Rev 1:20 "As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

“He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” (Col 1:18)

SardisSardisPhiladelphia

LaodiceaEphesus

Smyrna

Thyatira

Pergamum

It is very apparent from the study of chapters 2 & 3 that the influence of each & every member of each church dictated &

determined the message received by Jesus.

Salutation: Church Character - Salutation: Church Character - v:1v:1

Jesus’ Self-Designation – Jesus’ Self-Designation – v:1v:1

ComCommenmendation of Good – dation of Good – v:4v:4

Condemnation of Evil – Condemnation of Evil – v:1-2v:1-2

Warning & Exhortation – Warning & Exhortation – v:2-3v:2-3

Promise of Reward “Overcomes” – Promise of Reward “Overcomes” – v:5v:5

Invitation to Hear – Invitation to Hear – v:6v:6

SardisSardisPhiladelphia

LaodiceaEphesus

Smyrna

Thyatira

Pergamum

Salutation: Church Character - Salutation: Church Character - v:1v:1

Wealthy, busy center for trade and traffic. It was an economic stronghold of the wool industry. The capitalcapital of Lydia in Asia Minor. The kings who ruled from it were known for their life of wealth, splendor & luxury.

“I know your deeds, that you have a

name that you are alive”

“I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are

alive”

Sardis

Susa

Mounted couriers could travel 1,677 miles in 7 days;

the journey from Susa to Sardis took 90 days on foot.

Salutation: Church Character - Salutation: Church Character - v:1v:1

SardisSardis: Seemed Invincible

It was inaccessible on 3 sides

But twice armies found a way upa way up the steepest side—in 549 BC by a Persian soldier; and by a Cretan in 218 BC.It became a Roman province, was finally destroyeddestroyed in 1412

“I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive”

Jesus’ Self-Designation Jesus’ Self-Designation (v:1)(v:1)

Rev 3:1 He who has the seven Spiritsseven Spirits of God and the seven starsseven stars, says this

Seven Spirits of GodSeven Spirits of God —Perfection of the Holy Spirit.(Rev 1:4-5; 5:6) is represented as sent forth by Him into the world.

• Jn 15:26 "When the HelperHelper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truthSpirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me,• Jn16:7 "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the HelperHelper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.

Seven StarsSeven Stars — The Messengers (1:16, 20) Preachers & leaders are in His control.

HSHS – directing power of God has the ability to revive this “dead”“dead” church if it be willing!

Rev 3:1 I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are deada name that you are alive, but you are dead.

The city once had a name for being invincible— but that was no lonwas no longger trueer true.

They had a name for wealth—but they declined under Rome and that was no lonwas no longger trueer true.

The church had a name ofbeing alive—but now that also was no lonwas no longger true eitherer true either.

Condemnation of Evil – Condemnation of Evil – v:1-2v:1-2

Rev 3:1 I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are deada name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Condemnation of Evil – Condemnation of Evil – v:1-2v:1-2

Examples of a DyinExamples of a Dyingg Church Church:

Songs without spirit & little thought.Prayers as ritual. Serving for recognition.More concern with physical than spiritual.Attending out of habit rather than a desire.Emphasis on tradition rather than on idealsWorshipping the past not planning the future

Dry RotDry Rot

Where are Where are wewe??Where are Where are wewe??

Warning & Exhortation – Warning & Exhortation – v:2v:2

Rev 3:2 Wake upWake up, and strengthenstrengthen the things that the things that remainremain, which were about to die.

The warning “wake up” should have struck a receptive chord in the heart of every Christian in Sardis, 2 times their city had fallen because they were asleep

The Lord admonished them to strengthen what remained & not to give up because the church was weak. Where there is life, there is hope!

Rom 13:11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the Rom 13:11 Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.nearer to us than when we believed.

Rev 3:2 For I have not found your deeds not found your deeds completedcompleted in the sight of my God

Do you Do you finishfinish what whatyou start ?you start ?

