Yesterday, a young man in our congregation made an announcement concerning a study concerning marriage which he would be hosting. In connection, he read Psalm 1, which is a passage we memorized with our children over the summer.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Which reminded me of some things I’d read in the Gospel accounts.

Earlier today I also came across:

Psalm 119:165-166, 173-176

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments……..

Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

It is  interesting to me how interconnected are the “Old” and “New” Testaments.

Have a look >>>>>>

(The first two comparisons are not “obvious” parallels but I think it is interesting to note that Jesus points out that He is the fulfillment of the law that David delighted in and meditated on)

But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Matthew 5:17-18  Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For truly I say to you, Till the heaven and the earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass from the Law until all is fulfilled.

I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

John 5:39  You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life. And they are the ones witnessing of Me,

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

John 4:13-14  Jesus answered and said to her, Whoever drinks of this water shall thirst again,   but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 15:4  Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.

The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

Mat 3:12  …whose fan is in His hand, and He will cleanse His floor and gather His wheat into the storehouse; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Matthew 7:23  And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!

I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Mat 9:36  But seeing the crowds, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were tired and scattered like sheep having no shepherd.

Mat 18:12  What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?

Joh 10:16  And I have other sheep who are not of this fold. I must also lead those, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one Shepherd.

Pretty amazing, yes?

Passages are from MKJV and KJV.

In each of the letters, Jesus made promises to “he who overcomes”.

While working my way through the messages to the Revelation churches, I happened  across this song by Andrew Peterson.   I thought I’d pass it along.

The last enemy made to cease is death

1 Corinithians 15:26

And I saw a new heaven and a new earth. For the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. And the sea no longer is.

And I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her Husband.

And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.

And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away.

And He sitting on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful.

And He said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of the Water of Life freely.

He who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.
Revelation 21:1-7

I have spoken these things to you so that you might have peace in Me.

In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer.

I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Happy Weekend!

Almost done.

In the previous post, I offered my impression of the spiritual condition of the Laodicean church. Today I’m going to attempt to summarize the historical significance.

Rev 3:14-22

And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God, says these things:
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot.
So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The “root” of this church’s grand appearance probably reaches back to the post-reformation spiritual chilliness of much of visible protestant Christianity. The apathy which marks Laodicea is the logical next step beyond the development of repressed, mechanical and business-like religion. With a form of hierarchy still firmly in place, it would tend to leave the average Christian just on the outside of truly meeting with God on a personalized level. People would eventually drift farther away in their hearts while perhaps still retaining the name “Christian” and some semblance of moral thinking.

In effect, there are probably a few truly interested individuals within this group while the rest are happy to warm a pew every week or two. For many, the spheres of “real life” and “religious life” rarely overlap and Jesus has become a marginalized, Children’s Bible character to whom we might remember to turn when all other options have failed.

What happened?

I think the arrival of the Modern Age, and the emphasis on learning, scientific discovery and human empowerment may hold a clue.

Before the 1700’s, a few useful inventions changed the lives of many an average person.

In 1439, Johann Gutenberg created the first movable-type printing press, which eventually would pave the way for the Bible (as well as other writings) to be made readily available to the masses.

1590 saw the invention of the microscope by Zacharias Janssen and 1610 marks the birth of the telescope by Hans Lippershey. Both of these developments have been steadily improved upon and instrumental in man’s increased knowledge about the physical universe in which we live.

From the early 1700’s right up to the present, hundreds of new discoveries and inventions have been made. From improved methods of weaving cloth to more efficient ways to grow and harvest crops to better building products to highly technical means of communication…huge advancements have been made in a relatively short period of time. Industry, agriculture, science, history, music and art have experienced major changes. Even the way nations wage war has been dramatically impacted in the last few hundred years. Many of these changes directly touch our everyday lives in ways we rarely notice.

But, along with these amazing developments (many made by Christians who desired to honor God with their efforts) arose an unmistakable attitude of arrogance concerning the achievements and potential greatness of humankind.

Certain decidedly unbiblical ways of thinking surfaced and started to spread. Charles Lyell (1797-1875) is remembered as “The father of modern geology”. However, he promoted an idea that the present is the key to the past, aka the principle of uniformity. This mindset would seriously impact the way scientists regarded future advancements–including dating methods for rocks and fossils, the development of various landforms and speculation concerning the age of the earth. God’s divine presence has systematically been marginalized in the scientific realm. In light of this, I find it fascinating that Peter wrote:

For this is hidden from them by their willing it, that the heavens were of old, and the earth out of the water, and through water, being held together by the Word of God,
through which the world that then was, being flooded by water, perished. 2 Peter 3:5-6

Written: 1st century AD. How did HE know that eventually many would categorically deny the Biblical account of a catastrophic, global flood that drastically re-shaped the entire face of the planet?

Following Lyell, Charles Darwin catapulted the pre-existing (but not yet widely accepted) theory of evolution onto center stage in 1859, with the publishing of  The Origin of Species. His work was readily accepted by many who found distasteful the Biblical teaching that we have been created by, and are accountable to the Great I AM of Judeo-Christian Scripture.

