5th Letter to the Church of Sardis

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Lafftur

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
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Hello everyone, :love:

There are 7 Letters to 7 Churches in Chapters 2 and 3 of Revelation. Let’s read them one by one and share any understanding that the Holy Spirit gives us.

I’ll create a thread for each letter to each church so we can discuss them separately.

Try to stay away from commentaries…just read the scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to open them to you and give you understanding…then share with all of us what you heard the Spirit saying….

Here is the 5th Letter to the angel/messenger of the church of Sardis:

Revelation 3:1-6

1 “And to the angel/messenger of the church in Sardis write,

Greeting:

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars:

Evaluation:

“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Correction:

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

Instruction:

3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.

Consequence:

Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Commends them:

4You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Exhorts them to hear the Spirit and overcome:

5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

Looking forward to reading all your posts! :love:(y)
 
"I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent."

Every church these days wants to have a reputation for being alive. "Life" this and "Life" that. We claim to love our neighbor, but what about our helpless, unborn neighbors?

We wonder at how so many Christians could remain silent and put up with the Nazi atrocities. We have an opportunity to wake up and take a proactive stance. Will we listen, or take a sip of our latte and go back to more important things?
 
ResidentAlien said:
"I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent."

Every church these days wants to have a reputation for being alive. "Life" this and "Life" that. We claim to love our neighbor, but what about our helpless, unborn neighbors?

We wonder at how so many Christians could remain silent and put up with the Nazi atrocities. We have an opportunity to wake up and take a proactive stance. Will we listen, or take a sip of our latte and go back to more important things?
Click to expand...

Hello @ResidentAlien,

Share a testimony with us about how you have shared the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ with your helpless, unborn neighbors and the fruit you have seen! It will inspire all of us!!! :love:(y)

I love testimonies! A guy I really enjoy listening to is Isaiah Saldivar...thank God for his sister!

 
What is it about Isaiah Saldivar that you find enjoyable? Are you attracted to one of his doctrines in particular?
 
Revelation 3:1-6

1 “And to the angel/messenger of the church in Sardis write,

Greeting:

‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars:

In each "Greeting," Jesus Christ is revealing more and more to us about WHO He is to us.....Oh the depths of knowing HIM!!! :love::love::love::love::love::love:

In this 5th Letter, He is making Himself known to us as the One who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars....

We are already familiar with Him having the seven stars which He holds in His right hand. The seven stars are the seven angels/messengers of the seven churches which are sent to minister to the seven churches.

The seven Spirits of God is the FULLNESS of the Holy Spirit which the slain Lamb of God possesses without measure as the 7 horns and the 7 eyes described in Revelation 5:6. The Father always sends His Word with His Holy Spirit to accomplish His Will. Thus, the slain Lamb of God possess the 7 horns and the 7 eyes - the Holy Spirit - the seven Spirits of God. He is the Word of God with the Holy Spirit of God.

When Jesus seals and baptizes us with the Holy Spirit and with Fire...He is giving us the 7 Spirits of God with measure so that we have power to witness of Jesus Christ in the Earth and do the works of God. We are given the Word of God with the Holy Spirit of God to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons, prophesy, etc.

Also, Isaiah 11:2 describes the seven Spirits of God as being:

1-The Spirit of the Lord
2-The Spirit of Wisdom
3-The Spirit of Understanding
4-The Spirit of Counsel
5-The Spirit of Might
6-The Spirit of Knowledge
7-The Spirit of the Fear of the Lord

Later in Revelation chapter 4, John will describe the Throne and tell us that there are 7 lamps of fire before the Throne and they are the 7 Spirits of God, which is God the Holy Spirit. These 7 lamps of fire are NOT to be confused with the seven golden lampstands that the Lord has told us are the seven churches.
 
ResidentAlien said:
What is it about Isaiah Saldivar that you find enjoyable? Are you attracted to one of his doctrines in particular?
Click to expand...

His passion and extreme love for God and people. I love the revival fire of God that is in him and Daniel Adams, too! :love:(y) There's absolutely no fear of man and what people think or say about you. Totally sold out for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom that is coming to Earth! Go God!!! :love:(y)
 
Lafftur said:
His passion and extreme love for God and people. I love the revival fire of God that is in him and Daniel Adams, too! :love:(y) There's absolutely no fear of man and what people think or say about you. Totally sold out for Jesus Christ and His Kingdom that is coming to Earth! Go God!!!:love:(y)
Click to expand...

I'm looking forward to His kingdom as well. But it really boils down to timing.

Salvidar says Christ is returning for a pure bride; I agree but I'm not sure where he's coming from. A lot of people who preach dominion theology also say Christ is returning for a pure bride. Dominion theology teaches that Christ can't return and set up His kingdom until the church has begun to rule and reign in all parts of society, personal and corporate. The seven mountains mandate taught by the New Apostolic Reformation is dominion theology. Latter rain is also a kind of dominion theology. Basically, it says Christ's return and the setting up of His kingdom depend on us. This isn't in scripture, it depends on extra-Biblical revelation and prophecy.

Saldivar reminds me of a fast-talking auto salesman who throws around a lot of charismatic buzzwords but doesn't say anything of substance.
 
ResidentAlien said:
I'm looking forward to His kingdom as well. But it really boils down to timing.

