Revelation Chapter 3 Commentary

So, Sardis.  We don’t really have a meaning for the name but it was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, one of the provinces of Asia Minor, and was situated at the foot of mount Tmolus, on a plain watered by the river Pactolus, famous for its golden sands.   It was the capital where the celebrated Croesus, a King, who known for his wealth, reigned.  Sardis was taken by Cyrus, (in 548 BC) and then it passed into the hands of the Romans where it rose in rank in terms of wealth.

In the time of Tiberius (14AD -37AD) it was destroyed by an earthquake, but was quickly rebuilt by order of the emperor again and was renowned for its opulence and wealth.   The inhabitants of Sardis had a poor reputation among the ancient Greeks due to their voluptuous and excessive lifestyles.

Successive earthquakes, along with the ravages of the Saracens (Muslims) and the Turks, reduced this once celebrated city to a heap of ruins, though it still shows its former splendor in and through its remains.  So, let’s get into it.  

Chapter 3 verse 1:

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.  2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 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. 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. 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. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Okay back to verse 1.

And unto the messenger 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.

Of course, John opens up to the church at Sardis in the same manner as He does to others - with a description of Jesus, saying

“These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God and the Seven Stars.”

According to what we studied in the first volume the phrase, "the seven spirits of God," seems to refer to the Holy Spirit of God in fullness or totality (with seven being the complete number). “And the seven stars,” also taken from Revelation 1, which we determined to be the Seven Churches because that is how the text describes them. So, the idea is the fullness of the Spirit was in His possession as He guided these seven churches toward the end of the age.  So, he repeats to Sardis the same intro words he gives to the others saying

“I know thy works.”

To the church at Sardis Jesus has very little good to say.  He will admit that they have a few who are “worthy” but He pretty much maligns the spiritual condition of this particular church all together.  He begins by quizzically saying:

“I know thy works THAT thou hast a name that thou livest.”

This seems to mean, “you have a reputation of being Christians – of possessing even eternal life. This is your works that I am aware of.”  In the New Testament the terms life and living are often used to mean those who have been born from above as compared to those who remain natural men and women.   This could be the meaning here as well.  Some scholars believe that Jesus is telling them that they pretend to have a relationship with Him which could be true relative to what he says next.

“You are reported to be a church that is alive” but Jesus makes the reality of their faith clear by adding, “and art dead.”

Now, this is a really intriguing thing to hear from Jesus.  It’s blunt as all get out and to me hard to understand relative to the following facts:

First, if they are spiritually dead (and they must be since Jesus says they are) how would He expect this message to be received by them?  I mean the dead – physically or spiritually – have no capacity to hear, right?  Unless . . . we need to rethink our views on this.  See, there is the ardent position that we are all born spiritually dead.  And from  this position comes even more differing views.  On the one end is the teaching that we are so dead that there is nothing we can do to hear God.  Therefore, God must regenerate us without our permission or compliance or cooperation before we can hear or comprehend spiritual truths.

This is the five-point Calvinist position called, “total depravity,” and from it comes the teaching that God elects those whom He will quicken (or make alive) by the Spirit.  The thinking is rational because if we are dead we are dead and absolutely incapable of hearing or doing anything spiritual.  On the other end of the argument, however, is the Arminian idea that says there is just enough in us spiritually that we are, in fact, able to respond to spiritual leanings.  Obviously, the believers in Sardis were in serious spiritual trouble – so much so that Jesus calls them DEAD without any sort of qualifications or special circumstances mentioned.  But as obvious is the fact that His even speaking to them with instructions directly suggests that they are capable of responding, even though He calls them dead.

For me this is evidence that “spiritually dead,” in the scripture, does not mean absolutely incapable of responding freely to His calls to either receive Him or repent; that there is, in fact, something in all of us (even in our most destitute conditions) that allows, even demands all people to choose.  

