truth. Many of them have become so fleshly that they are Christian in name only.
It doesn’t happen overnight. The drift and desire to be people pleasers rather than faithful followers come step by step until all true life in Christ has been lost. These “churches” embrace the evils and immorality of the world.
They have compromised so much as to be unrecognizable and irrelevant. Sometimes, it is a single congregation; other times, it can be an entire denomination or affiliation that goes off the rails.
The Lord is patient and forgiving, but there are limits to what He will tolerate.
Let us be vigilant that our own local assemblies do not become so eager to embrace the world that they die.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
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Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)