Thesis 6: A Modern Letter To The Church of Sardis

This is Thesis 6 of the “End Times 95 Theses by The Two Witnesses of Revelation", a parallel of the work Martin Luther did hundreds of years ago. This thesis will expose the church of Sardis - a church that is overconfident in its salvation. Here are the previous theses for reference, which I recommend are read in order:

Introduction: An Empty Heart

Witness 1 and I experimented with a variety of churches before deciding to start our own ministry. There was a local church we attended, and we were with our family members. One of our family members had a child, and Witness 1 was aiding in the care of this child. He had to step out for a moment, and everything seemed fine. This is a common occurrence in church, after all, and most understand when a child is fussy and needs to be escorted to another place.

When he returned, one of the male elders approached Witness 1 in a reprimanding voice and told him he had "used the wrong door", it had disturbed the service, and not to do that again. Again, Witness 1 was helping with a child, and surely, they could have had some grace upon him for using the wrong exit door. I was watching, and it did not disrupt any of the service, this was a small church, with less than 20 members, and the statement just seemed completely absurd. There were no signs on the doors, and Witness 1's exit did not disrupt anything. It felt as though the man was just trying to feel superior or important, which does not exemplify Christian love.

We stopped attending soon after, obviously not soley for that reason, as there were many issues with the church. We forgive the man, of course. Still, while this specific situation may seem like a small thing to readers, I feel as though it exemplifies the "empty heart" that exists in the modern church of Sardis - Christians worried about using the wrong physical door instead of promoting the merciful, spiritual door of salvation. Like the Pharisees were worried about the rules and routines more than love, so too are modern Christians - even if they don’t see it that way.

The problem, then, with the Church of Sardis is that they don't commit any seemingly major crimes. They aren't worshiping false gods or even engaged in major sins. However, that it is why it is so difficult to address the church of Sardis. They don't think they are doing anything wrong, and they have a great reputation! To summarize, it is a prideful and complacent church.

We are living through the book of Revelation, and there is a special message to the churches of Revelation that many are ignoring, so I ask readers to examine themselves, the churches they attend, and the Christians around them to see if any of this applies.

Just to note, there are many perspectives on the churches of Revelation, but for the purpose of this thesis, it is important to examine what Scripture says and use Scripture in comparison to other Scripture in order to form full interpretations. People can always add their “wild” interpretations to Revelation, but I believe it was written in such a way that, though mysterious, we do not need to “overthink” what is being said. Now that we are living through the end times, the verses are coming alive and not as mysterious as they once seemed to Christians. This thesis may appear simple to some, but Revelation was not meant to be so complicated that we could not understand it. In fact, none of these theses are meant to be overly-complilcated, full of unnecessary hubris. Rather, they are meant to be understood by readers through prayer, discernment, and even fasting.

Today, I am writing this thesis to the Modern Revelation Church of Sardis. I believe many hearing or reading this word are part of this church, though, they of course will say, “That’s not me!” Let's remind ourselves, according to 2 Corinthians 13:5:

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

So, let us examine ourselves. Are we part of the church of Sardis and if so, what should we do about it?

The Church of Sardis

First, what is the church of Sardis? Why is it called that?

Sardis was an ancient capital of the Kingdom of Lydia, affluent and prosperous. To summarize, the Sardinian people were overconfident. Though they were wealthy and protected, they had overestimated their own protection and Sardis was overtaken and given entirely up to be pillaged. According to the linked article,

“Sardis means "those escaping" or "that which remains." The name, the message, and the subsequent history of the city and church, indicate a good start but a bad finish, a change for the worse. Sir William Ramsay calls Sardis "the city of death." Its history is just the opposite of that of Smyrna, which "was dead and is alive"; or is "the city of life." Sardis had "a name that thou lives, and art dead." Like Ephesus, the city and church of Sardis began with a glorious history and ended in a heap of ruins.”