With the exception of a few believers here in Sardis, it seems that these folks had all the outward pretenses of the faith but were “inwardly full of dead dried bones,” rather than utterly dead to the things of the spirit and the freedom to choose.

Interestingly, we notice that the Lord does not, as He does in the case of the churches of Ephesus and Thyatira, specify any prevailing form of error or false doctrine among the believers in Sardis.  There are no whores mentioned to throw into bed or doctrines of the Nicolaitans having sway.  Perhaps the seven churches collectively tell us a story through their respective condition?  This is the historicist view but they claim there are actual periods in church history that correlate to the churches state rather than just allegory or spiritual patterns. In any case, after telling the Church at Sardis that they are dead, he says (verse 2)

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Reading this we have another option to the fact that Jesus says that the church is dead yet He continues to give them instructions – that these words are only for the living who remain, that the dead are in fact, incapable of hearing anything He will say?  That is a possibility.  So let’s also consider this option as we work through this text.  So, Jesus says:

“You have the appearance of being alive but you are dead.”

“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.”

In contradistinction to the description of them being dead, Jesus tells them to be watchful – wakeful.  In Matthew 25:13 He told His disciples:

“Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

The direction for them to watch here, in my estimation, is a reiteration of this – because for them that is what it was all about – watching for His imminent return to wrap up that age and put an end to all that came before once and for all.  So . . .

“Be wakeful; be attentive and earnest as those around you are dead to such things” and He adds, “strengthen the things which remain.”

Again, this seems to be to those who are dead (who He says are dead) but it may also be to the few who continue to abide.  The command is,

“Strengthen the things which remain.”

I think there is a really good principle expressed here that Jesus introduces to us the reader in this day and age.  He has called them “dead,” whatever that means.  But His advice to them is to continue to be watchful and attentive and earnest and to 

“Strengthen that which remains.”

In my estimation, and this is how I see God, but in His mind everything that remains of anything is considered valuable, has merit, is worthy saving and we ought to strive to strengthen such.  A man who has wasted his brains on drugs still has part of him that remains; embrace this, invite this, strengthen it and do not cast it off.  This principle is illustrated throughout the Old Testament when they would harvest the fields.  They would glean the fields and what was “left behind” was gleaned even further by the poor.   The principle shown when Jesus multiplies the loaves and fishes and after all had eaten He had the apostles gather up the remaining into twelve baskets.  If God is this way with the food of this world the principle seems to be even more important when applied to human beings.

I am therefore of the opinion that no matter how ugly or bad or disastrous a situation might get to in an individual’s life, there is hope, there is a glimmer of redemption, there is a chance for new life and believers ought to “strengthen the things that remain.”

In the case of the Church at Sardis, though dead, Jesus commends them to “strengthen that which remains.”  Was this about individuals who remained, or vestiges of the faith that remained in them, or the good works that remained?  We can’t say.  But some sort of Godliness remained there among them and as long as this was the case, there was hope.  

People often ask me, in light of my views of the world today, what I think (as a sold-out proponent of total fulfillment) what will happen to the world in the end with my view.  Based on what I believe the Bible says, that the world, since Jesus victory over sin and death, will continue to roll on forevermore.  I believe that from this world, people, to God’s glory, will come to Him by faith and as long as this is the case the world will continue to spin in the light.  Has it darkened?  Certainly?  But it has been dark before.  Will it ever be destroyed?  Maybe, but it would be by us not God – especially as long as there are people on it with some strength in them remaining.

Perhaps, if we get to a day and age where the Gospel has entirely died from the face of the earth, God will allow human beings to do what will do without Him (that is, to destroy ourselves) or perhaps if there is no glimmer of light left God will wipe the world out all together.  But scripture says the opposite.  It says this world will never end!  In any case, I am a believer in the idea that as long as there is some strength left, some light, some believers, He, and it, will abide. And this is therefore the principle – What is worth saving?  The reply, “all who are made in His image – no matter how diminished because even the smallest spark can reignite a forest fire.”