Of course, this rejection of God’s Word is nothing “new”. From the beginning, man has been saying of the eternally existent, triune God “ Let us break their bands in two and cast away their cords from us. “(Psalm 2:3). Natural man is a rebel, always looking for an excuse to play god for himself rather than humbly reconcile with his Maker.

With secular humanism on the rise, the object of many a man’s worship has been almighty man. Various God-minimizing branches of science (ie sociology, anthropology, psychology) have sprung into being and the teachings of men like Sigmund Freud (psychoanalysis) , Herbert Spencer (biological evolution causes social change), Carl Marx (communism), Ernst Haeckel (materialism) and Fredrich Nietzche (God is dead) pushed for a completely man-centered society.

Following World War II, the citizens of many Westernized countries have experienced unprecedented access to freedom from oppression and ease of lifestyle. Most of us have no clue what true physical “neediness” really looks like. And still, we grab for more while preaching a “gospel” message of health and material prosperity.

The main reason I’ve swung from examining church history into the secular realm is because the two have become quite interwoven and, on many levels, today’s Westernized Protestant church has been heavily influenced by humanistic thought in the forms of relativism, socialism, hedonism, politicalism and feminism. We honor Jesus with our lips but our hearts are far, far away.

I’m not suggesting that it is wrong to have material possessions.  What to do with what we’ve acquired is between each individual and God.  But there is much truth to Jesus’ words when He said that it is easier for a camel to fit through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. “Richness” is relative.  And, it can take the form of high intelligence or even successful “self-sufficiency” as well as that of worldly goods.

I think the point is that we don’t  even recognize our spiritual poverty when we are consumed with chasing after things that, ultimately, mean nothing.

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In Israelite history, there is a similar time period. After the Jews returned to their homeland, restored the temple and wall, Greece (known for it’s elevation of human intellect through philosophy and cycle of democracy-oligarchy-tyranny) and then Rome (decidedly pagan, with it’s emperor worship and moral decadence) moved in as conquering nations.

Even though the Jewish state was allowed to continue in semi-autonomy, I would expect certain societal attitudes and cultural influences may have taken their toll.

In fact, during the Greek occupation, many Jews became secularized and there was strife between this group and that of the orthodox Jews. around 170 AD, Antiochus Epiphanes moved in and made a show of friendliness to Jews who had adopted Hellenistic culture. He later betrayed them and defiled the Jewish Temple by performing a pagan sacrificing on the alter. Subsequently, civil and religious Jewish liberties were suspended, the daily sacrifice was prohibited and an altar to Jupiter (The Roman god of sky, lightening and thunder) was set up. Many were the offenses against the God of heaven and His people, who were forced to eat the flesh of swine in contradiction of the Law.

Has not something similar occurred within Christ’s Temple (meaning His body, the Church) as so many of us have made friends with worldly thinking and aspirations? Have we, in our comatose state, allowed a hostile takeover without a struggle? Is it possible that many Christians today are spiritually “eating” humanistic swine’s flesh instead of dining on the pure Bread of Life?

If there is an actual parallel there, Jesus’ instruction to believers is to run for the hills when the abomination the causes desolation makes an appearance. (Matthew 24:15-16) I don’t know for sure how that applies to modern Christianity, whether we are supposed to physically run or spiritually flee from the dangers. But it’s something that’s been on my mind lately. And I’ve been praying that the Lord directs my husband in the instance that we need to make any major changes.

Shortly after the atrocities committed by Antiochus Epiphanes (approximately 3 years later) it is recorded that a Jewish revolt occurred under Judas Maccabeus took place. In 165, the Jewish Temple was cleansed and rededicated and in 141, the deliverance of Judea was complete.

The religious sects of Pharisees and Sadducees are first mentioned around 109 BC. By the time of Jesus, the two groups had very distinct characteristics. The Pharisees were dedicated to preserving the Law and were nonconformist in their attitude. They had become prideful and judgmental and their loyalty to the maintenance of religion actually got in the way of their being able to see Jesus as their Messiah. Similar Christian groups today might be recognized as “hyper-fundamentalists”.

The Sadducees were a secularized group which denied the authority of tradition, limited the trustworthiness of Scripture to only that which included the Mosaic Law and earlier writings, denied the doctrine of resurrection and categorically rejected the existence of angels or spirits. Hm. Kind of resembles the beliefs of some who identify with “liberal Christianity”.

In addition, there were the Essenes, who were somewhat removed from society, devoted time to reading and study of scripture, prayer and ceremonial washings, they lived in community and held pacifistic beliefs, much like many of today’s anabaptist sects. “Separation” can be a good thing, but we need to remember that true believers in Christ have also been entrusted with the privilege of reflecting Christ’s light of truth to the world.

