A few notes.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember, therefore, how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but 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
Each message to the seven churches ends with these words: “let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Each church has personalized council from Christ Himself. But also, every person who “has an ear” has the same direction. No one is excluded. However, there is something in the message that many fail to understand. It is this: the message is primarily to His church! Those who profess His leadership.
God’s desire for the body of Christ to prosper spiritually is found in each letter. If each member heeded the words, the church would go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit to be co-workers with the Godhead.
Today, I was studying the challenges of the Sardis church with an “ear to hear” what that ancient city of Sardis has in common with me personally. Here are a few of my notes:
The City and the Church
There are five application levels when reading to understand Christ’s messages to the church. First, it was a literal message to an early historical church. In this case, it is to the church in Sardis. It was for them.
But there is a second level. It is a message to all churches throughout history in similar situations.
The third level is a customized message to local churches with similar challenges.
The fourth level is highly applicable to the different stages of church history. The message describes the church’s struggles from the book of Acts to our day in the 21st century. To understand this part, a study of church history is necessary.
But, lastly and most importantly, it is the message to the individual who makes up the church. The person who “has an ear.” The council is very personal and understandable to anyone brought under the conviction of the message.
The message to the historical church at Sardis is highly appropriate when considering its location and condition:
” Sardis was built on a hill so steep that it was considered a natural citadel, and its defenses seemed secure. The location of the city made the citizens overconfident; as a result, the city walls were carelessly guarded. The city was captured twice by surprise, first by Cyrus the Persian (549 B.C.) and later by Antiochus (218 B.C.) On both occasions, enemy troops climbed the precipice by night and found that the Sardians had set no guard. The city was captured and destroyed because of the overconfidence of the citizens and the failure of the guards to watch. It seemed that this carelessness had crept into the church, hence the warning: “Keep watching.” Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic p. 138
So, the highest application level for this church and today’s church is to “keep watching.” Watching for what? This is undoubtedly a spiritual application of being aware of our surroundings and attack threats. Can you see the attacks on the churches today? Can you see the attacks on you personally?
For the churches and individuals of our day, we are directed to watch and be prepared for the second return of Christ. If not, He will come unexpectedly, and therefore, the person is unprepared.
Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
Revelation 3:3
Jesus warned in His sermon on the mount:
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore, you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Matthew 24:43-44
Notice the admonition to “watch” and “be ready.” The follower of Christ must be watchful and understanding of their surroundings but must go further and prepare their hearts, so they know they are ready.
Paul compares the return of Christ with a thief who comes at night. The key concept here is the surprise element.
“For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.”
1 Thessalonians 5:2
A couple of verses later, Paul clarifies that the followers of Christ are not in darkness (uninformed), and they are not overtaken by the experience of an unexpected visit of a thief.
But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:4
Sadly, many churches today try to compare the thief’s experience with quietness to support the secret rapture theory. But, Peter leaves no doubt that the second coming and the church rising to meet the Lord in the air is loud and destructive:
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise (loud), and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up (destructive).
2 Peter 3:10
So, when He comes, there are no second chances. Therefore, the individual must watch and be prepared. This is the primary message to the church at Sardis and all those lazy in their experience with Christ.
This leads to Christ’s counsel to “repent.” If not, then those who think they are of the body of Christ and written in the book of life will be surprised, as are those who do not know Christ and therefore lost.
Book of Life
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but 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: 5-6
Whether the book of life is a literal book or not, it has life-and-death significance to those professing Christ. The once-saved, always-saved doctrine doesn’t line up with the message here. The follower can have their name blotted out of the book of life. Therefore, overcoming is minimized in this passage to those who hold on to the dangerous doctrine. Overcoming in Christ is the key here. No amount of self-will or exercise is enough. The will and the doing come only through Jesus. Any self-actions, whether grit, determination, morning devotions, memorizing Bible texts, diet, you name it, are ropes of sand. Why? It is because we can do nothing without Jesus. He gives us the will (desire) and performs His will through us.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2: 12-13
This is righteousness by faith in Christ alone. We are legalists if we don’t seek righteousness through Him alone. Our choice is to repent and seek to be “in Him” at all times.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
John 15: 5
Other writers confirm Jesus’ statement of warning about the book of life.
Moses:
“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” And the Lord said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.”
Exodus 32: 32-33
David:
Let them be blotted out of the book of the living,
And not be written with the righteous.
Psalm 69:28
Only those who remain in the book of life will be spared destruction in the lake of file.
: And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:15
Conclusion
I ask the question after reading Christ’s message to Sardis: Why does Jesus give these warnings and council to all the churches and individuals if there was no possibility of having their names blotted from the book of life? The answer is obvious.
It is God’s purpose to correct our journey with Him. It is not a one-time trip down the aisle of the church. It is a daily choice to live “in Jesus” or live in our own power. We often are tempted and pulled away from Him. Our best course is found in the council to Sardis to “watch.” Be aware of the workings of Satan and our sinful flesh. Repent if we know we are not in line with God’s will. Turn over the steering wheel of life to the only One who can save us from our sins and give us the power to be victorious. Otherwise, we deceive ourselves and are in danger of thinking we are religious enough to be saved.
The Sardis church was lazy and comfortable. It would lead to defeat. But those few who had an ear listened and followed Jesus’ words were given the gift of eternal life. They are made worthy by the white robe of Christ’s righteousness.
You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments, and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
Revelation 3:4