The next church addressed is the church in Sardis. To give you a little history on the city, it was known for its wealth and splendor. The city was economically popular in the market of woolen, textile, and the jewelry industry. The wool they had was reproduced into garments they were known for making. Its location was seen by the city as impregnable with it being on a hill surrounded by steep cliffs with one way of approach. It sounds similar to the fortress of Masada in which the Romans struggled hard to infiltrate in their pursuit of the few Jews who escaped from Jerusalem during the Jewish Revolt in AD. 70. However, the characteristic God uses from chapter 1 in His address to the church is of the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. The seven stars represent the messengers of the churches (1:4, 16; 3:1). The praise that they received as a church was that they were not all unclean. There were some whose garments were still unsoiled (3:4). A soiled garment referred to one polluted or stained. In ancient times, white was associated with holiness (Isa. 1:18). These robes were reserved for Christ (Matt. 17:2), holy angels (Matt. 28:3), and His church (Rev. 19:7-8, 14). There were some who remained pure and holy, but they were for the most part viewed as spiritually dead (3:1). In fact, the church is even encouraged to strengthen what’s left of it before it completely dies off (3:2). Their deeds were not in vain because they received the reputation of being dead, but were rather incomplete. John was communicating to them that God wanted them to strengthen or restore the dying remains of the church. God’s charge to them was to wake up and be on guard or He will come against them like a thief in the night (3:3). This is not referring to Christ’s second coming, but of the swift, unexpected destruction of the church being addressed. Paul told the Thessalonians that the rebellion has to precede the second coming (1 Thess. 5:2) and that rebellion isn’t until the Great Tribulation which is after the church age (Rev. 4-19). The promise to those who heed to His warnings to change would remain in white garments and their names will not be blotted from the book of life (3:5). This is not a reference to losing salvation. God has seen all of our days before we existed (Ps.139:16) and in eternity past, He wrote all the names of His elect in that book never to be blotted out (Mal. 3:16-17; Rev. 17:8). In the city of Sardis, the officials would blot out names from their rolls of folks whom were deemed undesirable. The church in Sardis would have understood what this statement meant. In other words, those whose garments were dirty were undesirable to God as opposed to those whom were holy and pure. Nonetheless, they all still belong to Him. Evidence of that is in 3:3 where John tells them to remember what they have received and heard and repent. Also, the idea that their garments were soiled implies that they were previously white (3:4). As in each address, John ends each with the saying in verse 6; let he who has an ear hear. Within the body of Christ, are you amongst those whose spiritual garments are dirty or stained, or amongst the ones in white who are holy and pure? The fortunate part is that there are opportunities on both sides. If you are holy, you should be shameless, confident, and able to walk in the light before others (Prov. 28:1; Matt. 5:14-16; Jn. 3:19-21). This person should be ready to help strengthen those, in love, who are spiritually dirty (3:2; Gal. 6:1-2; Heb. 12:12-17). If you are the spiritually dirty or soiled, be honest about your current condition and be humble and ready to receive help in being strengthened within the body of Christ. Deal with the sin in your life. God will only grace the humble and is against the proud (1 Pet 5:5-7; Prov. 28:13). Don’t allow yourself to remain dirty with sin which leaves you spiritually dead. Instead allow yourself to be clean so that, as believers, we may enjoy fellowship with Christ.
