Revelation 3:1-6

Revelation 3:1-6

And write to the angel of the assembly in Sardis.  Thus says the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.  “I have known your works – that you have a reputation that you live.  And you are dead.  Become watchful and steadfast in the remaining things in that they were about to die.  For I have not found your works having been fulfilled in the presence of my God.  Therefore, remember how you have received and heard; and keep watch and repent!  If therefore you should not keep watch, I will come as a thief and you should surely not know which hour I will come upon you.  But you have a few names in Sardis who did not defile their garments, and they walk around in brilliance with me because they are worthy.  The one who conquers in this manner will be clothed in brilliant garments and I will surely not wipe their name away out of the book of life and I will confess their name in the presence of my Father and in the presence of his angels.  The one who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the assemblies!

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Once more we get a picture of the identity of God as we look at the words to the church in Sardis.  What is the identity?  The identity is the one who holds the spirits of the seven churches.  In other words, Jesus knows them intimately.  Jesus knows their identity.  They cannot hide from Him; He holds them in His hands!

How do you respond to the omnipotence of God?  How often do you think about the fact that God knows everything that happens?  How do you feel knowing that God knows you better than you know yourself?

Second Thought:

Next, we move to the place where Jesus offers up a word of compliment to the church.  There’s only one problem.  There is no compliment!  Jesus doesn’t offer anything to say that they are doing well.  Don’t overlook this.  God is not a God who is politically correct.  God doesn’t feel the need to compliment the people in Sardis just because He finds something nice to say about everyone else.  God values truth over being politically correct.  He gives the people of Sardis an honest reflection of themselves.

How do you feel about the fact that there are no words of compliment towards Sardis?  What do you think this truly means?

Third Thought:

As always, we now turn towards the critique and challenge.  Jesus begins ominously.  He says that they think they are alive, but they are really dead.  They have forgotten the faith.  They have not fulfilled their works.  However, in the challenge we do get a note of grace.  Not everyone in Sardis is dead.  There are a few undefiled people in Sardis.  If the rest of the people wake up, remember their faith, then they will be clothed in brilliant garments.  Those who do persevere in the faith will have their names written in the book of life and they will be remembered in the presence of the Father.  What an incredible moment of challenge.  What an incredible point of grace.  They haven’t been faithful so far.  They haven’t given God any reason to believe in them as a collective.  But God hasn’t given up on them anyways.  God still extends grace, mercy, and salvation to them.

Where have you received grace when you haven’t proven yourself faithful?  Where are you able to extend grace to others when they are not deserving?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 3:7-13