REVELATION 3:1-6

Of the elements in these letters, in the case of Sardis, the only commendation is that they have a good reputation and a few of their members remained godly.

It was once an important city (“as rich as Croesus”), but at the time of writing was only a small village. William Ramsay says that the church was like the city “whose name was almost synonymous with pretensions unjustified, promise unfulfilled, appearance without reality, confidence which heralded ruin.”

There is language in each of the seven letters especially meaningful to each city: in the case of Sardis it includes “come like a thief in the night” (alluding to their destruction) and “white garments” (the principle industries were dyes and textiles).

A. Archaeology in the area indicates how Jews and Christians may have brought their beliefs into a pagan culture.

1. Christian and Jewish symbols were found in their shops.

2. There was a synagogue built inside the gymnasium, and a church built inside of the temple to Artemis.

3. A public fountain was located inside of a synagogue.

4. Pagan symbols with dual meanings were found inside a synagogue.

B. How does this differ from bringing pagan culture into the church? Consider the danger of synchretism.

C. What would Christ say about today's churches? About your own congregation? What criteria would he use to determine if we are dead or alive? Are these different from society's criteria for success?