Class Graphic Slide Show

Thy Kingdom Come – the Book of Revelation

Class 7 - The Church at Sardis

Of the seven messages, only Sardis receives no commendation at the beginning of the message. Perhaps the reason for this omission was that the sins and evils of Sardis were habitual rather than occasional as in the other six churches. Sardis' predominant attribute is its reputation – v. 1.

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead [literally void of fruit, vitality].

Notice that the Lord is establishing Himself as the One who is qualified to make this judgment for He has the testimony of the “seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars.” The “seven Spirits” are mentioned in only four verses of the Bible: Revelation 1:4, 3:1, 4:5, 5:6. In 1:4, 4:5, and 5:6 it is a figurative picture of the Holy Spirit at the throne of God. Bible teachers offer two possible scriptural explanations to this picture of the Spirit with both signifying the perfection and completeness – the “seven” and the Spirit of God’s authority, and control of the Lord’s churches. Here in Revelation 3:1, most students see this as a contrast of the self-satisfied, self-control of the members of the church at Sardis.

                                                                                                   [Read the entire lesson by clicking on PDF transcript below]

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