Since there are only three churches left, might as well post them all this day, morning noon and this evening, and then we can get to the heart of this prophecy once more.
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 = "red ones" or "The escaping one", or "Those who come out". a resurrected church. all of these apply to this church
This letter starts out as similar to the first letter to Ephesus, he who have the seven Spirits and the seven stars that walk among the seven golden candlesticks. Since we are introduce to the Seven Spirits, Lets clear up something here concerning seven golden candlesticks that he walk among. This information is very important. While our Lord was standing in the midst of "Seven Candlesticks", or "LAMPSTANDS", as was in the church of Ephesus, it is important to understand this. a candlestick requires a light such as a candle, which is self-consuming, while a "Lampstand" is for the support of a lamp whose wick instead of burning away is fed from the oil within, (read both parts again). And we know what or who the oil is, the Holy Spirit. are you understanding this in reference to a parable?…… yes, the ten virgins. five was wise, and five foolish. are we beginning to see this church in us now?. One will see this in us as we go on.
Their works was in Name only and was dead in deeds/Works. to make it simple they boasted in what they did, but had no works to show for it. Example, James 2:14-17 "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?:15 "If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 "And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone”. Other words without the Spirit we can do nothing. See John 15:1-8.
Revelation 3:2 "Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
Be watchful? as with the parable of the ten virgins, they all slumbered and slept. But when the call came that the bridegroom cometh, their lamps was trimmed. what was to be strengthen? Answer, “perfect Love”, the Love of God and fellow man. And what was ready to die? Answer, the LAW of the old testament system, supportive scriptures, Hebrews 7:11 & 12 "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law”.
Hebrews 8:13 "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away”. so again the Lord Jesus is calling his church out of Judaism from under the old covenant, into the new covenant of grace, which Love is perfect in all things. 1 John 4:17-21 "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 "We love him, because he first loved us. 20 "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 "And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also".
Revelation 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.
Remember, what you received, and heared? the true gospel. 1 Corinthians 15:1 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 "By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures”. HOLD FAST, don’t turn back unto the old ways of Judaism. Supportive scripture, 2 Peter 2:20-22 "For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire”. as with the ten virgins be ready, be clean in the Spirit..
Revelation 3:4 "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.
There is hope for this church, as with any church, for there are some who do walk after the righteousness of God and have not soiled or defiled their garment, and they walk, or live in true righteousness with God, supportive scripture, Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit”. here the seven Spirit is the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the oil in the lampstand, which the true christian walk by. And the other was told to repent. and if so, 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new”. for God don’t remember your past any more. So there was two groups of christian in the church of Sardis. 1. those who were “DEAD” in works, and if repented, can wear white and 2. those who not soiled their garments at all, wearing white. just as some churches today. some have one foot in the church and the other in the world.
Revelation 3:5 "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
by repenting, those with dead works, can now wear the white raiment of righteousness. this repenting of those who had dead works, their name will not be blotted out from the book of life, for, 1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.. What a church. Those who comes out of darkness into the marvellous light.
Conclusion: Abide in me and I in you
this fits this church to the tee, The escaping one, or Those who come out. Or the RED ONES, red meaning fire, who was pluck out of the fire. Zechariah 3:2 "And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?”.
Revelation 3:6 "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Follow the Spirit,the Lord Jesus who is speaking to them.
THE CONDEMNATION: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and ART DEAD.
THE COUNSEL: 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.
THE WARNING: 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.
THE PROMISE: 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. 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.
PICJAG.