Salvidar says Christ is returning for a pure bride; I agree but I'm not sure where he's coming from. A lot of people who preach dominion theology also say Christ is returning for a pure bride. Dominion theology teaches that Christ can't return and set up His kingdom until the church has begun to rule and reign in all parts of society, personal and corporate. The seven mountains mandate taught by the New Apostolic Reformation is dominion theology. Latter rain is also a kind of dominion theology. Basically, it says Christ's return and the setting up of His kingdom depend on us. This isn't in scripture, it depends on extra-Biblical revelation and prophecy.

Saldivar reminds me of a fast-talking auto salesman who throws around a lot of charismatic buzzwords but doesn't say anything of substance.
Click to expand...
Start the vid at 11:55.

You obviously did not watch it
 
Well, now pondering Jesus' evaluation of the Church of Sardis...:unsure::love:

Revelation 3:1-6

1 “And to the angel/messenger of the church in Sardis write,

Evaluation:

“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Uh-oh! Jesus' evaluation does not sound good....:cry: He knows our works...everything we think, say and do and His Words are TRUE. He says we have a name of being alive, but we are dead. How can this be??!!! It reminds me of when He told the Pharisees that they were white washed tombs of dead bones...we look good on the outside but inside we have died...:cry:

No worries, in the next verses He will correct and instruct us so that we can be alive again! I love His honesty and truthfulness when He speaks directly to us! He loves us, He will fix us and we will cooperate! :love:(y)
 
I'm so thankful Jesus Christ corrects, instructs and warns us of consequences....He truly loves us and wants His Bride to be ready for His return. Hallelujah and amen! :love:(y)

Revelation 3:1-6

1 “And to the angel/messenger of the church in Sardis write,

Correction:

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.

Jesus is warning us that something is wrong with our works... without faith it is impossible to please God. He tells us to be watchful and to strengthen what we do have that is barely alive.

The key thing here is to be watchful. To pray and probably fast, too. Keep a strong connection to Him and not to fall asleep and become complacent with our faith in Jesus Christ.

Pray! Pray! Pray! It's what Jesus told His disciples to do in the garden right before Jesus was taken from them. He knew their faith was about to be completely shaken and turned upside down.

It's important for our prayer life to be full and vibrant so that we are very sensitive to the Holy Spirit getting us ready for our Lord's return and our faith in Jesus Christ remains rock solid.

Instruction:

3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.

It was by faith that we received and heard the gospel, Jesus wants us to hold on to our faith and repent of being complacent or passive with our faith which causes our faith to slowly fade and weaken.

Consequence:

Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

There is a consequence for not vigilantly praying and keeping or prayer life fresh and alive. If we do not watch and stay alert with prayer, watching for our Lord's appearing, then it will take us by surprise and we will not be ready.
 
Jesus Christ commends and exhorts those in the Church phase of Sardis to hear what the Spirit is saying and to overcome. I pray as we pass through this phase, we too will overcome, help us Lord, amen.

Remember all the 7 churches are foundational phases that believers pass through to be the Bride of Christ ready at the Lord's return....

Ephesus = Establish First Love in God alone;
Smyrna = Death to Self and Alive in Christ alone;
Pergamos = Pure Truth of God's Word alone as True Doctrine;
Thyatira = Pure Holy Spirit, not the false spiritual wickedness of Jezebel;
Sardis = Establish rock solid Faith in the works of Christ alone for Salvation, not by our works;
Philadelphia...
Laodicea...

Revelation 3:1-6

1 “And to the angel/messenger of the church in Sardis write,

Commends them:

4You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

Jesus Christ is inspecting the garments He has given us which are to be kept holy, clean and undefiled. He has found some that have not defiled their garments and some that have defiled them with their flesh.


Jude 19-25 (New King James Version)

19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit.
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction;
23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.


There are a few in Sardis with white garments that are not defiled. Those that wear them are worthy to walk with Jesus Christ.

Garments are coverings and robes are outer garments. We have been given the garment of Salvation, the garment of Praise, and the robe of Righteousness.

There are also priestly garments that are to be kept holy and not defiled. We are a royal priesthood, according to 1 Peter 2:9:

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;


Exhorts them to hear the Spirit and overcome:

5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

We are to overcome by keeping our garment of Salvation and garment of Praise undefiled with the flesh meaning that all the works that pertain to salvation are the works of Christ ALONE and all the praise goes to Christ ALONE. The flesh is to not have ANY part of salvation or praise for salvation.

There are NO WORKS we can do to maintain or keep our salvation. If our flesh tries to do good works to maintain or not lose salvation then we are back to depending on our good works to save us and by so doing we are defiling our white garment of salvation that Christ gave us. We are NOT to be foolish Galatians which began by faith and then ended up in works.

We must have rock solid Faith in Christ ALONE for Salvation. The good works we do after being saved are to be a witness of the Gift of Salvation in Jesus Christ alone, and for rewards and treasures in Heaven and to promote the Kingdom of God, NOT for salvation. Yes, we will do good works but our good works are NOT for salvation.

No flesh will inherit the Kingdom of God. We have been given the garment of Salvation and the garment of Praise and the robe of Righteousness. We are NOT to defile any of these garments or robe with the works of the flesh trying to earn or maintain or not lose salvation.

6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’

Only by hearing what the Spirit is saying will we understand what Jesus Christ is saying to the churches. All our faith must be in Christ ALONE. :love:(y)
 
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