Gist of the letter to Sardis: “You are dead!”
Sardis was virtually unassailable by enemies.

Description of Jesus
1. Holds seven spirits - reference to the Holy Spirit
2. Holds seven stars- 7 angels or messengers

Commendation
A few who had not soiled their clothes
reputation of being alive

Dying churches offer nothing to a lost world.
The Church in Sardis was a perfect example of inoffensive Christianity.

Imperatives (exhortation)
1. Wake Up! - Keep watch for things which may lead us astray. (Matt. 24:50; 25:13, Mark 13:32-33)
2. Strengthen! - The life of a church is not its popularity, programs or personality, but in the person of Christ.
3. Remember! - the basics of the faith and practice them.
4. Obey! - what we know to be true
5. Repent! They needed a change of direction if they were going to survive.

Promises
1. will walk with Christ
2. will be dressed in white clothes
3. will never have their name removed from the Book of Life
4. will have their name acknowledged before God and His angels
The Church can never be spiritually strong unless the individuals within it are spiritually strong.

Thyatira was well known for its trade guilds.

Description of Christ (18)
eyes like blazing fire (Jeremiah 16:17; Hebrews 4:13)
Christ's appraisal is piercing.
feet of bronze- often used to speak of judgment

Commendations (19)
1. They were a loving church.
2. They were a serving church.
3. They were a faithful church.
4. They were a growing church.

Rebuke (20)
They tolerate that woman Jezebel.
They were being misled doctrinally.
A true prophet has authority because his words come from God.

Old Testament Jezebel and Thyatira's false teacher (21-23)
1. Both tried to replace God's authoritative Word with a poor substitute.
2.Both were given opportunity to repent, but refused.
3. Both were condemned by God.

Jezebel's doctrines
1. “something evil could be good.”
2. “hates God's true Word.”
3. “deludes people that they are right.”

Promises to the overcomer (26-28)
1. He will give authority over the nations.
2. He will give them the Morning Star.
God expects us to be students of the Word.

Description of Jesus (12)
“Him who has the sharp double-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Pergamum
1. The Roman capital of Asia
2. where parchment was invented
3. Neokoros- “temple warden”
4. temples for Greek gods
“where Satan has his throne” (13)

Commendation
1. holding fast to His name
2. did not renounce their faith, even in the midst of persecution

Rebuke (14-15)
1. held to the teaching of Balaam
2. held to the teaching of the Nicolatians

Exhortation (16)
Repent therefore!
Consequence for not repenting- we will face God's Word.

Promise (17)
1. Hidden manna=living bread which came down from heaven
2. White stone with a new name= redeemed position we have through a relationship with Christ

We live in a time and place where it is easy to compromise our stand.

Call to Repentance
1. They took God for granted, became complacent, comfortable, and returned to how the world operates.

Have we been found complacent? Self-centered, idolatrous, in sin? What are we worshiping?

Romans 2:4 “Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance, and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.


2. Yet even now, God is warning us!
We know His judgment is coming, so why don't we listen to His warning?


3. Today, we are being called to live radically for Jesus Christ.

Does your life give testimony to the work of Christ in your life?

II Cor. 13:5- “Examine yourselves, to whether you are in the faith.”


4. Yet even now, there is hope. (I John 1:9)

Christian, repent of your idleness.
To the unbeliever, right now is your chance?


5. We all have a response to God's message. ​

______ I've repented of _____________. (what God is speaking to you)
______ I've given my life or rededicated my life to Christ.
______ I praise God for _______________________________.