Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis 1

Revelation 3:1-6Christ’s Address to the Church in Sardis

by Eric DoumaGospel of Grace Fellowship

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis 2

Cybele (Earth Mother) – was the local goddess who gave life after death. She guarded the grave and after-life.

Large Jewish community found a sanctuary by accommodating themselves to pagan practices.

The Church at Sardis wasn’t battling against compromise, they were already dead!

The Dead Church at Sardis

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis 3

Revelation 3:1-2 To the angel of the church in Sardis write: “He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 ‘Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God.’”

Wake up = γίνου γρηγορῶν “become watchful”

Christ’s Assessment

Revelation 3:1-6 Christ’s Message to Sardis 4

Revelation 3:3a So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent.

Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing,

The Call to Repentance

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Revelation 3:3b Therefore if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.

Matt. 24:43 – Jesus’ parousia is like a thief1 Thess. 5:2 – the day of the Lord comes like a thiefMark 13:32 – 70th week of Daniel comes like a thief

The Warning

Parousia

Day of the Lord

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Revelation 3:4 But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

John 6:66 As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.

Revelation 14:4 These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits to God and to the Lamb.

A Few Were True Believers

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Revelation 3:5 ‘He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Believers Are Eternally Secure

To Which Registry Do You Belong?

Babylon New Jerusalemworks grace

pagan practices doctrines of Christ