In the case of Sardis, we are talking about a church that Jesus is preparing for His imminent coming.  And while there were just a few remaining they were enough for Him to give them some directives.  So, He tells them to strengthen that which remains.  And He appears to have a reason for saying this as He adds: 

“For,” (which is always a reference to what was said before) I have not found thy works perfect before God.”  The YLT literal translation puts it this way:

“become watching and strengthen the rest of the things that are about to die, for I have not found thy works fulfilled before God.”

What do you notice about this?  First, Jesus speaks of things or people that 

“are about to die” (What does this mean?)

Then He explains that HE (Jesus - the intermediary between God and Man 

“He has not found the works of Sardis fulfilled before God.” 

A line that seems to differentiate between Him (and His position as mediator) and that of God.  It’s a line that appears to place the labors of the church hanging in the balance between God’s expectations and their short comings.   In other words, they fall short of what seems to be required by God Himself.  

What could they be short of?  In my opinion it has to be love or else we are stepping back into faith that requires more than the commands to love, and that just doesn’t seem possible.  However, we are not equipped to describe what the shortcomings are without question but comparing scripture to scripture it would seem they were failing in love.  So, Jesus says (at verse 3)

3 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.

So, to that first line:

“Remember therefore how thou hast received.”  I think it's pretty obvious that Jesus is telling them that as a means to remain strong (or even possibly to revive in the faith) to 

Remember, what they had once received,” He says, which could mean “look back” to how you first received the Gospel, or the experience, or the way you related to the world at that time.  This is the advice of the Lord either to those who are living among a dead church and/or to those who have died to the faith and He seeks to try and revive them. From this we too are given some tools on how to deal with people who are lost sheep or subject to desperate conditions – including how to deal with ourselves. But we note that Jesus doesn’t just tell them to “remember how they received” but adds, “and what you heard.”  There is something really significant to what we hear as human beings, relative to the Gospel and to truth.   Seekers seem to have ears that hear what is real and true.

I remember where I was when I received the Good News and I can remember what I heard just thirty minutes earlier that apparently opened my heart – the words of Dr. Charles Stanley over the radio.   I remember where I was, I remember the effect his message had on my person, and how they ultimately served to emancipate me from the grip of religion.  I cannot – when I look back and remember – deny this experience with God.  In times of trial and crisis of faith these foundational moments serve to remind me of where I came from, where I was without Him and this truth in my life, and it softens me, reminds me that I am not all that, and that there is something far greater out there than myself, my opinions and my needs or wants.  

After instructing them to remember how and what they heard he adds that they should, “hold fast.”  The Greek term translated to “hold fast” in the King James (tay-rey-o) better means something slightly modified, “to guard.”  Protect.  And then he adds as a third remedy to their deathly state saying, “and repent.”

Change your mind about where you are, where you are headed. So . . .

Remember how . . .

Remember what you heard . . .

Protect it . . . and

Change your mind . . . .

All advice to the church in Sardis that Jesus Himself has called, dead.  After saying all this Jesus seems to speak as if there is a high probability that they will not comply with all He has said, as so then He adds:

“If therefore thou shalt not watch.”

The Greek word used here is “gregoreo,” (where we get “gregarious”) meaning, “if you become the opposite of gregarious, slothful, in watching” Watching for what?

For His coming.

The phrase sounds like it’s a conditional warning – “If you don’t do this then I will do that,” but more probably it was said as a fact – “watch, because I am coming – as promised – within a generation, to bring with me reward to the faithful and judgement to those who are not.”

This is what he says to them:

“Watch, because I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”

Okay, it’s time for some clarification – and I’m sure some will not agree with me and they have every right.  But Jesus is talking to a Church in Asia Minor, not a Church in Jerusalem full of converted Jews.  And we know that Jerusalem was utterly wiped out within a generation of Jesus death and resurrection, which I contend was something that occurred at His second coming where He brought to them rewards and Judgement.

