The fifth letter which Jesus commanded John to write was to the church at Sardis:
“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 a reputation of being alive, …”’” (Rev 3:1a).
Jesus graciously commends the church for its works in saving lost souls amidst a city dedicated through Roman rule to the goddess Cybele, also known as Artemis (or Diana) in Ephesus. In this very difficult setting, the church at Sardis had succeeded in preaching the gospel of Christ as a very alive witness among decadent evil. The church had a reputation among believers in Asia as being alive.
But a good reputation is an easy thing to lose: this fabric of salvation had rotted amidst a culture of sexual immorality, as was true elsewhere in the Roman Empire:
“’” … but you are dead”’” (Rev 3:1b).
Slap! Ouch! Jesus warns sternly:
“’”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”’” (Rev 3:2-3a).
In America today, the church is once again surrounded by a decaying culture, but there is also a vibrant revival of faith visible in growing churches which preach the Word of God. If your church is struggling and losing membership, the healthy thing to do would be to assume Jesus is telling you that your church is about to die, whether or not that is actually the case. Remember what you have heard from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Launch revival locally:
“’” … Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you”’” (Rev 3:3b).
The Cycle of Perfect Unity applies to entire churches as well as individuals. If your church is standing at the fork in the road to perfect unity with God and with each other, and if your church is not thriving, then you can choose to heed the warnings of Christ and repent in order to “wake up” before Jesus comes against you. Your incredibly beautiful reward will be forgiveness, God’s never-ending love, and restoration!
There are leaders in every church, who are not always known as leaders, but who can “strengthen what remains”:
“’”Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before the angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”’” (Rev 3:4-6).
Strengthen what remains, before it is too late and the bad fork in the road is taken to disunity from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.