Revelation 3:1; Sardis
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.
The 5thchurch, our 4thsermon, as we take time, to consider the character of the 7 churches in Revelation 2-3 that gives to us a representative picture of the church in the church age. What does a Christian look like from God’s eyes in Christ’s church!
We live in this age of grace where God reaches out to us through the good news of His Son but this time will not last forever. There is an endpoint. The consummation comes when Jesus Christ will return to receive His church to heaven. The invigorated church eagerly awaits this moment of truth.
Matthew 24:40 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 41Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. 42Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
The world may scorn but the prove of the truth will be the time of judgment and separation. We are now in Rev. 3. By the time we reach Rev. 4, the church would have been raptured taken to heaven. And our worship will be in the very presence of God. Dear brethren, “Are you ready?”
The church in Sardis was not ready. At least, from our reading, we see that there was, only a small number of true Christians there at the church in Sardis. The day comes when the sheep are separated from the goats, a term our Lord used to describe the true believers and the professing but not truly born again churchgoers.
Matthew 25:6-13 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
May His people be ready! Amen.