Sardis was the capital of the Lydian Empire, and very wealthy.
Sardis was conquered by Alexander the Great in 334 BC, and 129 BC was given to the Romans by the last Greek king of the area.
Sardis was very cosmopolitan, including with its religion. Under Roman rule it was a religious mixing pot, adopting the Roman pagan religion as well as others, including Judaism and Christianity.
The Synagogue, which was supposed to be a holy place of worship to the One True God, had become adulterated through compromise. Other archaeological evidence throughout Sardis supports the idea that the Christian church in Sardis also fell into compromise.
Either way, Jesus is not impressed with them – The Church of Sardis is dead.
The Gutenberg Press democratized access to the Bible in 1455, setting the scene for Martin Luther to ignite the Reformation.
During the following 350 years, from 1517 – to 1879 different branches of Protestantism emerged,
each forming a new denomination, with a rich history that they are known for
Over time the passion for righteousness that drove the reformation had faded into denominationalism. From 1948 liberal theology swept through the mainline denominations.
The Church in Sardis became nominal as a result of trying to fit in with the Roman culture
By the end of the Reformation, the denominational churches had become nominal
The mainline denominational churches are characterised as having lost focus on God by trying
to fit into society and remain relevant, just like Sardis, at the expense of being a light to the world.
Jesus admonishes church of Sardis, and the churches of the denominational period,
as lifeless, Spiritless.
Commendation: He has nothing good to say about it.
As with the denominations today, the church of Sardis knows what they should do – they have the scriptures, as we have the Bible.
Jesus is warning them, and us, to be watchful against the corruption that is trying to sneak in, suffocate, and steal our focus from Jesus. He will come back suddenly to fetch His people, and we must be ready. If we are ready then we will go to be with Him.
The only thing that matters is our personal relationship with Jesus.
Loving Him and living for Him as He teaches us in His word.
In the final judgement, the Book of Life will be used to judge those who have died. Everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life will be thrown into Hell.
Jesus, in his infinite grace and mercy is offering another chance to the people of Sardis,
and those who find themselves in a dead Church –repent and turn back to the truth of the Gospel, and a real, living relationship with Jesus.
• Watch! Be vigilant! Hold fast to the truth in the Word of God.
• Overcome! Make sure that your relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in your life.
• Don’t be a nominal Christian – Make sure you have a real, living relationship with God.
How Is your relationship with God?
We read at the start of the reformation that “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
God’s desires a real, loving relationship with you.
He loves you so much that Jesus came to earth to die.
For you!
So that He could have an eternal relationship with you.
He loves you, and desires you to love Him too.
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