Tag: Sardis

15.o. “Do not marvel at this”

John 5:25  “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

Ephesians 2:1     And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

Ephesians 2:5    even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved

Revelation 3:1   “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Jesus had already explained that one who lives can hear His word, believe, and have everlasting life. Now He adds that one day even the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and be raised again.  He said do not be astonished or surprised by what I am telling you. While we are breathing and have the appearance of life we can still be dead spiritually.  When a person understands this they will make a choice to believe in or deny Jesus Christ.  To believe (clings too, relies on, and trusts) in Him they are born again and alive in Christ.  They rely on the words of Christ.  They understand they are separated from this new life because of their sin, no matter how good they outwardly appear to live.  They understand the need for redemption.  They understand the need for forgiveness.  They understand the need to repent and turn away from their old life. The Holy Spirit indwells them in this new life to guide, lead, instruct, and encourage them in the grace, love, mercy, will, purposes, and glory of God the Father through Jesus Christ.

When a person does not understand how they are spiritually dead, even though they are still breathing, they will make a choice to deny Jesus Christ. Though they have the appearance of being alive they are dead.  They choose to deny their sin, the glory and power of God, and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.  It is in this denial they are dead while they live.

Jesus also says that a time is coming when those who are in the grave will hear his voice and be reunited with their spirit.  This resurrection with the spirit and body will happen with all who have ever been alive.  Some to the resurrection of life and some to the resurrection of judgment.  Those who trust and believe in Jesus Christ may experience a physical death of the flesh but they will be resurrected alive to be with Christ forevermore throughout eternity.  Those who deny Jesus Christ will experience a physical death of the flesh and will be resurrected to judgment, torment, and separation from God for eternity.  This is the second death.  This death is not an end, but it is an eternal death where there is total awareness of judgment, torment, and separation from God for eternity.  We may experience a peaceful or traumatic physical death but this sting of physical death is nothing compared to the second death of those who choose to deny Jesus Christ.

Oh that the mystery of this would be made aware in full understanding in our hearts, minds, and souls.

6.g. People who have not soiled their garments,

Revelation 3:4   Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Isaiah 52:1    Awake, awake, put on your strength, O Zion; put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city; for there shall no more come into you the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Isaiah 59:6   Their webs will not serve as clothing; men will not cover themselves with what they make. Their works are works of iniquity, and deeds of violence are in their hands.

Isaiah 61:10   I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaiah 64:6     We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Jude 1:23    save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Luke 21:36    But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

We read of those who have not soiled their garments.  They walk in a way worthy of Jesus Christ and what He has done and is doing.  They conquered any fleshly desire to follow others in false teaching.  Do you ever wonder if your garments (your works, faith, thoughts, and words) are soiled?  Do you wonder if you have adopted what is culturally acceptable and are living in filthy garments before the Lord?  Do you think about what is clean and acceptable?  Do you think about doing what is worthy of the price that was paid for your sins?

Soft living, comfortable living, self-centered self-reliant living, and neglecting God’s Word are no help in keeping your garments unsoiled.  We would do well to be less influenced by the world and what it has to offer and be ever seeking and desiring to walk worthy of Jesus Christ.  Who would want your bride to come to the wedding in a dirty and messed up wedding dress?  The church (each of us) is the bride and we should want our garments to reflect our love and devotion to Jesus Christ the groom.

6.e. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.

Revelation 3:1  “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you.

Sardis was rebuked with “you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.” We see a similar warning as Isaiah 29:13-14; And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”   Sardis Christians were called dead.  It is like they were being told you have a very nice and beautiful casket but what is inside is nothing but dead bones of what used to be alive. They were physically alive and spiritually dead.  Paul said this to the Christians in Corinth “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready”   The problem was for these Christians in Sardis and Corinth and, as well, each of us today, they died spiritually inside and were not even aware or conscience of the fact they were dying.  How does a person get to this state in their lives?  They stop living to humbly serve, honor, glorify, follow, need, trust, rely on, and obey God.  The word of God has become void in their lives. They have shut their ears to hear the Holy Spirit speak truth into their lives.  We do well to examine ourselves and hear these words of Jesus Christ.  The activity and ability to hear and act on the Holy Spirit leading dies when neglect and complacency of God’s Word are present in our lives.  This very well may be the final warning for some.  Take heed and repent.  Turn back to Christ and walk worthy of Him.