CHURCH ARTICLE | Brian V. Sullivan | Bancroft, Ontario
modified, via Alfonso Cerezo | Pixabay
After issuing the great commission in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus stated: “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:20b). This was not just a vague promise but a reality that is evident in every one of the Letters to the Seven churches of Asia in Revelation Two and Three. The same Christ who said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18) made it clear “the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (after shedding His blood on the cross, and dying; He would conquer death (Revelation 1:18; Acts 2:29-33, 36) and be able to establish His church or people (purchased with His blood, Acts 20:28). After being seen of witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), He would ascend on high to sit at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 8:1) and would exercise headship over the church or people of God by observing what they were doing and how they were conducting themselves.
One cannot appreciate the extent of His observation unless you carefully view the introduction to Christ that Revelation One provides. There is no suggestion of weakness or inability attributed to Him in Revelation One. He may have been dead because of the cross, but He is alive forever more by His resurrection (Revelation 1:18; Romans 4:23-25; Romans 1:3-4). Take the time to read again Revelation 1:12-20 and see clearly the resurrected Christ. Revelation, chapter One gives us a description of Him in His new role as ‘high priest’ and ‘king’ after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:21-22; Zechariah 6:12-13; both King and Priest on the same throne in heaven, a throne that was His at His ascension, Daniel 7:13-14). Revelation One, Verse 20 has Him explaining what the “seven stars” are, and what the golden lampstands represent. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. Christ has them in “His right hand” (place of power or authority). As we study each of these churches, we see Christ’s awareness of not just the hype they might have created but the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of their application of truth in the work they are doing, and the influence they are having for good or bad. Each of the seven churches is accountable for what they are doing or not doing. Christ is not looking for the churches to receive accolades from the world but is concerned about how true and faithful they are to His word and will. At the close of each letter is an earnest appeal from the Master to change what is faltering, or to increase what is lacking, or to add more to what He has approved of in them with promised rewards for their compliance, or consequence for failing to do so.
The Church at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6)
Each of the seven letters begins with what might be called a “self-identification” of Christ.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, “These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (Revelation 3:1, NKJV).
According to Revelation 1:16, Christ “had in His right hand seven stars”, and Revelation 1:20 identifies “the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches”. Each of the seven churches has such an angel (2:1, Ephesus; 2:8, Smyrna; 2:12: Pergamos; 2:18: Thyatira; 3:1, Sardis; 3:7: Philadelphia; and 3:14: Laodicea). You can consult various commentators and see that some see “the angel of the church” as representing a messenger, or possibly the general spirit or disposition of the church, some may suggest something else. Regardless, the letters were each addressed to the “angel” of the church(es) and the message would be delivered and not delayed.
He does not view them as a collective of the churches of Asia Minor but as individual local churches in their respective areas. In the Cogdell-Turner debate (Turner being brother Robert Turner) over the work of the church, brother Turner gave a definition of the Universal or General sense of the church (Matthew 16:18-19; Acts 2:47; etc.): “the universal church is a brotherhood not a church-hood”. In simple words, the universal church is made up of the saved the world over and of all time, and speaks of a relationship we have first with God and His Son, and then with every other soul who has responded to the same gospel in the same way (1 John 1:5-7; Ephesians 3:6). It is not some unit made up of local churches under one banner. The local church (such as those addressed in these seven letters to the seven churches) is the Lord’s people in a geographical location in a country, a city, or an area. Each local church is subject to the same head Christ, and each has a mandate of the Lord to carry out. Jesus did not address them as part of a collective but as individual churches. They were given the responsibility to teach/preach the gospel, to edify the members, and to help the needy saints as prescribed in His will. Each local church is expected to conduct themselves in harmony with His design and purpose.
At Revelation 3:1, Christ describes Himself with these words:
“These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars” (NKJV).
A similar expression is used in connection with Christ in Revelation 5:6, and we would conclude that it is a way of describing the complete or perfect Holy Spirit “sent out into all the earth”. Seven has long been recognized as the number of perfection or completeness, the same Spirit Jesus had declared,
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father; the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me” (John 15:26-27).
We have identified the “seven stars” as representing the seven local churches of Asia Minor.
At Revelation 3:1c, we find this evaluation from the Master Himself: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead” (NKJV). The first thought that comes to this writer’s mind is a text in 1 Timothy 5:6 that speaks of a young widow who has chosen a life contrary to faithful service to God, and Paul states: “But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives” (NKJV). She had left the spiritual exercises of life (trusting in God, continuing in prayers and supplications “night and day”, v. 5) and turned to the pursuit of the world’s pleasure bringing about her spiritual death. When teaching this in a class in Southern Ontario, I inserted my thoughts about it, the church at Sardis was “a flickering candle, almost ready to die out.” They did not get there in one sudden jump, but they may have been deceived by the devil and lulled into accepting things on a line that was slightly different than truth and the Master did not sugar coat it or try to make them feel at ease. His appeal to them helps us grasp the reason for their present situation. Revelation 3:2:
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God” (NKJV).
