Is Your Name in the Book of Life?/SARDIS

 Some 30 miles south of modern Akhisar (Thyatira) is the state of the most congregation to receive a message from the glorified Jesus:  Sardis.  In the sixth century before our Common Era, this city was the proud capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia ad seat of the enormously King Croesus.  By John's day, it has fallen on hard times, and its former splendor under Croesus is mere history.  Similarly, the Christians congregation there has become spiritually impoverished. For the first time, Jesus does not begin his message with a word of commendation.  Instead, he says: "And to the angel of the congregation in Sardis write:  These are the things that he says who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars,  'I know your deeds, that  you have the name that are alive, but you are dead." - REVELATION 3:1. 

Why does Jesus identify himself as the  "one who has the seven spirits"?  Because these spirits represent Jehovah's holy spirit flowing in it fullness.  Later, John  describes them also  as  "seven eyes,: indicating the penetrating vision that God's holy spirit bestows on Jesus. (Revelation 5:6)   Thus, he is able to uncover and handle any situation that may exist.  (Matthew 10:26; 1 Corinthians 4:5)   The congregation in Sardis has the reputation of being alive, active.  But Jesus can see that it is spiritually dead. Evidently, most of its members have relapsed into an apathy similar to their condition before they became Christians. - Compare EPHESIANS  2:1-3; HEBREWS 5:11-14.

Jesus also reminds  "the angel of the congregation in Sardis" that He is the one who  has "the seven stars."  He holds those congregations in his right hand, having authority to direct them in their shepherding work.  They should set their hearts to 'knowing positively the appearance of the flock.'  (Proverbs 27:23)  Hence, they had better listen carefully to Jesus' next words: "Become watchful, and strengthen the things remaining that were ready to die, for I have not found your deeds fully performed before my God.  Therefore, continue mindful of how you have received and how you heard, and go on keeping it, and repent.  Certainly unless you wake up, I shall come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I shall come  upon you." - REVELATION3:2, 3.

The elders in Sardis need to remember the joy they first felt when they learned the truthy and the blessings they then received.  But now they are dead as to  spiritual activity.  Their congregational lamp is flickering because of lack of works of faith. Years before, the apostle Peter wrote to the congregation in Asia (like including Sardis) to build appreciation for the glorious good news that Christians had accepted and that  had been declared "with holy spirit sent forth from heaven"-as represented by the seven spirits of John's vision. Peter also reminded those Asian Christians that they belonged to 'a chose race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that they should declare abroad the  excellencies of one that called them out of darkness into his wonderful light." (Peter  1:12, 25; 2:9) Meditating on such spirit truths will help the congregation in Sardis to repent and "strengthen the things remaining." -  Compare 2 PETER 3:9.

At the moment, their appreciation and love of the truth are like a fire that has almost died out.  Just a few embers continue to glow.  Jesus encourages them to fan the spark, stir up the fire, repent of the sins into which their negligence has led them, and become a spiritually alive congregation once again.  (Compare 2 Timothy 1:6, 7.)  Otherwise, when Jesus comes unexpectedly-"as a thief"-to execute judgment, the congregation in Sardis will be unprepared. - MATTHEW 24:43, 44. 

Next time: Is Your Name in the Book of Life?/SARDIS - Coming "as a Thief"

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