The Message to Sardis (2)

Christ's Warning

The history of Sardis was a perfect illustration of the timeless message Jesus delivered to His people: “Don't go to sleep. Remain spiritually alert!” Even though the Sardians had enjoyed great success, their failure to remain alert had twice led to military defeat—they were overtaken by surprise attacks. Noting the similarities between this city's history and the congregation's spiritual condition, Jesus said, “You are alive, but you are dead” (Revelation 3:1).

Jesus then warned them and us today to “hold fast and repent” (verse 3) of spiritual drowsiness. And how did Jesus say this should be done? He twice referred to watching—“be watchful” (verse 2) and “if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief” (verse 3).

The Meaning of “Watch”

The Greek word gregoreo, translated “watchful” and “watch” in these two verses, “is used (a) of 'keeping awake,'… (b) of 'spiritual alertness'” ( Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, 1985, article “Watch (noun and verb), Watchers, Watchful, Watchings”). This word thus combines the sense of being physically awake with spiritual discernment. It is a spiritual condition of readiness and being alert. Those who do not maintain this approach will be surprised by Christ's return. Just as a thief is able to steal from unsuspecting victims, Christ's second coming will surprise those who are not spiritually alert (verse 3).

Earlier in His earthly ministry, Jesus addressed this concept via several parables. After listing some of the signs of His return (Matthew 24:3-31), He likened these to the signs of a fig tree identifying the season of the year. When leaves began to appear, everyone knew summer was near. His point in relation to His return was: “So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” (verse 33).

Jesus then explained that His return would surprise many people just as the Flood had done in Noah's day (verses 36-41). His advice? “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (verses 42-44).

The parable about 10 virgins also illustrates this important principle (Matthew 25:1-13). Five were wise and five were foolish. All went out to meet Christ, the bridegroom, but only five had the foresight to take sufficient oil for their lamps. Because Jesus was delayed, “they all slumbered and slept” (verse 5). When the announcement came of His coming, the foolish had to go buy oil for their lamps and only the wise who had made ample preparations were admitted to the wedding supper.

Jesus' moral to the story? “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (verse 13).

Like the parable of the 10 virgins, the message to Sardis shows the importance of spiritual preparedness. If we go to sleep spiritually, become lackadaisical or lose our zeal for God's way of life, we must repent and become spiritually alert once again.

Christ's instructions to Sardis emphasize this lesson. Some of the members in Sardis had become lethargic—lacking a spiritual focus—and Jesus warned them to “be watchful” so they would be prepared for His return (verse 2).

To be contd.


God bless you all.