The Letter to the Church at Sardis.
Sardis
“The sleeping church.”Rev 3:1-6
Background:-
The fifth city of Revelation, Sardis is found some thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. The name ‘Sardis’ means “the impregnable fortress.” The name is also plural in form because there were really two towns. One was built on a plateau fifteen hundred feet up a spur of a mountain and the other was situated on the plain below.
The fifth city of Revelation, Sardis is found some thirty miles southeast of Thyatira. The name ‘Sardis’ means “the impregnable fortress.” The name is also plural in form because there were really two towns. One was built on a plateau fifteen hundred feet up a spur of a mountain and the other was situated on the plain below.
Sardis first appeared in history as the capital of Lydia. During its history in the years before Christ, it changed hands a number of times, being conquered by Cyrus, King of Persia in 549 BC, then by Alexander the Great, in 214 BC by Antiochus the Great, until finally, the Romans took it over. During these times, twice the city was overrun by soldiers climbing the ‘so-called’ impregnable cliffs at night to find the battlements unguarded. So the term ‘wake up’ has a special meaning to the people of Sardis. (The King James Version says ‘be watchful’)
The people were proud, arrogant and over-confident. Almost everyone had plenty, as Sardis was a great commercial centre at the crossing of Roman roads. Gold was found nearby and there was a trade in wool and in the dying of wool that made the city wealthy. Cyrus is reported to have taken away $600,000,000 in treasure when he captured the city.
Sardis was a city of great immorality but not a centre of religion. Ramsay the historian described the city as “the city of death”, “city of softness and luxury”, “of apathy and immorality”, “a contrast of past splendour and present unresting decline.” Notice that in the letters of Revelation only the church at Laodicea is blamed more than the church at Sardis.
The city was noted for its arts and crafts and for its performing arts. It boasted a theatre almost 400 feet in diameter, which was attached to a stadium of almost 1,000 feet in diameter. When in AD 17 an earthquake destroyed the city, it was rebuilt with the help of Emperor Tiberius.
Today Sardis is a deserted wildness of ruins and thorns. Its location made it important in times of war but too far out of the way in times of peace.
Sardis
“The sleeping church.”
Rev 3:1-6
Text Notes:-
Rev 3:1 Description of Jesus.
“He who has the seven spirits and the seven stars”
Following the pattern of the other six Revelation letters here is the link back to Chapter One confirming that this letter also came from Jesus.
“the seven spirits” Rev 1:4
“the seven stars” Rev 1:16
Rev 3:1 Condition of the Church.
“I know your…”
Again we see the all-knowing (omniscience) Jesus who definitely knew the Christians at Sardis better than they knew themselves.
“I know your works (deeds)”
“that you have a name that you are alive but you are dead.”
Sardis was a church living on its past reputation. What was once an alive, active, thriving church had become dead and lifeless. We must be careful here as to the meaning of the word ‘lifeless.’ It could be that the church has become inactive having lost its drive and motivation. It could also be that the church, although it is still active, has slipped so far from the truth that Jesus considers it to be dead.
Taken against the background and context of the church the first meaning of becoming inactive seems more likely.
Rev 3:2-4 Advice to the Church.
“wake up,” The King James says:- “be watchful”
Remember the way Cyrus the Mede was able to gain control of the city? They considered themselves to be so safe up there on their mountain that they neglected to place guards at night. So their city was overrun. Considering their history, ‘Wakeup’ or ‘be watchful’ should have special meaning for anyone from Sardis.
He advises them to be on their watch. The cause of their sinful deadness and declension was that they had let down their watch. Whenever we are off our watch, we lose ground, and therefore must return to our watchfulness against sin, and Satan and whatever is destructive to the life and power of godliness.
Full Matthew Henry Commentary – Online Bible.
“strengthen the things that remain which were about to die.”
There is still hope yet as all is not gone. Jesus’ advice is to strengthen what they have left. By this, He means to start with the little remaining works and deeds which they are still doing and build upon them.
“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard”
Remember the Gospel message that you received. Get back to basics and refocus your Christianity again.
Here is good advice for us too. If we should find we have drifted away from the truth we need to return to the basic teaching of the Gospels. Re-establish our relationship with Christ and if necessary re-take our very first steps in Christ.