So, then what’s with the warnings to these churches and believers outside of Jerusalem where there was no destruction?   Let look to the graph below to help explain what the heck is going on here.   Begin at the first column, read down through it all, then go to the next column in line.

“SEVEN COLUMNS ON ESCHATOLOGY”

1 The Old Testament prophecies  of a Promised Messiah	2 Vital  Facts to remember	3 Old Testament Passages that speak to the end of their age	4 (Matthew chapter 22 – 23 then . . .) Jesus Words . . . Matt 24	5  How does 70AD attack on Jerusalem meet the words of Jesus and the Old Test ?	6 Revel-ation?	7 So then what about us today?
		7 Years or 3.5 Years Daniel 7:25; 9:27; 12:7
(see exhibit #1 below this chart)	Jesus the Messiah came to the Jews first (and exclusively)	Corpses Isaiah 34:3; Ezekiel 39:11-20; Joel 2:20	X	Discover all the information as we study the Book of Revelation	Keep Reading!	Keep reading!
	The Bible is a record of their history and dealings.	Men Killed By Fire Isaiah 13:8,12; 24:6; 33:14; 34:9; 51:6; 65:15,16; Ezekiel 38:22; 39:6; Zechariah 14:12; Malachi 4:1	Luke 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.	Go to next column 6	Go to next column 7
	The Jews anticipated an “end of the Jewish Age.”	Hailstones Ezekiel 38:22	X
	This end is unfortunately described as “an end of the world” in the King James.	Earthquakes Isaiah 24:18-20; Ezekiel 38:19,20; Joel 2:10(?); 3:16; Amos 9:5; Zechariah 14:4	7 “and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”
	The Jews had no belief in the end of the world, just the end of that age.	All Nations Gathered to War Isaiah 13:4; 66:18; Zechariah 12:1-4; 14:2	“For nation shall rise against nation,” (tribe)
	John the Baptist came warning of this impending end. “The axe is laid at the root of the tree.”	Signs in Sky Isaiah 13:10; 24:23; Joel 2:10,30; 3:15; Zechariah 14:6,7	Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:
	Jesus was asked by His own disciples, “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the age?”  Matt 24:3	Regathering of Israel Ezekiel 37  (valley of Bones)	Played out by Jesus coming to baptize with the Holy Spirit
UP TO NEXT COLUMN number 2	UP TO NEXT COLUMN number 3	Abomination of Desolation Daniel 9:27; 12:11	“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place”
		The Beast, or Antichrist Isaiah 14:12-15; Daniel 7:8, 24; 8:19, 26; 9:26, 27; 11:36ff; Zechariah 11:15-17	“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
		10 Nations Daniel 2:42,44; 7:24
		Confusion in Last Battle Ezekiel 38:21; Zechariah 12:4; 14:13
		Jewish Revival Ezekiel 37:9-14; Zechariah  12:10-14; 13:1-9	And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
		Second Advent Ezekiel 39:21; Daniel 2:44; 7:13,14; Zechariah 14:4; Malachi 2:1-3	“And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.”
		Kings of East Daniel 11:44
		Kings of South Ezekiel 38:5; Daniel 11:40
		Kings of North Ezekiel 38:15ff; 39:2; Daniel 11:40; Joel 2:20
		Remnant Saved Joel 2:12, 17; 3:32; Amos 9:8; Zechariah 13:8,9; 14:2,5	“Those who believed.”
		UP TO NEXT COLUMN Number 4	NON-OT Descriptions “wars and rumors of wars” “false Christs” “Disciples hated for His names sake” “betrayal and hatred” “false prophets” “love wax cold” NOW GO UP TO THE NEXT COLUMN Number 5

