Prophecy

Earlene Davis

Christ’s message to Sardis

Revelation 3:1, “And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Sardis name has several meanings, “prince of joy” or “that which remains” or “escaping.” The Sardis church was ready to die, not much life remined there. Some escaped this condition, thus their name would mean “escaping” and “prince of joy.” 

The Lord comes to them as “he that hath the 7 Spirits if God (the 7-fold Holy Spirit), and the 7 stars.” To Ephesus He “holdeth the 7 stars” – (2:1) speaking of the messengers or pastors of the churches. Here He “has” them. He does not have the control as He should, because they do not walk in the Spirit. “I know thy works,” you have a name that you live. This church had a name that they were Christians, that they believed in Christ. But they really didn’t have much. There is a great difference between professing to be Christian and actually possessing Christ.

Vs. 2-3, “Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.  Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” This assembly had left the teaching they had received (no doubt the fundamentals of the gospel). 

The Lord reproves them and admonishes them – “to repent,” for I have not found they works perfect before God. If you don’t watch, I will come on thee as a thief and you will not know the hour I will come.  I Thess. 5:1-11 – brethren you are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief. You are all children of light…so let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.

Vs. 4, “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”

V. 5, “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Praise the Lord for the few that have not defiled their garments. They shall walk with me in white raiment. This mean they are saved, possessors, clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Many join a church and profess to be Christians and are not. But if our names are written in the Lambs book of life, they will never be blotted out. He knoweth them that are His (II Tim. 2:19).

V. 6, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” 

Next issue: Philadelphia