Shalom:
We have arrived before an awesome fortress. A Mighty Fortress lies before us: THE FIFTH CHURCH AT SARDIS
Review:
We have traced the historical periods that correspond to these seven churches. As review, we said that the Ephesian church represented that Apostolic church. The time period begins at Pentecost and extends to about 100 AD, when the great persecutions begin. The church at Smyrna represented the Martyred Church. This church period lasted from 100 AD to 313, when Constantine makes Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. It included 10 `days' of persecution. The third period, corresponding to the Church at Pergamus lasted from 313 to 590, the last being the persecution under Emperor Diocletian. This period we described as the period when the world entered into the church. It was corrupted. It has also been described as the `state church'. This period lasted until the time of the first pope, Pope Gregory I. This fourth period of church history some term the `dark age of the church'. Christs' example church for this period is the church at Thyratira. The period of time lasted from 590 AD to the time of the reformation in 1517 AD, over 1000 years of church history. Now it is the church who rules, not the state. It is not a `state church', it is a `church state', a theocracy under the power of the popes.
The meanings of the church names are as follows: Ephesus means "beloved", or perhaps "relaxation". Smyrna means "myrrh" or "bitterness." Pergamos means parchment, and Thyatira, named after the sun god means, according to Dwight Pentecost "perpetual sacrifice" or "continual offering" (which is interesting in view of the emphasis placed on the eucharist). Sardis, according to Pentecost, means "those escaping", or "renovation." Philadelphia is "brotherly love", and finally Laodicea means "the people ruling or speaking", or the "judgement of the people", which again is very interesting.
Another point that Pentecost makes is that the first three church eras can be seen to terminate at specific dates, while the latter four churches seem to overlap. You can tell when they begin, but the church continues to the present day. Every denomination contains people that can be characterized as having one or more of these churches operating within them, both Protestant and Catholic.
The Church at Sardis
In the panorama of church history, Sardis represents the Protestant church during the period between AD 1517 and approximately AD 1800. It began when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses onto the chapel of the church at Wittenburg, Germany. It is an era which started with the Reformation and takes us into the beginning of the great missionary movement in the history of the church.
Sardis was the capital of the great kingdom of Lydia, and one of the oldest and most important cities of Asia Minor. It was located inland and built on a small, elevated plateau which rises sharply above the Hermus Valley (refer to our map). On all sides but one the rock walls are smooth, nearly vertical and absolutely unscalable. The only access is on the southern side by a very steep and difficult path. It is a difficult climb to the top of this plateau or what we Westerners would call a mesa. This was a Mighty Fortress city. (Does this remind you of any song in particular?)
During ancient times (i.e. Assyrian and Babylonian Empires in 12th c BC), it was a fortress-waystation called Sepharad on the long land route from Babylon and Assyria to Lydia (Lud) and then to the Aegean Sea and Greece. As time passed and civilization and commerce developed and grew more complex,the high plateau of the city became too small, and a lower city was built chiefly on the west side of the original city. The name was changed as the city grew. Remember, Sardis, according to Pentecost, means "those escaping", or "renovation", probably the latter meaning is correct. The old city was used as an acropolis. Actually this made it a double city, and it was called by the plural noun Sardeis or Sardis. The plain was well watered by the Pactolus River. It became the center of the carpet industry and was noted for its wealth. Coins were first minted there. Its last prince was the wealthy Croesus who was captured by Cyrus the Great of Persia in 549 BC. He was considered the wealthiest man in the world, and everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. Sardis was ruled by the Persians, by Alexander, by Antiochus the Great, and finally by the Romans. It was destroyed by an earthquake during the reign of Tiberius about 29 AD during the ministry of Jesus.
Today, the ruins of the temple of Cybele (Diana, the trident goddess, who now becomes a nature goddess of the moon) and also of the temple of Apollo (sun god) can still be seen. It is one of the few double temples. They were brother and sister. This was a very corrupt worship, as at Ephesus. Extensive excavations have taken place there and they have rebuilt the gymnasium and also the synagogue. They have found the Roman road which Paul walked upon many times.
The Message to Sardis
And unto the angel of the church on 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 (Rev 3:1)
Christ presents Himself to this church as the One having the seven Spirits of God; that is, He is the One who sent the Holy Spirit into the world.
As we have seen, Sardis represents the Protestant church. What this church needs, Jesus is saying, is the Holy Spirit working in it.
He says, "I know thy works". This word of commendation refers to the Reformation doctrine of justification by faith. The protestant church of this time teaches that we are justified by faith and that faith produces works.
Now the rebuke, or correction. "That thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead". Protestantism today, as a whole, has a name that it lives by, but many are dead. Many Protestant churches today are just going through their sectarian forms of doctrine. This mighty church has failed to achieve true UNITY of the Body of Christ. They are building new churches, new people are coming on Sunday morning, but not many come through the week to hear the word of God. This is a frightful condemnation of protestantism today.
