Dear Family,
Today is Sabbath, May 16, 2020, Day 35 in our Counting toward Pentecost. This is the 7th day of Week 5.
The Church at Sardis is the fifth Church mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3. The city of Sardis was a very old city with a great history. At one time, it was a teaming, bustling ancient center of commerce. There was gold in the river that ran below the city. And, a number of sources mention that Sardis may have been the first city to mint coins from gold and silver. Sardis also was a textile city where beautiful white cloth was made for the local goddess worship.
The city was built upon a rock; not on the top of the rock, but high upon its side. And, for many centuries the city was thought to be impregnable. However, twice it was over run by enemies. In both cases, the posting of guards around the city became very lax. And, the enemies came in like a thief in the night. The city also was once quite devastated by a huge earthquake and never ever really gained the prominence the residents liked to claim they had. In some early writings, the word Sardis became associated with arrogance and overconfidence. It lived on ancient prestige, not realistically adapting to ongoing challenges.
Revelation 3:1-6 (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.
Revelation says Sardis had a name. Sardis had the outward look. They had a form of religion, but they had no spiritual life. They were dead. Why?
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
We can deny the power of God through many means, including failing to see God’s guidance in our daily lives, hypocrisy, any religious form we invent, failing to pray as if we believe God has power He will use on our behalf, failing to study so the Word of God lives within us and empowers us, failing to grow, or just plain refusing to live God’s way. To be alive one has to be connected with the Source of life and with daily nourishment. A branch cut off from a tree will die.
Ancient Israel forsook the Fountain of Living Waters. They eventually turned up their noses at God’s Food, despising the Spiritual Manna. They took God and His daily Presence for granted. And, they complained bitterly about where the Pillar of Cloud and Fire led them through Moses. Brethren, bitterness defiles. Let us take heed!
Hebrews 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
Many in the Sardis Church in Revelation had defiled their garments. They were very complacent, relying on “reputation” alone. They were told to “be watchful,” because they were not on guard. They had not properly built on the Rock of their Salvation. When Believers build on the sayings of God, our Rock, what is built will last! When Believers are connected to the Source of Life and continue to seek God’s will in every circumstance, they will be ready and alive to meet whatever challenges appear.
John 15:7 If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Brethren, when we abide in Christ, we will be alive. May God bless us with constant contact with Him. May God bless us that we abide in His presence and that His Word abides in us. And, may God grant us speedy answers to our prayers.
Ben Faulkner
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