Letters to the seven churches: Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6
The fifth church Jesus addresses is that of Sardis. The description Jesus uses of Himself is “Him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars” (c.f. Rev. 1:16). The ‘seven spirits’, which can also be translated ‘sevenfold Spirit’, is a term used of the Holy Spirit, taken from Isa. 11:2. The number seven symbolises completeness. The seven stars, we are told, are the seven angelos of the seven churches, the messengers or leaders. Jesus holds them all in His hand.
The name Sardis carries the idea of a remnant who escaped. The historical time period this church corresponds to is that of the Reformation, and for those of us who attend Protestant churches, it’s easy to feel like we escaped out of the clutches of Roman Catholicism thanks to Martin Luther. But Jesus has nothing good to say about the church of Sardis. Instead, He rebukes them, saying, “you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead” (Rev. 3:1). The term ‘reputation’, or ‘name’ in some translations, is the Greek onoma, from which we get the word ‘denomination’. How many people do you know who will gladly say they are ‘Lutheran’ or ‘Wesleyan’ or ‘Presbyterian’ etc., but show no evidence of having a living relationship with Jesus Christ?
Next comes the exhortation: Remember, obey, and repent (Rev. 3:3). We need to set aside our labels and get back to basics – reading, studying, and obeying the Word of God.
The promise to the overcomer is twofold: to be dressed in white (symbolic of purity and righteousness), and to never have their name blotted out of the book of life but to have their name confessed before the Father. Again, the word ‘name’ (onoma) is emphasised. The church had a name that they were alive, but were dead; the overcomer’s name will not be blotted out but will be proclaimed. Now, the issue of blotting out concerns many people. If your name is in the Lamb’s book of life – if you have entrusted your life to Him as the Saviour of your soul – it cannot be blotted out. Jesus is simply reminding us of this promise. He is not saying there is a risk it could be blotted out if we do not overcome.
Finally we have the ‘he who has an ear’ phrase at the end, as for Thyatira. The church of Sardis, the denominational church, will continue to the end. Did you see the reference to Jesus’ return? “But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you” (Rev. 3:3), reminiscent of Matt. 24:43-44, Luke 12:39-40, 1 Thess. 5:2, 2 Pet. 3:10.