Introduction
"The letters contained in the Book of Revelation to the Congregations"
Chapters 2-3 of the Book of Revelation contain the missionary letters to the 7 churches of Asia Minor at the time of the apostle John. However, the Bible is relevant at all times and those letters have had at least two different meanings in different eras. The Revelation of John is a prophetic/apocalyptic book, and because of that, I think the letters also tell about the development stages of the Messianic Congregations, in the past, in the present, and even until the end of the 1000-year peace period that lies ahead of us.
When we look at the Congregations in John's time and after, and how the places were named, it all tells us that Elohim has planned everything nicely.
Processing of the topic
Today we are studying Revelation chapter 3 and the mission letter mentioned only at the beginning to the Congregation in Sardis.
A letter to the Congregation in Sardis
Verses 1-2: Adonai Yeshua authoritatively presents himself as the possessor of the seven Spirits of Elohim, who possesses the seven stars, i.e. the angel or messenger of each Congregation, i.e. the shepherd, i.e. the Congregation's leader. His statement about the spiritual condition of Sardis was crushing! By his standards the Congregation was spiritually dead. According to verse 2, the Congregation's leader must wake up to watch over and strengthen those still alive who are about to die, because the actions of the Congregation's leader were not perfect before Elohim.
- In modern times, the spiritual level is exactly the same in the majority of Christian Congregations. The largest Congregations have constantly and to an ever-increasing degree given up the 'light and salt', which they should contain, so that those who walk in the darkness find the way to salvation and the sinners turn to the Forgiver of sins and repent. The vast majority of modern pastors have rejected the early apostolic teachings teaching of the Bible, like this: Acts 11:18
>>1 To the angel of the Congregation in Sardis write the following: "This is the solemn pronouncement of the one who holds the seven spirits of Elohim and the seven stars:
'I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. 2 Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my Elohim. 3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you.
'I know your deeds, that you have a reputation that you are alive, but in reality you are dead. 2 Wake up then, and strengthen what remains that was about to die, because I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my Elohim. 3 Therefore, remember what you received and heard, and obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will never know at what hour I will come against you.
4 But you have a few individuals in Sardis who have not stained their clothes, and they will walk with me dressed in white, because they are worthy.
5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels.
5 The one who conquers will be dressed like them in white clothing, and I will never erase his name from the book of life, but will declare his name before my Father and before his angels.
6 The one who has an ear had better hear what the Spirit says to the Congregations.' "<< Rev. 3:1-6
Verses 1-2: Adonai Yeshua authoritatively presents himself as the possessor of the seven Spirits of Elohim, who possesses the seven stars, i.e. the angel or messenger of each Congregation, i.e. the shepherd, i.e. the Congregation's leader. His statement about the spiritual condition of Sardis was crushing! By his standards the Congregation was spiritually dead. According to verse 2, the Congregation's leader must wake up to watch over and strengthen those still alive who are about to die, because the actions of the Congregation's leader were not perfect before Elohim.
- In modern times, the spiritual level is exactly the same in the majority of Christian Congregations. The largest Congregations have constantly and to an ever-increasing degree given up the 'light and salt', which they should contain, so that those who walk in the darkness find the way to salvation and the sinners turn to the Forgiver of sins and repent. The vast majority of modern pastors have rejected the early apostolic teachings teaching of the Bible, like this: Acts 11:18
>>When they heard this, they ceased their objections and praised Elohim, saying, "So then, Elohim has granted the repentance that leads to (the eternal) life even to the Gentiles."<<
Verses 3-4: Yeshua reminds the Congregation's leader of what he had heard and what was entrusted to him to build the Congregation's and urges him to repent or he will suddenly punish him! What is special is that the threat is directed specifically at the Congregation's leader, and not the Congregation itself! Discipline could perhaps be a change of the Congregation's leader (?) According to verse 4, there were still a few 'names' or saints in Sardis who had not defiled their clothes. They had been sanctified and abandoned the life of sin. Others had indulged in various sins and experienced spiritual death.. The following warning was fulfilled in them: Jude 1:12-13
>>12 These men are dangerous reefs at your love feasts, feasting without reverence, feeding only themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit - twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild sea waves, spewing out the foam of their shame; wayward stars for whom the utter depths of eternal darkness have been reserved.<<
- That saying 'twice dead' refers to the fact that they had been truly in the faith, but then apostatized and became overcome by sinful lusts, because they had not controlled their condition in order to remain holy and pure. They probably went to the meeting in local Congregation regularly, thinking it was a guarantee of salvation for them! Many modern Christians think the same way, but they will be horrified at the last judgment of their true state, unless they turn and repent of their sins in time!
