Lesson 9 

Revelation 3: 1-6
    In Revelation 3:1 - 6, there is the church of Sardis. Sardis was located about 50 miles east of Smyrna and 30 to 35 miles south of Thyatira. It is believed that the legend of the Golden Fleece came from here. According to legend, the river Pactolus became rich in gold when King Midas washed upstream to rid himself of the golden touch. When the people mined the gold, they would put it in sheepskin, which they kept with them. This sheepskin would be placed in the water as they worked.
     There are four different meanings for the name Sardis: 1) precious stone 2) things remaining 3) escaping 4) red ones. Sardis was the capital of the kingdom of Lydia and its chief deity was Artemis.
    Artemis and her twin brother Apollo came to be because Zeus had an affair with Leto before he married Hera. Leto was the gentlest among the gods and she would grant whatever was asked of her to the mortals and immortals. In legends, Artemis is often pictured as a pure and virgin huntress, fearless in opposing her adversaries. As the goddess of the city, she may have been perceived more in her role as a mother goddess, a provider of fertility and overseer of childbirth.
     In Revelation 3:1, we see something very important. Notice the way Jesus tells John to announce Him to the church at Sardis "…he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars…" The seven Spirits according to Revelation 1:4, 16 are before his throne. It looks like Jesus is telling them that they are always in His vision and in His right hand. Remember, the seven Spirits represent the whole body of Christ and the seven stars represent the messengers or pastors of those churches.

    Think about these questions. Write your answers to them please.
  •  What is being stated?
  •  What is He taking out of their mouths?
   The answers to these questions are needed, if we are to hear the rest of God's word about Sardis and us!!!

    Jesus is saying that He has full divine knowledge of our tasks. Who assigned the tasks to us? Not only did He assign the tasks, He gives you your name. So He asks the church of Sardis, why are you living off your name and not living up to your name?

The following definitions help us to understand verses 1 and 2.

    In the letters to the previous churches we have studied, examine the first two verses of each. What do we see that differs from the first two verses in the letter to the church of Sardis?

    Sardis is in a spot that none of us want to be in. Some Christians and "churches" do find themselves in this situation and are hearing this right now. What is most disappointing is that they do not know the message is coming from God. Again we see a church not taking care of home. How many of us have heard people say "my grandparents formed this church," or "my father is the pastor or deacon or mother of the church?" They use these statements to tell people that they have "status" and cannot be told what to do. This is just like saying, "I do not have to do what God says because my folks have made it in, so I am in too." (Matthew 25:41-46)

    Jesus tells John to say to the church of Sardis, along with all of the other churches, that Sardis is inactive and barren and that they are not completing the tasks assigned to them by God. Remember, they were living on their name. Now what kind of name will they have? He also tells them to look at home and to fix those things that are dying off. In order to do this you must be watchful (spiritually awake or spiritually vigilant). How can they be spiritually vigilant when they are in this condition? That answer comes in verse 4. For in 4 we are told that there are some that have not defiled themselves. Before we move into verse 4, examine verse 3.

The following definitions help us to understand verses 3 and 4.

    In verse 3, God is telling the church of Sardis that they need to think about their past life, and how Jesus took them out of that life. He also brings to their mind how they used to act and feel about the relationship they had with Him. It is easy to see how they forgot. RIGHT? Some of you are saying "no way!"

    Then answer this question. Are you growing up in your relationship with God? Are you and those who know you questioning your relationship with God? Maybe your relationship with God is in a holding pattern. He tells the church of Sardis to be vigilant (I Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11, 13, 16) but if they do not he is come like a thief.

    In verse, 4 find that there are a few Christians who are still acting as Christians in the church of Sardis. We are told that they have not allowed their garment (outer clothes) to be defiled - besmeared. Do not think of the garment just as fabric, it can also symbolize your flesh. Their reward for not allowing Satan to stain them is to walk with Jesus (John 17:24) in white.

    In verse 5, Sardis is told that if they overcome (prevail); they will be clothed in white also. They are also told that Jesus will not obliterate their names from the book of life (life as God defines it). Who is in control of the book of life? This will come up later in the study of the end times. Jesus tells them that he will confess (acknowledge openly) their names before (in front of the eye) His Father and the angels.

 

 Lesson's Menu  Lesson 10A: Revelation 3: 7-13