“ARE YOU SERVING IN A DEAD CHURCH?” Lesson 187

The Book of Revelation assures us that God knows our reputation! The Church of Sardis was known to be alive but God said they were dead (Rev. 3:1-6). Sardis was the capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, what now is known as Western Turkey. Lydia was a flourishing empire, home of dreaded warriors on horse and chariot and their streams seemed to run with gold. Although archaeologists have not found hoards of gold or ruins of splendor palaces, they do believe they have established that the gold of ancient Sardis was no legend. The finds have proven that these ancient people were able to refine the gold and silver and even mint them into coins. Ruins reveal magnificent baths and gymnasiums and fine jewelry. All of this showing great wealth, power and intelligence within a highly civilized society, ruled by King Croesus who was confident that no one could break through the fortress built high above the city. Cyrus, King of Persia and his army invaded the area and scaled the wall of the fortified city. Since Croesus was so certain that the city was safe he had no guards stationed along the walls. A small band of Persian soldiers were able to capture the entire fortress, in total defeat simply because the king’s self pride left him open to destruction by the enemy.

This is the background of the letters Christ dictated to John in the Book of Revelation. The Church of Sardis is rebuked for the same tragic lack of diligence that King Croesus displayed concerning his great city wall. Like Croesus, the Church thinks it is doing fine but risks being overcome by the enemy. God knows the true condition of each of His Churches, their future is in His hand and the truth is about to be exposed. The reference to being dead stems from the fact that the Church had ceased to be a witness for God and the Church of Jesus Christ. Although not a pagan worshipper, the cities around Sardis certainly were. A blind eye and deaf ear was turned to this idol worship because of some event that had impeded this Church’s progress and snuffed out their witness to those around them. Christ gives them a wake up call in Revelation 3:2, saying to strengthen what remains and is about to die. The Church has failed to be a light in the darkness but verse two would indicate the presence of the Holy Spirit still exists.

Here is another wake up call! Jesus Christ is speaking to every Church member, every Christian, every believer and every born again person living in this present world. Members of the Body of Christ are to remember what they have heard since the foundation of the Church and go back to being a witness of their salvation through the shed blood of Jesus. Christians are to obey the gospel and if we say we trust in Jesus for our salvation then live like it, showing a distinction from the world. We are to live lives of gratitude before God and reject the life the world offers that we have apparently been tolerating. We must once again become witnesses of Jesus Christ to those around us. We must repent of our lax, passive Christian state before Jesus comes again (Rev. 3:3). We must strive to be among “the few” who have not soiled our clothes and be worthy to walk with Him (Rev. 3:4-6).

That our Savior will acknowledge our names before His Father and His angels is the most glorious promise in the entire Book of Revelation. Sinners have their filthy rags removed and replaced by spotless garments provided by Christ Himself. These white garments reflect Christ’s righteousness and purity which is being worked into us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Our God s a jealous God who will not tolerate claiming the name of Christ and at the same time engage in worldly adultery and idolatry, avoiding proclaiming the gospel of Jesus. Christ’s Church is to be the light of the world not a place where its members make peace with the current fad of the age. We must not pat ourselves on the back, thinking we are alive when in fact, we are dead or dying, risking the judgment that was about to come upon Sardis. His Church is the place where all He has redeemed has gathered to hear His Word, to hear that our names are written in the Book of Life and that we are worthy of wearing the garments of white. Without these things we are not a Church but a building with no light! “He, who has an ear, let him hear”!