SARDIS in earlier times was situated on an inaccessible hill, overlooking the Hermus valley, and was the proud capital of Lydia. Its people were arrogant and over-confident. Because of their situation they thought they were impregnable, because the only access to the city was via a narrow strip of land. All around the city were steep cliffs. However in 549 BC and in 218 BC assaults were made on Sardis via an oblique crack in the cliff face which could be navigated by experienced climbers. By the time when Revelation was wriiten the city had moved from this original place because it was two small for the developing population, but the self-confidence and arroagance still remained, and this self-confidence had also permeated the church in Sardis. The church had sunk into spiritual stupor. Outwardly everything looked fine, but the spiritual life had evaporated. The lamp-stand of Sardis was burning very faintly and was about to be extinguished. It is to this situation that Christ writes through John this letter to Sardis. Each of these seven churches to which these letters are written represent church conditions all down the ages, and the condition of Sardis as portrayed in this letter is one seen from time to time all down history. This is why these letters are so important and searching for the church today.

SELF-DESIGNATION.

Again the self-designation of Christ in verse 1 is so applicable to the condition Christ found in Sardis. The seven spirits held by Christ refer the the Holy Spirit (the seven-fold Spirit). The seven stars refer to the angels of the churches, that is the ministers or messengers to the churches, as we have revealed in Chapter 1 verse 20. So Christ reveals himself as the one who is both the source of all life in his church, and the one who brings life when his church seek such life. In the deadness in the life of the church in Sardis, Christ reveals himself as the hope of Sardis if they will but heed his word.

CHRIST'S CONDEMNATION.

The condemnation of the church in Sardis was that it had a reputation of being alive, but in fact it was dead. Jesus had not found their deeds complete in the sight of God. The picture here is of a church which outwardly appeared to be fine. Its worship and activity all was carried on in the usual way, with all its organisation intact. But this was only skin deep. Like the Jewish church when Christ lived on the earth, its spiritual life was all but gone. Devotion to Christ, love for Christ, service for Christ, holding fast to the truth, etc. had evaporated. All that remained was the shell.

CHRIST'S EXHORTATION.

The call of Jesus was 'wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die' and 'remember; therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it and repent.' The way forward for a church like Sardis is to wake up. To wake up is to see the formalism that has pervaded the church. Appreciate there is no real life, and repent of this deadness. The trouble with churches in this sad state is that they are blind to the deadness in the life of the church.

The way forward is remember the gospel � what they had received and heard, and obey it. Revival in the church is always marked by a return to the Gospel. There is a renewed conviction of sin, which returns to Christ as the only remedy and salvation from sin, an Christ is seen as the precious Saviour of sinners. In this experience deep devotion and love for Christ returns.

CHRIST'S WARNING AND THREAT.

The warning of Christ is most serious and fearsome. Christ says if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief in the night, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. The picture hear is that Christ will come suddenly in judgement, and remove the candlestick of Sardis forever. In other words the church would cease to exist. History is littered with examples of churches disappearing in this way.

CHRIST'S ENCOURAGEMENT.

Christ's encouragement is wonderful and heart-warming. In every church like Sardis there is always a small remnant who have not spoiled their clothes with this deadness. While such few live in the situation of deadness, there is a struggle to remain alive, but Christ's encouragement here gives strength to hold on. They will walk with Christ. They will be dressed in white symbolising purity. Christ will never blot their name out of the 'book of life'. Christ will acknowledge them before God the Father and the hosts of heaven.

The book of life is mentioned in Revelation 20: 12. The situation described is the last judgement. The books are opened and everyone will be judged from what is recorded in the books. However there is another book, the book of life. In this book are recorded all the names of those who have put their trust in Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and remained faithful to him throughout their lives. These are not judged. Those named in the book of life are saved from the Lake of fire (Hell).