Right now, Sardis is comparable to pretty much every Christian alive in Babylon. Nearly every single Christian believes they are protected, saved, and that they have nothing to worry about. This ties into the “once saved, always saved” doctrine, which has stopped Christians from growing and transforming.

Moreover, because of their blessings, safety, and perhaps, comfortable lives, they do not worry about anything. They are “overconfident” in their security and salvation with Christ. They will tell you, "I am blessed!"

I believe the following image exemplifies the emptiness the writer is feeling regarding the Church of Sardis, but they cannot quite pinpoint its root:

In one of my theses, I will talk about church music, but for now, let us dig deeper into Scripture to understand why this church feels so empty.

According to Revelation 3:1, using the concordance:

3:1 And 2532 unto the angel 32 of the church 1577 in 1722 Sardis 4554 write 1125 5657; These things 3592 saith 3004 5719 he that hath 2192 5723 the seven 2033 Spirits 4151 of God 2316, and 2532 the seven 2033 stars 792; I know 1492 5758 thy 4675 works 2041, that 3754 thou hast 2192 5719 a name 3686 that 3754 thou livest 2198 5719, and 2532 art 1488 5748 dead 3498.

Here is a more easily comprehensible version:

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.

The “Seven Spirits of God and seven stars” have come to examine the Church of Sardis, and they were “weighed and found wanting."

The church is lifeless, dead, and like a corpse.

According to this source,

“Jesus begins his address to the church by proclaiming His deity. He declares that He possesses the Seven Spirits of God. There are two noteworthy aspects to this statement.
Firstly, we should take note of the use of the word seven. In Scriptures, seven generally symbolizes perfection or completion. Why would this description be particularly appropriate in the context of the Sardinian church? Because their own works were found lacking (verse 1). It is only through the Holy Spirit that service to God is complete.
Secondly, it is important to remember that the Holy Spirit’s work is to give life. For example, when Jesus spoke with Nicodemus He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5). This aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry of bringing life is of obvious importance to a church that was dying.”

This is the church of Sardis, which you can see all throughout Babylon. Smiling faces, perfect church outfits, and even some charity work. They have the perfect routine, the perfect schedule, and the perfect public appearance. These are the ones that profess the name of Christ, but their hearts are far from Him.

Witness 1 and I believe that in these end times, if your church is without some controversy, it is unlikely a "true church." It was not always this way, but in the end times, the truth is controversial when everything is a lie. That means that what we write here is controversial, and trust me, it will not please people and rarely does. However, we commend the people who stand by us, who are not afraid of the truth.

Furthermore, this is why churches are so stagnant today. This is why everything just seems completely lifeless and dull in Christianity. There is so little progress, growth, or change anymore, and that is because there are “false people” producing “false fruit.”

The reason I write to the church of Sardis first is I believe that this is the most difficult church to persuade they are doing anything wrong. They read their Bibles, they go to church, and they may be the ones most enthusiastically singing worship songs, but something is missing. Like Satan, this church is disguised as “light” but its works are incomplete.

To exemplify this even more, here is a “Nativity Scene” at the Baptist Church in 2023.

This is the Church of Sardis! They look alive, don’t they?

Would Jesus Christ really like this celebration of Him? Does it model Him in anyway? Were the proceeds used for charity? Does this type of production draw people to the true Christ? My personal analysis is that it is a mockery of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

This is entertainment, and I doubt much spiritual growth comes from it. People may feel excited and better after this, but what do they truly learn?

Jesus Christ exemplifed humility, and if any reader believes I speak to Him, He gave me the words "Disgusting and distasteful. They have made a mockery of me." Pray about the words.