Verses 5-6: Yeshua calls on those who are still spiritually alive to continue to compete so that they WIN and finally achieve Salvation and be clothed in white clothes, i.e. the chosen's gift righteousness, and that their names remain in the Book of Life written in heaven, which Yeshua referred to in Luke 10:20
>>Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.<<
In verse 6 Yeshua urges this Congregation to listen and obey the call given through the Holy Spirit to all Congregations then and prophetically also to us as individuals today.
A short summary of the Congregation in Sardis
A former Roman Catholic monk, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg church in 1517. It was the clearest departure from the rottenness of the doctrine of the Roman Catholic papal church. He is considered to have been one of the most significant intercessors of the religious reformation in the 16th century.
Verses 3-4: Yeshua reminds the Congregation's leader of what he had heard and what was entrusted to him to build the Congregation's and urges him to repent or he will suddenly punish him! What is special is that the threat is directed specifically at the Congregation's leader, and not the Congregation itself! Discipline could perhaps be a change of the Congregation's leader (?) According to verse 4, there were still a few 'names' or saints in Sardis who had not defiled their clothes. They had been sanctified and abandoned the life of sin. Others had indulged in various sins and experienced spiritual death.. The following warning was fulfilled in them: Jude 1:12-13
>>12 These men are dangerous reefs at your love feasts, feasting without reverence, feeding only themselves. They are waterless clouds, carried along by the winds; autumn trees without fruit - twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild sea waves, spewing out the foam of their shame; wayward stars for whom the utter depths of eternal darkness have been reserved.<<
- That saying 'twice dead' refers to the fact that they had been truly in the faith, but then apostatized and became overcome by sinful lusts, because they had not controlled their condition in order to remain holy and pure. They probably went to the meeting in local Congregation regularly, thinking it was a guarantee of salvation for them! Many modern Christians think the same way, but they will be horrified at the last judgment of their true state, unless they turn and repent of their sins in time!
Verses 5-6: Yeshua calls on those who are still spiritually alive to continue to compete so that they WIN and finally achieve Salvation and be clothed in white clothes, i.e. the chosen's gift righteousness, and that their names remain in the Book of Life written in heaven, which Yeshua referred to in Luke 10:20
>>Nevertheless, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names stand written in heaven.<<
In verse 6 Yeshua urges this Congregation to listen and obey the call given through the Holy Spirit to all Congregations then and prophetically also to us as individuals today.
A short summary of the Congregation in Sardis
(§ = meaning, + = pluses, - = minuses) See the map!
Also refers to the srk period 1517 - 1750 "Reformation" - Located approx. 80 km northeast of Ephesus and it had been the capital of the old Lydian Kingdom, one of the big cities of its time, but at that time it was quite insignificant.
§ Sardis means: "Prince of joy", "Saved" and "Come out"
The pluses and minuses:
+ Only a worthy few, who were required to do nothing more than keep their hearts pure.
- Dying and asleep / - Imperfect works / - Only formal Christian/Messianic faith
A former Roman Catholic monk, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg church in 1517. It was the clearest departure from the rottenness of the doctrine of the Roman Catholic papal church. He is considered to have been one of the most significant intercessors of the religious reformation in the 16th century.
That's when the time of the Reformation began. Its most valuable consequence was the translation of the Bibles into the native languages of the peoples and finally made available to everyone even here in Finland! In England, the theologian John Wycliffe had already translated the Bible from Latin into Middle English before this, at the end of the 14th century.
Introspection
Let's reflect on the local Congregation and ourselves as individuals, whether there are similar reasons for praise and/or reproach in it, and from me/you as an individual? If we find similar or other reproaches, let us humble ourselves to repent as a Congregation and as individuals, asking and praying in the Holy Spirit for the will and strength to that from on high.
Songs suitable for the topic
Down on my knees
Lord Watch Over Me
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