Church at Sardis: Promise, Prophetic, Application
"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelation 3:5,6 - King James Version)
Like each of the seven letters, Jesus ends with a promise to those who are truly His. They will wear white robes. Their names are written in the book of life. When they appear in heaven before the judgment throne, Jesus will claim them as belonging to Him.
Some believe that this letter represents the period in church history called the Protestant Reformation. This covers the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The State Church had declined completely into ritual and tradition. There was little true Christianity to be found within it. However, there were a few faithful born again believers both outside and inside the State Church. Those outside struggled under persecution. Those inside unsuccessfully sought reform. Many eventually came out and began their own movements. Many heard the command of Jesus to awake out of sleep.
This letter should encourage us to examine our heart. We can fool people into thinking we are righteous and godly. However, God cannot be fooled. Christ looks into your heart.
How is your relationship with God? Have you given Him your life? Are you truly seeking to obey Him day by day? Do you spend time with your Lord every day?
Often the best clue to our spiritual growth is our quiet time. If we do not find time on a regular basis to be with God and to think about Him, to listen to what He would say to us and to tell Him what we feel, then our relationship with Him is probably dying. We may go through all the motions but inside we need reviving.
Like each of the seven letters, Jesus ends with a promise to those who are truly His. They will wear white robes. Their names are written in the book of life. When they appear in heaven before the judgment throne, Jesus will claim them as belonging to Him.
Some believe that this letter represents the period in church history called the Protestant Reformation. This covers the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
The State Church had declined completely into ritual and tradition. There was little true Christianity to be found within it. However, there were a few faithful born again believers both outside and inside the State Church. Those outside struggled under persecution. Those inside unsuccessfully sought reform. Many eventually came out and began their own movements. Many heard the command of Jesus to awake out of sleep.
This letter should encourage us to examine our heart. We can fool people into thinking we are righteous and godly. However, God cannot be fooled. Christ looks into your heart.
How is your relationship with God? Have you given Him your life? Are you truly seeking to obey Him day by day? Do you spend time with your Lord every day?
Often the best clue to our spiritual growth is our quiet time. If we do not find time on a regular basis to be with God and to think about Him, to listen to what He would say to us and to tell Him what we feel, then our relationship with Him is probably dying. We may go through all the motions but inside we need reviving.
posted by David Frank Wilson | 10:25 AM
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