Paul would probably say, “Leave the meat and return to the milk of the Word.” 1 Cor 3:2.
“Repent”
Here it is again! Repent! Turn from sin and return to Christ. This is a very important step whenever anyone has slipped in their relationship with Christ.
“a few at Sardis have not soiled their garments.”
But there is still hope for those at Sardis. A few are still faithful and following what they were taught originally. Christ acknowledges these people. They wear white garments and walk with Christ. (See the next verse.)
Rev 3:5 Promise to the Church.
“he who overcomes.”
“clothed in white garments.
Their white garments are a symbol of their purity. Jude 23
“I will not erase his name from the Book of Life.”
Ex 32:31-33; Ps 69:28
When finally a person’s name is removed from the Book of Life it means that they have reached a point where God can no longer recognise them as a Christian. At that point, their name is erased from the list of those who will be saved and they are considered by God to be lost.
See Appendix H – Death, Resurrection and Eternity.
“I will confess his name before My Father.”
What better can we have than for Jesus to mention us to God, His Father. What better hope can we have than to know that on that final day Jesus will be there ready to speak up on our behalf.
Rev 3:6 Conclusion.
“He who has an Ear.”
Christ finishes this letter with that same statement He uses in all the other letters.
See notes on Ephesus.
Sardis--the ancient capital of Lydia, the kingdom of wealthy Croesus, on the river Pactolus. The address to this Church is full of rebuke. It does not seem to have been in vain; for MELITO, bishop of Sardis in the second century was eminent for piety and learning. He visited Palestine to assure himself and his flock as to the Old Testament canon and wrote an epistle on the subject [EUSEBIUS Ecclesiastical History, 4.26]; he also wrote a commentary on the Apocalypse [EUSEBIUS, Ecclesiastical History, 4.26; JEROME, On Illustrious Men, 24].
Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Commentary – Online Bible.
The Letter to the Church at Philadelphia.
Philadelphia
“Saved from the hour of testing.”
Rev 3:7-13
Background:-
Philadelphia was the youngest of the seven cities that we find in Revelation chapters two and three. It was founded by colonists from Pergamum under the reign of Attakus the Second, who ruled in Pergamum from 159 to 138 BC. The name in Greek means “one who loved his brother.” The city was named after Eumenes, the brother of Attakus.
The city was founded as a small but beautiful city with the special purpose of spreading Greek culture and language throughout Lydia and Phrygia. For this purpose, it was situated where the borders of Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia met. It was handed to the Romans along with the surrounding area in 133 BC.
This city was located in a wide, fertile valley that added to its attraction. Several large buildings supported by marble pillars were another striking feature of the town. Unfortunately, Philadelphia was built across a fault line that was subject to frequent and sometimes quite severe earthquakes. The city was forced to rebuild so frequently that its citizens were kept in perpetual financial difficulty.
When Philadelphia, like Sardis, was destroyed during the 17 AD earthquake, Tiberius was as generous as he had been to Sardis. In gratitude, the city changed its name to Percaesarea “The New City of Caesar.” In the time of Vespasian, the city changed its name to Flavia, (Flavius was the Emperor’s family name), but neither of these names injured and Philadelphia was restored.
In later years it became a great city. When the Turks and Islam flooded across Asia Minor and every other city and town had fallen, Philadelphia stood erect. For centuries it was a free Greek Christian city amidst a pagan people. It was the last bastion of Asian Christianity just as Jesus promises in His letter to this church. It was not until midway through the fourteenth century that it finally fell.
Today this city is called Alasekir, a town of about 16,000 people in Western Turkey. Today this town still has a large group of believers (Greek Orthodox) in a Moslem country.
The city is still plagued with earthquakes being near the epicentre of one as recently as 1969.
The area around the modern city of Alasekir.
Not much can be found of the ancient city as it has been covered by the modern one. Even these impressive pillars are said to have come from a church build a few centuries later than John's time.
Philadelphia
“Saved from the hour of testing.”
Rev 3:7-13
Text Notes:-
Rev 3:7 Description of Christ.
The letter to Philadelphia is different to the other six letters in that the opening of this letter has no direct connection back to Revelation Chapter One. We can still establish the author of the letter but to do so we need to go to other parts of the Bible.