Let us continue with Scripture. Again, I like to use the concordance so we can all get the truest interpretation possible:

3:2 Be 1096 5737 watchful 1127 5723, and 2532 strengthen 4741 5657 the things which remain 3062, that 3739 are 3195 5719 ready to die 599 5629: for 1063 I have 2147 0 not 3756 found 2147 5758 thy 4675 works 2041 perfect 4137 5772 before 1799 God 2316.
3:3 Remember 3421 5720 therefore 3767 how 4459 thou hast received 2983 5758 and 2532 heard 191 5656, and 2532 hold fast 5083 5720, and 2532 repent 3340 5657. If 3362 0 therefore 3767 thou shalt 1127 0 not 3362 watch 1127 5661, I will come 2240 5692 on 1909 thee 4571 as 5613 a thief 2812, and 2532 thou shalt 1097 0 not 3364 know 1097 5632 what 4169 hour 5610 I will come 2240 5692 upon 1909 thee 4571.
3:4 Thou hast 2192 5719 a few 3641 names 3686 even 2532 in 1722 Sardis 4554 which 3739 have 3435 0 not 3756 defiled 3435 5656 their 846 garments 2440; and 2532 they shall walk 4043 5692 with 3326 me 1700 in 1722 white 3022: for 3754 they are 1526 5748 worthy 514.

Here is the more comprehensible version:

Revelation 3:2-4

2 Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.
4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.

According to this video, just like Sardis, the people will not be aware when the thief comes. The video explains that a soldier dropped his helmet, walked away, and this led his enemies to be able to discover his path and penetrate the city, ultimately overtaking them.

Is your helmet on securely? Is your armor fully on? I liked, by the way, that there was a woman in this depiction of the armor of God - to get to the point - our helmet of salvation needs to be secure. One could say Sardis's helmet has fallen off, and the thief is about to come at any moment!

Unfortunately, most in Sardis have been corrupted by their own self-cofidence and pride, and they will not be aware when Jesus comes like a “thief” in the night. There are a few who have not soiled their clothes or spiritual garments and are worthy, but this is not true of most in Sardis. They need to repent!

Jesus Christ has not found their works “perfect.” Despite what people claim about Judgment Day, we are going to be judged by our works. Interestingly, it then says that one will "not" be blocked out of the Book of Life, if they repent and fix their errors, implying again, that one can lose their salvation:

3:5 He that overcometh 3528 5723, the same 3778 shall be clothed 4016 5698 in 1722 white 3022 raiment 2440; and 2532 I will 1813 0 not 3364 blot out 1813 5692 his 846 name 3686 out of 1537 the book 976 of life 2222, but 2532 I will confess 1843 5698 his 846 name 3686 before 1799 my 3450 Father 3962, and 2532 before 1799 his 846 angels 32.
3:6 He that hath 2192 5723 an ear 3775, let him hear 191 5657 what 5101 the Spirit 4151 saith 3004 5719 unto the churches 1577.

To end, this letter is to the Church of Sardis, a dead church that can no longer grow or flourish because it is empty inside.

When thinking about the "motivation" of this church, it seems to be safety, routine, and comfort. The root of this specific church is a comfortable place, but the truth is, nothing can grow in its comfort zone.

As everyone awaits a Zombie apocalpyse, and I forsee a possibilty of that, I think it is already here - at least on a spiritual level.

I like checking out this guy's videos, where he asks people about Jesus, Bible verses, and Biblical trivia for an opportunity for some "free" money. He says things like, "I'll give you $20 if you can quote a Bible verse." Most bypass speaking to him, and even those who seem "Christian" always seem in a rush, like they do not have time for God. Some seem ashamed. Most seem zombified.

The Church of Sardis, though it seems alive, has a heart of a spiritual Zombie.

So, then, how can we know if anyone in the church is true? By their fruits!

What type of fruits are the churches producing? Entertainment extravaganzas? Well, that isn't the fruit of Christ, and sure, maybe a few in the audience are on the right path, but most are not.

So, we ask readers, join our humble online ministry. We invite emails, testimonies, friendship, donations, or anything else you want to offer.

In return, we are doing everything we can to obey Jesus Christ and produce His true fruit. We, then, hope to help you come out of Sardis and find the key to the Church of Philadelphia.

I pray this post helps someone in Jesus's name.

- Witness 2