What could have gone wrong? They shifted position from the truth (the word and will of God) to something else (Galatians 1:6-10: there is no other gospel). They had chosen their pathway rather than the more difficult but safer route of doing God’s will. They might have been like those in Matthew 7:21-23, who had much to boast of in their own accomplishments, their own plans, their own schemes of rethinking and looking for noteworthiness among men (‘prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name’; Christ’s answer to them was “I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness”).There is a serious warning for all of us in this letter to Sardis. A church (the people, Acts 5:11) could be together on the Lord’s Day. They could put a sign on the meeting house that declares it as a meeting place of the “So and So church of Christ” (Matthew 16:18; Revelation 2-3). However, if they no longer concern themselves with the will of God (Matthew 7:21-28; 2 John 9; Colossians 3:17), they could fail to be what they claim. They may have lost their enthusiasm for the gospel, they may have been distracted by other denominations around them and their supposed success and their emphasis on a modified approach to reach many more people, they may have become disheartened, discouraged, or demeaned. However they got there, Jesus declares without equivocation, “You have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” Jesus offers a simple correction if they can set aside their pride and defensive stride and apply it.
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die” (Revelation 3:2a).
Be watchful: open your eyes to what you are doing, examine those things in Scripture to see if they are approved of God (Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11; and Ephesians 5:14-17). Strengthen the things which remain. Consider what “work” you are doing and eliminate the things without authority (that meet with man’s approval and applause but are not of God.) Without a change of direction even the few good things that remain will soon die out.
“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.” (Revelation 3:3)
Remember is good advice in God’s service. Look back at the time when you first heard and followed the Christ when the gospel was so very real, powerful and effective in your own life. You wanted to tell everyone you could meet about what you had found. At that time, being part of Christ’s people was what you desired, and what you were persuaded you should do. That enthusiasm inspired you to find others, and to tell others. The Master declares: “hold fast” (don’t let go of the gospel or the work assigned for His people both individually and collectively).
Collectively (as part of the local church): Worship and service that includes the work of Evangelism (preach the gospel); work of Edification (build up and strengthen the saints); and Benevolence (for the needy saints). Individually (being a Christian at all times): Being an example in the community and in the church. Sharing the gospel, strengthening our brethren, and using the blessings of God to help others in the church and outside of the church, as we have ability and opportunity. Christ calls for them to repent (recognition [realize where we are], regret [godly sorrow over our sin], resolve [change of mind or attitude], reform [change of life], and return [go back to the Father]; based on the prodigal in Luke 15:11-24).
The seriousness of their situation is evident in the words in the final part of Revelation 3:3.
“Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you” (NKJV).
This is not the time to let things slide. Christ who observes them, has given them a clear warning. Watch means looking carefully at your conduct, your works, your relationship with Christ’s will and purpose. I will come like a thief (there will be no further announcement, just arrival). If, and when Christ comes, you will know it. He has the right to command, and the ability to remove their lampstand.
In Revelation 3:4, Jesus reveals something else He is aware of.
“You have a few names in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”
Some of those at Sardis that the Lord is aware of are still pursuing Christ and the gospel properly. They have not defiled their garments (spiritual clothing: holiness) by choosing to follow faithfully even when others were going astray). It may be that they hoped they could help the others return to faithfulness by their continued presence, but that was not a place or role for the weak or immature in Christ. They will be rewarded by being able to “walk with Me in white (purity, cleansing by Christ’s blood) for they are worthy (they have proven their faithfulness and their steadfastness). This evaluation is by Christ not their own measurement or thoughts.
The reward that is promised for overcoming ought to stir them on. Revelation 3:5:
“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels” (NKJV).
The white garments hold with them the idea of purity (Revelation 7:13-14) through Christ. Christ has the ability to “blot” names from “the Book of Life” (see Luke 10:20; Revelation 13:8; 20:15; 21:22-27). To have your name confessed before the Father and His angels is to find acceptance and to be counted among the people of God (cf. Matthew 10:32-33). The letter closes with an appeal for all to listen (and learn). These letters were not supplied for us just to give us some reading material, they are intended to show us the reality of our relationship with God through His Son, the importance of what the local church does in service to God, and the reason why we ought to stay the course and not try to re-invent the approach to the gospel or the church that Jesus said He would build. He is watching, evaluating and aware of what we do. May God help us learn to apply His word and will all our days on earth that we might remain in His grace, mercy and love.
Do we have an ear to hear?
_____________________________
GROW magazine | April 2026 PDF
a work of the Limestone Church of Christ
Study Links: YouVersion | Bible Gateway | Blue Letter Bible