“He who is holy, who is true, who has the Key of David.”
Isa 22:22
The Key of David in Isaiah is the key to the house of David. To have the key of David’s house is to exercise supreme dominion there, which is expressed by the acts of opening and shutting at will. In other words, the meaning is to be supreme on King David’s throne.
Luke 1:32-33 “The Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever.
Luke applies the “house of Jacob” to be the true spiritual Israel, the church.
“who opens and no one will shut and who shuts and no one opens.”
Jesus Christ who has the Key of David has the key to the church that wears His name. Only those whom He opens the door to will be able to enter but those whom He shuts the door to will not be able to enter.
Rev 3:8 Commendation of the Church.
“I know your deeds.”
Again we see that special knowledge Jesus has of His church.
“I put before you an open door which no one can shut.”
An open door. This is a direct reference to verse seven where Jesus spoke of His ability to open and shut the door to the church. There is another meaning here. See the reason why the city of Philadelphia was originally established. Perhaps the location means that once again the city will be the base for missionary work in the surrounding areas. Perhaps this is a special opportunity put before the Christians of this city.
“...you have a little power, and have kept My word and not denied My name.”
They were a small church but they used what they had. They kept their faith and followed the Gospel they had been given. They were proud to be called Christians and did not deny the name of Christ.
Rev 3:9-11 Promise to the Church.
“...those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not.”
Who are these of the synagogue of Satan?
Rom 2:28-29; Rom 9:6-7
Romans tells us that a real Jew is one who has given his life to Christ. Those of the synagogue of Satan are Jews who have rejected Christ and His Gospel. By rejecting Christ they have cut themselves off from God and He has given them over to Satan. This sounds very hard when the Jews were God’s chosen people but in many of the Asian cities, it was the Jews who caused most of the trouble for the church. They didn’t just reject Christ but went out of their way to cause suffering and persecution to His followers in the Church.
“make them come to bow at your feet and to know that I have loved you.”
Isa 60:14
There are a couple of possible ideas as to the Jews reaction to the church in this passage from Isaiah. First, it could be that God will make them realise the error of their ways so they come before those of the church on judgement day pleading for their forgiveness. The second idea is that the Jews again realise their mistake but in this case, turn to the church for forgiveness and take on the name of Christ in a similar manner to the way that Paul did.
“I will keep you from the hour of testing.”
Because they have remained faithful to Christ they will be spared from much of the persecution that many other churches are about to suffer. History tells us that when all of the other cities of Asia fell to hordes and were destroyed, Philadelphia was for the most part left untouched. Is this the meaning here or is the meaning more immediately concerned with persecution about to fall upon the churches during the reigns of the Roman Emperors Nero and Domitian.
Rev 3:12 He Who Overcomes.
“I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God.”
The pillar of a temple was an important part of the structure of a building. Often the pillars of a temple were dedicated to famous people with their names carved into the stone.
“Pillars within the church.” Gal 2:9
“I will write upon him.”
Three names are written upon the one who over comes, the pillar of the temple of God. These are names of ownership and they proclaim that person to be one of Christ.
See also Revelation Chapter Seventeen – Kings of the Fourth Beast – Domitian.
Rev 3:13 Conclusion.
“He who has an Ear.”
Although He began differently, Christ finishes this letter with that same statement He uses in all the other letters.
See my notes on Ephesus.
This letter, like the letter to Smyrna, stands out from the other letters in that Christ has praise for the church but does not mention anything against the church.
The Letter to the Church at Laodicea.
Laodicea
“Lukewarm Church”
Rev 3:14-22
Background:-
Laodicea was an important commercial and trading city set in the valley of the river Lycus on the main trade route to the east. This river valley contained three New Testament cities, Colossae, Hierapolis and of course Laodicea.
It was founded by Antiochus of Syria and named after his wife Laodice. Under the dominion of the Romans, Laodicea became a banking and financial centre, known as one of the wealthiest cities in the Roman world. In 61 AD when it was devastated by an earthquake, its citizens were so rich and independent that they refused any help from the Roman Government and rebuilt the city themselves.