EXHIBIT #1 Old Testament Prophecies about Jesus

Expectation OT Ref New Testament Fulfillment

1 Messiah would be born of a woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20 / Galatians 4:4

2 Messiah would be born of a woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20 / Galatians 4:4

3 Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 Matthew 2:1 / Luke 2:4-6

4 Messiah would be born of a virgin. Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:22-23 / Luke 1:26-31

4 Messiah would come from Abraham. Genesis 12:3 Genesis 22:18 / Matthew 1:1 / Romans 9:5

5 Descendant of Isaac. Genesis 17:19 Genesis 21:12 /Luke 3:34

6 Descendant of Jacob. Numbers 24:17 Matthew 1:2

7 Messiah would come from Judah. Genesis 49:10 Luke 3:33 / Hebrews 7:14

8 Heir to King David's throne. 2 Samuel 7:12-13 / Isaiah 9:7 Luke 1:32-33 / Romans 1:3

9 The throne will be anointed and eternal. Psalm 45:6-7 Daniel 2:44 / Luke 1:33 / Hebrews 1:8-12

10 Called Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 Matthew 1:23

11 Would spend a season in Egypt. Hosea 11:1 Matthew 2:14-15

12 A massacre of children Jeremiah 31:15 Matthew 2:16-18

13 A messenger would prepare the way Isaiah 40:3-5 Luke 3:3-6

14 Rejected by his own people. Psalm 69:8 / Isaiah 53:3 John 1:11 / John 7:5

15 Messiah would be a prophet. Deuteron 18:15 Acts 3:20-22

16 Messiah would be preceded by Elijah. Malachi 4:5-6 Matthew 11:13-14

17 Declared the Son of God. Psalm 2:7 Matthew 3:16-17

18 Messiah would be called a Nazarene. Isaiah 11:1 Matthew 2:23

19 Messiah would bring light to Galilee. Isaiah 9:1-2 Matthew 4:13-16

20 Messiah would speak in parables. Psalm 78:2-4 / Isaiah 6:9-10 Matthew 13:10-15, 34-35

21 He would heal the brokenhearted. Isaiah 61:1-2 Luke 4:18-19

22 A priest after the order of Melchizedek Psalm 110:4 Hebrews 5:5-6

23 Messiah would be called King. Psalm 2:6 / Zechariah 9:9 Matthew 27:37 / Mark 11:7-11

24 Praised by little children. Psalm 8:2 Matthew 21:16

25 Messiah would be betrayed. Psalm 41:9 Zechariah 11:12-13 / Luke 22:47-48

26 Money to buy a potter's field. Zechariah 11:12-13 Matthew 27:9-10

27 Messiah would be falsely accused. Psalm 35:11 Mark 14:57-58

28 Silent before his accusers. Isaiah 53:7 Mark 15:4-5

29 Spat upon and struck. Isaiah 50:6 Matthew 26:67

30 Hated without cause. Psalm 35:19 / 69:4 John 15:24-25

31 Crucified with criminals. Isaiah 53:12 Matthew 27:38

32 Vinegar to drink. Psalm 69:21 Matthew 27:34 / John 19:28-30

33 Hands and feet would be pierced. Psalm 22:16 / Zech 12:10 John 20:25-27

34 Mocked and ridiculed. Psalm 22:7-8 Luke 23:35

35 Gamble for garments. Psalm 22:18 Luke 23:34 / Matthew 27:35-36

36 Messiah's bones would not be broken. Exodus 12:46 / Psalm 34:20 John 19:33-36

37 Messiah would be forsaken by God. Psalm 22:1 Matthew 27:46

38 Messiah would pray for his enemies. Psalm 109:4 Luke 23:34

39 Soldiers would pierce Messiah's side. Zechariah 12:10 John 19:34

40 Messiah would be buried with the rich. Isaiah 53:9 Matthew 27:57-60

41 Messiah would resurrect from the dead. Psalm 16:10 / 49:15 Matthew 28:2-7

42 Messiah would ascend to heaven. Psalm 24:7-10 Mark 16:19 / Luke 24:51

43 Seated at God's right hand. Psalm 68:18 / 110:1 Mark 16:19 / Matthew 22:44

44 Messiah would be a sacrifice for sin. Isaiah 53:5-12 Romans 5:6-8