Revelation 3:1-6

5. Sardis.

Vs. 1-6. Sardis, the capital of Lydia, the citadel of the world famed Croesus, has fulfilled the prophecy that "the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish," Sardis and ruin are synonyms. Sardis was a church well nigh apostate when John wrote. This is the church which, in Dr. Scofield's scheme, represents the "Protestant Reformation." Is Protestantism apostate? Is this age degenerate till there is no hope of betterment, and nothing to be expected from the Christian church?

A writer in the Century Magazine of 1921 says: "The muckraking of the pulpit and the pew is the crying need of this age." Dr. Scofield flaps the raven's wing, and the Century Magazine discloses the venom of an enemy.

But Sardis was sadly degenerate. No conflict is discovered with foes within or without. The church had ceased to witness sufficiently to excite the opposition of the enemy. There was no occasion to persecute a church that had given up her testimony.

Observe that the city that had an apostate church is conspicuous for its sad and silent ruins. Therefore that civihzation will perish that does not maintain the church in its purity. The city or commonwealth or nation that neglects or abandons the church and its worship of God has doom written across its face. But there was sufficient life left in Sardis to merit an exhortation and warning. "Hold fast and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee." God's judgments are swift and unexpected. "The feet of the avenging deities are shod with wool."

But there were a few faithful "even in Sardis." God does not leave himself without a witness, and the gracious Lord does not overlook the faithful few among the many apostate. Their names are in "the book of life", and "they shall walk with me in white."

Christian life and character are possible in difficult places. Let no Christian give over his effort because of the unfriendliness of his environment; nor fail in faith and faithfulness when all is dark and discouraging.