I was gonna lead sinlead singgininggI was gonna teach a classteach a classI was gonna inviteinvite more peopleI was gonna be more hospitablehospitableI was gonna finishfinish this Bible classI was gonna be more patient to others

I was gonna be more friendly & outfriendly & outggoinoinggI was gonna be more generousgenerousI was gonna be more spiritual, prayerfulspiritual, prayerfulI was gonna meet my ggoalsoals this yearI was gonna …

Warning & Exhortation – Warning & Exhortation – v:2v:2

Rev 3:3 So Rev 3:3 So rememberremember what you have received and heard: what you have received and heard: and and keep itkeep it, and , and repentrepent. Therefore if you do not . Therefore if you do not wake upwake up, I , I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. will come to you.

1.1. RememberRemember — Continuous: “Keep on remembering what

God has done for you”

2.2. Keep Keep it it — Continuous: “Hold tight & don’t let loose”3.3. RepentRepent — Point Action: “Change your mind— once & for all”“Wake upWake up” — If the believers at Sardis did not follow His orders, He would come as a thief, when they least expected Him; and this would mean judgment.

Warning & Exhortation – Warning & Exhortation – v:3v:3

Rev 3:4 But you have a few peoplefew people in Sardis who have not soiled their garmentshave not soiled their garments; and they will walk they will walk with Me in whitewith Me in white, for they are worthy.

Temples to Artemis (Diana)and Cy-bele were fertilityfertility goddesses there in Sardis.

Even if you’re in a dead church & corrupt society—you can still be pure, saved & rejoicinpure, saved & rejoicingg!

That suggests that most in the church had soiledsoiled robes (lives)

ComCommenmendation of Good – dation of Good – v:4v:4

To walk in white may refer to the Roman custom that on the day of military triumph “a cavalcade of nobles, all in white” marched thru the streets of Rome.

What a greater honor it will be to march in the final grand

victory with the Lord!

Symbol of PurityPurity (Rev 19:8) “fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints”Symbol of JoyJoy (Eccl 9:8) “Let your clothes be white all the time”Book of LifeBook of Life -- Your name on record. (Phil 4:3)Confess his nameConfess his name— Jesus will acknowledge you in heaven (Matt 10:32)

Rev 3:5 He who overcomesovercomes will thus be clothed in clothed in white garmentswhite garments; and I will not erase his name from I will not erase his name from the book of lifethe book of life, and I will confess his name before I will confess his name before

My Father and before His angelsMy Father and before His angels.

Promise of Reward “Overcomes” – Promise of Reward “Overcomes” – v:5v:5

V:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him V:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”before My Father who is in heaven.”

Invitation to Hear – Invitation to Hear – v:6v:6

Rev 3:6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

Jesus used this phrase often; Matt 11:15, 13:9, Mk 4:9; Lk 8:8; Matt 13:43; Mk 4:23; Lk 14:35. It is repeated in each of the 7 letters.

Hearing is personal & individual. It involves, acceptance of & compliance with that which is said.

Each is to hear what the Spirit said to all the churches.

“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41) NKJV

Be Watchful-Be Watchful-11 Pet 5:8Pet 5:8Be Watchful-Be Watchful-11 Pet 5:8Pet 5:8

Wake Wake Up-Rev 3:3Up-Rev 3:3Wake Wake Up-Rev 3:3Up-Rev 3:3

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”

“I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.”

Strengthen-Strengthen-11 Cor 15:58Cor 15:58Strengthen-Strengthen-11 Cor 15:58Cor 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”

Remember-Remember-Rev 3:3Rev 3:3Remember-Remember-Rev 3:3Rev 3:3 “So remember what you have received and heard”

Keep it-Keep it-2 Tim 1:132 Tim 1:13Keep it-Keep it-2 Tim 1:132 Tim 1:13 “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.”Repent-Repent-Acts 8:22Acts 8:22Repent-Repent-Acts 8:22Acts 8:22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.”

Overcome-Overcome-Rev 3:5Rev 3:5Overcome-Overcome-Rev 3:5Rev 3:5

“He who overcomes will thus be clothed 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.”