Laodicea was also a great clothing-manufacturing city. It was famous for glossy black wool using a die manufactured locally. The city was also a medical centre of some fame. Nearby were some lukewarm springs well-known for their medical properties that made the city a favoured health resort. A medical college attached to this resort was famous for the manufacturing of eye-salve.
These lukewarm springs, while adding to the city’s potential as a tourist and health resort, also caused problems in the form of fresh drinking water. The waters from the springs were lukewarm and clouded with calcareous and other impurities that gave it a bitter taste, totally unsuitable as a water supply. Drinking water had to be sourced some distance away and carried to the city via a great, six-mile long aqueduct. Even this supply was said to have been so warm and impure that it would cause travellers to vomit if they drank it. Hierapolis shared in Laodicea’s water problems while Colossae alone processed a supply of pure cold water.
During John’s time, there was a very large Jewish population in the area that in 62 AD was said to be around 7,500 male Jews. Hierapolis six miles to the north was said to be a congregation of Jews and had an archive office where Jewish legal documents were kept.
Today the Turkish town of Denizli has replaced the three cities. Its population today is around 146,000 and it is still known as a health resort.
Notice that the church at Laodicea has the grim distinction of being the only church out of the seven to which Christ had nothing good to say.
Laodicea
“Lukewarm Church”
Rev 3:14-22
Text Notes:-
Rev 3:14 Description of Christ.
At the beginning of this letter, we again see the connection with Chapter One as a means of identifying Jesus as the author.
“the faithful and true witness.”
Rev 1:5 “the faithful witness.”
“the beginning of the creation of God.”
Rev 1:8 “I am the alpha and the omega.”
Rev 1:17 “I am the first and the last.”
Rev 3:15-17 Condition of the Church.
“I know your works (deeds)”
The same view of an omniscience (all knowing) God.
“...you are neither hot or cold.”
This is an illustration that has a great meaning to the people of Laodicea considering their water supply situation. (See background on this city.) They weren’t hot or cold. Their love for Christ hadn’t grown cold but they had lost their enthusiasm for Him. God saw them as lukewarm, ‘wishy-washy’ Christians.
Notice what Jesus says:-
“I wish that you were cold or hot…because you are lukewarm… I will spit you out of My mouth.”
“....because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’”
Like the city they lived in they were wealthy, self-reliant, independent. They were also arrogant in their wealth. They take pride in their wealth as proof of what fine people they are, but Jesus sees straight through all of this:-
“...you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”
Professors grow proud, as they become carnal and formal. Their state was wretched in itself. They were poor; really poor, when they said and thought they were rich. They could not see their state, nor their way, nor their danger, yet they thought they saw it. They had not the garment of justification, nor sanctification: they were exposed to sin and shame; their rags that would defile them. They were naked, without house or harbour, for they were without God, in whom alone the soul of man can find rest and safety.
Online Bible – Matthew Henry Concise Commentary.
They take pride in their worldly wealth but do not realise they are lacking in the most important wealth, spiritual wealth.
Matt 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon the earth…Lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven.”
Luke 12:16-21 The Parable of the Foolish Rich Man.
“the man who lays up treasures for himself is not rich towards God.”
Rev 3:18 Advice Given to the Church.
“buy from Me gold refined by fire.”
1 Peter 1:7 True Christian wealth, faith.
“white garments”
Jude 23 A symbol of their purity.
“eye salve to anoint your eyes.”
True vision so they can really see those spiritual things are more important than the things of the world.
Rev 3:19 Warning to the Church.
“Those whom I love.”
We must never forget that one of God’s strongest motives is love.
1 John 4:16
“God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
Because of His love for the Christians at Laodicea, Jesus will reproach and discipline them. In return He wants them to turn from their proud ways, be zealous in their faith and repent.
Rev 3:20-21 Promise to the Church.
“Behold I stand at the door and knock.”
Jesus is at the door, knocking and calling to come in. The decision is theirs. Do they open the door so He can come in, dine with them and have fellowship with them or do they leave the door closed and remain outside of fellowship with Christ?
“I will grant him to sit with Me on My throne.”
Rev 20:4 Christ upon His throne.
Just as Christ overcame and was invited to sit with God His Father, Christ now extends the same invitation to us. But the conditions are the same, we must overcome as well.
