_SARDIS_ WAS THE CAPITAL OF THE GREAT ANCIENT KINGDOM OF LYDIA, WHICH WAS OVERTHROWN BY THE PERSIAN CYRUS. IT WAS THE RESIDENCE OF THE RICH KING CROESUS, WHOSE NAME HAS PASSED INTO. PROVERB. OF THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH WE KNOW NOTHING; BUT WE DO KNOW ON THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, THAT IT "HAD. NAME TO... [ Continue Reading ]
_PHILADELPHIA_ STOOD ABOUT TWENTY MILES FROM SARDIS AND WAS THE SECOND CITY IN IMPORTANCE IN THE PROVINCE OF LYDIA. IT IS FIRST MENTIONED IN REVELATION, AND THE PRAISES BESTOWED UPON THE CHURCH SHOW THAT IT WAS WORTHY OF. CITY OF _BROTHERLY LOVE._ THOUGH THE OLD NAME HAS BEEN LAID ASIDE BY THE TURKS... [ Continue Reading ]
_LAODICEA_ IS LAST NAMED. THE CITY WAS SITUATED ABOUT TWENTY MILES FROM EPHESUS, AND NEAR COLOSSE. THE CHURCH WAS HONORED WITH AN EPISTLE FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL. SEE COLOSSIANS 4:17. STILL, IT HAD FALLEN INTO THE BESETTING SIN OF CHURCHES AND HAD BECOME _LUKEWARM._ THIS SIN IS REBUKED IN THE SEVEREST... [ Continue Reading ]