“And to the [a]angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before [b]God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. 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. 4 [c]You have a few names [d]even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 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.” ’
Revelation 3:1-6
The dead church. Jesus addresses the church in Sardis. He knows their works, their name, and that they are physically alive but in fact they are spiritually dead. Perhaps at one point this church was alive in the spirit, it bore fruit, but what stands today is a shell of its former glory.
They should strengthen what remains, because what works are left are not perfect before God. Remember what you were, who you were, the salvation you received by faith, hold fast and repent! Psalm 77:11-12 tells us to remember the deeds of the Lord, to consider all His deeds. We need to be reminded of all He has done for us.
In His mercy, Jesus told them what they needed to do, else He will come down unexpectedly, as a thief in the night, bringing judgment upon them.
2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.
1 Thessalonians 5:2
The few who have not defiled their garments by siding with pagans and non-believers would be worthy to walk with Christ, dressed in white.
Those few would remain in the book of life, and Jesus would confess them before the Father, as they confessed Him before man.
32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 10:32