Rev 3:22 Conclusion.
“He who has an Ear.”
Christ finishes this letter with that same statement He uses in all the other Revelation letters.
See notes on Ephesus.
Other Theories Concerning the Seven Churches.
In my study of Revelation, I have come across a number of theories concerning the seven letters to the Seven Churches of Asia. Some writers consider the letters as not being a part of the original Revelation text as it was written by John. They reason that the letters are not in context with the rest of the book so therefore must be later add-ins.
I can only say that we must be consistent in our belief in the Bible. We must believe it all as being inspired by God or none of it. We can’t start cutting out bits here and there as suits us.
For the second point, of course, the letters are in context with the rest of Revelation. The main theme of Revelation is persecution of the saints and Christ overcoming this persecution. The letters all warn of a persecution about to come upon the churches and that Christ will eventually prevail.
Others claim that the letters were directed at the entire Church, not specific congregations. They say that the conditions mentioned within each letter did not necessarily apply to Church the letter was addressed to. This idea presents the seven letters as short sermons addressing problems which could be faced by any church. The fact that each of these letters was addressed to a particular church and contained content relating to that particular church seems to have been completely over looked. In fact, some put forward the proof that the Church at Thyatira didn’t even exist until the 2nd century.
My problem with this is what relevance does this have to 1st century Christians? As for Thyatira, why shouldn’t there have been a Church there? There were other congregations in all the surrounding cities of Asia. The Revelation Letters were clearly intended for specific churches in specific cities but the very fact that there were seven of them points to the fact they were also intended for the whole church both in the 1st Century and through until today.
Another interesting theory comes from Theodore Epp.
Church History Portrayed.
Each letter to a specific church describes dominant characteristics of a particular period of church history. We have the advantage of looking back over these things today and can readily see how these various periods correspond with what is presented in these letters.
The first letter, that to Ephesus, provides a good picture of the spiritually powerful apostolic church of the first century.
The letter to Smyrna covers the martyr period of the church, the second and third centuries during which various pagan Roman rulers persecuted God’s people.
Pergamos pictures the corruption of Christian testimony through the uniting of the Church and the state under Constantine. This laid the foundation for the strong influence of the church during the fourth and fifth centuries.
The letter to Thyatira deals with the period of the Dark Ages from the sixth century on through the fifteenth. Elements of that darkness still persist today, however, and will continue on to the climax of apostasy in the end times.
The letter to Sardis describes for us the rise and development and finally the corruption of Protestantism. The Reformation which was a powerful movement in its beginning did not maintain its strong spiritual emphasis indefinitely.
Many Bible students are convinced that the letters to the Church in Philadelphia and Laodicea picture church conditions running side by side preceding the Church’s Rapture. Philadelphia illustrates that which is genuine and true to the Lord Jesus Christ. Laodicea illustrates that which is false. Thus, the conditions pictured by Philadelphia and Laodicea can be easily discerned in Christendom today in many denominations and communities and even local churches.
Practical Studies in Revelation Vol 1 pg 69 - Theodore Epp.
This theory by Theodore Epp takes away from the meaning as understood by 1st century Christians. Why must we make things so complex? Christ wrote seven letters to seven Churches, praising them and rebuking them as they required. The letters were of great encouragement to these Churches and full of practical examples and lessons for Christians ever since. We find strong Churches and weak Churches all over the Roman Empire in the 1st century and then we find the same through every age up until today.
This is what we will be doing throughout this study. First, ask how Christians would have understood this in the 1st century. Then secondly, we must remember to remain true to the context of the rest of the Revelation story.
Lessons from the Seven Letters.
The letters to the seven churches are of great importance as examples and lessons for us today.
1) First, we are told that each church will be found in a different spiritual condition.
2) Each church will be facing a different range of daily struggles.
3) We must realise that these struggles are a part of the growing process for each church and for every Christian.
4) We must be aware of false teachers and teachings that lead us away from Christ.
5) We must be aware of becoming complacent in our Christianity.
6) We must be aware of the dangers of becoming too arrogant and proud.
7) Every Christian who overcomes and keeps their faith will be rewarded for their efforts.
8) We know that whatever happens, Christ is with us.