Although we look back to the Reformation as a tremendous reform of Christ's Church, it is a fact that the reformation did not recover all of the truth of the Gospel. For example, look at the lack of knowledge concerning the end times and the arguments over that. Look at the sectarianism that has emerged. Look at the confusion over prophecy, the gifts of the Spirit, and the freedom to worship God with enthusiasm. These truths are just now being revealed in our church age. It was a delight to see ALL of the men of the Body raising their hands to the Lord at the PK Assembly. There was a time when many did not have the freedom to do that.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God (Rev 3:2)
In other words, wake up! Strengthen and establish the things that are about todie, for I have not found that you have perfected your works. Have you seen anything dying in the church as a whole today? How about the Trinity, how about the Virgin Birth, how about Original Sin, how about the Blood Atonement? How many churches are straying from these teachings today, replacing them with the theories of man?
Why Sardis
As we have said, Sardis was located on top of a mountain. It had one entrance on the southern side, which was the only way you could get into the city in olden times. Therefore, all that Sardis had to do was to place a guard at that one place to watch the city. But on two occasions in their history, they had been invaded by their enemies because they felt secure , believing that the mount was impregnable, but the guard went to sleep on the job. In 549 BC the Median soldiers of Cyrus scaled the parapet and then again in 218 BC Antiochus the Great captured Sardis because a Cretan slipped over the walls while the sentries were carelessly dozing. Then again, during the time of Jesus, it was destroyed by an earthquake. When does an earthquake come? We are still trying to predict those with little success. What the Lord is saying to this church is this: Wake up and watch out! Don't get caught napping again! You had better be ready when the Lord appears. Every eye will see Him, from East to West, and North to South as well.
Many churches have turned away from looking for the second coming of Jesus and have taught that certain things must happen before He can come again. These churches are asleep and are in great danger. There is nothing to prevent Jesus from coming back to earth. It could be a hundred years, or it could be this afternoon. The church is to be alert, looking for that blessed hope (Titus 2:13). We must be ready at all times for his sudden appearance.
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 (Rev 3:3)
Hold onto the truths. Where is the doctrine of the total depravity of man today? Certainly not in the liberal churches, who see the church-goer as a really good guy who does works of kindness for his fellow man. Is this what we really are? Do we not still have a sin nature? Do these works justify us before God the Father? Are we no longer in need of a blood atonement? Are we, like King Croesus of old, modern-day princes with so much of the world's wealth that we feel we have nothing to worry about. We are instead naked and pitifully poor.
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 (Rev 3:4)
Here in the church, as in Israel of old, there is a remnant that is true to God. In Luke, the Lord refers to the church as His "little flock" (Luke 12:32). Protestantism has had it's great men of faith: Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, John Bunyan (Pilgrims Progress), John Wesley, John Moffat, David Livingstone, William Carey, Henry Martyn, Titus Coan, and many in our time. Great evangelists. But, many strayed from the truth and understood it only in part.
Verse 5 is a difficult passage of Scripture:
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 (Rev 3:5)
He who overcometh is, once again, those that are saved by the blood of Christ and who are saved day-to-day by their faith and obedience, and who are able to complete the course of life and are saved from the second death. We are saved 3 times. We receive a white garment, signifying purity.
The next passage causes some dear brothers a great deal of concern, and well it should. "I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but will confess his name before the Father, and before his angels". There are two heavenly books spoken of in
Scripture. The first is the "book of the generations of Adam" (Gen 5:1). We are all in that book, but it is a death book. The second is the "book of the generation of Jesus Christ (see Matt 1:1). The phrase, `the book of the generation of Jesus Christ" is an unusual expression. It is the Book of Life. Is it possible for you to be entered into that book and then to be blotted out? Can you lose your salvation? Vernon McGee claims no, for we read in John 10:28 this: "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand". However, we also read in the Hebrews 4:14: "...we must never let go of the faith that we have professed". You might want to read that entire section in Hebrews. No man can pluck us from out of the hand of Jesus, but can we simply let go of His hand? I pray that my position on this issue will not alienate those brothers who believe otherwise. It is my belief that, by reference, there will be names blotted out of the Book of Life. Remember, Jesus is walking between the candlesticks, removing them, lest they repent. If He can remove whole candlesticks, can He not also remove those who willfully deny their salvation?. His view penetrates to the mind, heart, and soul of each person. We should keep short accounts with our Lord, and more so as the time draws near.
The Parable of a Hidden Treasure
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a treasure hid in a field; which, when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field.
The Reformation Church (1517 AD to 1800) discovered the Word of God again and brought it to the people, a great treasure. The Protestant Reformation sacrificed all with joy to obtain this great treasure. Still, it failed to fully embrace the whole of the Word, for part of it remained hidden. Like King Croesus behind the walls of his city, the Protestant Church felt secure. It failed to keep watch against intruders, and it was overcome by those that slipped over the walls and seized the treasure for their own selfish purposes.
What church do you belong to? Are you part of a church that is ALIVE, or DEAD? Does your church believe in the FULL gospel of Jesus Christ, or is it content to remain behind the walls of sectarianism? Is your church actively reaching out to the LOST and meeting the needs of your community? If not, you need to do something about it. Revival begins with each one of us.
Shalom,
Lee |