The scribes were primarily copyists of the Law and were considered something of experts due to their intimate acquaintance with texts. They were looked upon as being teachers and often aligned with the Pharisees in their thinking. In Westernized Christianity, we have our many educated teachers as well. This isn’t always a good thing, as scribes are sometimes mentioned by Jesus along with Pharisees as being hypocrites.(Matt. 23)

Lastly, the Herodians were another primarily secularized group with strong political motivation. Their focus was on cooperation with Roman leaders. Again, Westernized Christianity offers a counterpoint as we often attempt to influence laws and leaders–sometimes to the point that these efforts take on the form of idolatry.

The Laodicean period brings Jewish history into the time of the Pax Romana, which is where my Christian Church history journey began in Ephesus. While I’m merely pointing out similarities in the chronological order, I think it might be wise for professing believers to consider what history tells us.

When Jesus came the first time, it was as a helpless baby who grew up to confront a largely apathetic society which was relatively comfortable and felt little need to accept Him as Messiah. When He returns, it will be as reigning King and, in light of the historical pattern, I do wonder if we are swiftly approaching that moment.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to play false prophetess and try to predict a day and time. I’m not even sure yet what to make of this little trail.  But, considering the generalized state of the church and overall condition of the world, I cannot help but think of:

Luk 21:25-36 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth distress of nations in perplexity at the roaring of the sea and the waves,
men fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
Now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees;
as soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that the summer is already near.
So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away till all has taken place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
“But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a snare;
for it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth.
But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.” (MKJV)

***Some notes on Antiochus and the religious sects are paraphrases of information in the back of my NASV Ryrie study Bible.

Rev 3:14 -22

And to the angel of the church of the Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Head of the creation of God, says these things:
I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold or hot.
So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Because you say, I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing, and do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
I counsel you to buy from Me gold purified by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be clothed, and so that the shame of your nakedness does not appear. And anoint your eyes with eye salve, so that you may see.
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame and have sat down with My Father in His throne.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Laodicea. The first thing that came to my mind when reading this is the way a big drink of lukewarm tap water tends make me feel queasy and as though I’m going to vomit.

It seems that the Lord is telling this church that they are neither obviously His friend nor His enemy. The group is content to luxuriate in rich living, and a conspicuous lack of want has created the illusion that Jesus can take a back seat and be asked to make an appearance in name only when it is convenient. Material blessing is taken for granted–even considered to be something of an entitlement to be named and claimed because “HEY! We’re Christians!”

Full bellies and free access to creature comforts can create a false sense of spiritual fulfillment in those who have claimed Christ’s name.

And it makes Jesus sick to His stomach.

Christians in Laodicea don’t think to seek the true treasure that is found in intimate communion with our Lord. We’re too busy getting good educations, running our kids to soccer practice, working our way up the ladder of success, minding our health, playing Nintendo, going on cruises, and deciding whether this dress or those slacks make our backsides look more attractive.

Oh, we might wedge in a quick minute with our Bibles between business meetings–or send up a quick prayer if our car swerves out of control on the freeway. Sunday mornings of course offer a chance to parade into our well-maintained sanctuaries in our “best” clothing (surely God’s impressed with how neat and tidy we all look!). Tithing is pretty important–it makes up for all that time we don’t bother to think about God the rest of the week.

Sometimes we might deliver a casserole to an invalid. Or spend some time down at the local pregnancy crisis center in order to soothe that niggling feeling of guilt over having so much while the rest of the world is so poor. We seem to like to pass out tracts on occasion or offer myriad “programs” in order to make the best use of our impressively styled and modern churches. We Laodiceans often engage in random acts of charity in order to make up for our lack of affection for the one who gave everything in order to free us from our bondage.

But Jesus knows our hearts.

We’re often busy. But not in obedience to what the Lord wants because we don’t take the time to listen to Him. We pridefully think we have things figured out and grope blindly along. So, we are naked in the sense that we have no beautiful adornment that comes from faithful service. And, our attachment to worldly trinkets prevents us from investing in eternity.

Externally, we have everything a person could want. Inside, we are starving and keep trying to fill that gaping hole with more stuff, more experiences, more power, more public recognition…

Deu 28:47-48 has haunted me for months, now.

“Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger and thirst, in nakedness, and in want of all things; and he will put a yoke of iron upon your neck, until he has destroyed you.

God is talking to HIS people here. The rest of the passage is pretty gruesome. Go ahead and read it sometime.

Asaph knew what God wants most from His people:

He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of God!” Psalm 50:23

And David, when his adulterous, murderous affair had been discovered, had an appropriate attitude:

For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:16-17

And, toward the end of the message to Laodicea, our Lord makes a gracious offering of Himself to those who heed his correction.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; therefore be zealous and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with Me.”

We don’t have to be spiritually starved because the precious Bread of Life is being presented as an alternative to all of the junk “food” that this world claims is best. He’s just outside the door. Knocking. Asking to be let BACK INTO His own Church which has traded off intimacy with Him for cheap thrills.

The table’s set, folks. Jesus is bringing the dinner and He’s standing on the front porch. It’s time we unlocked the door and let Him in.

When I first felt the urge to look closely at the Revelation churches, the one I most closely identified with is Laodicea.
On one hand, it is easy to pick out where it fits in history. And it’s been tough to narrow down the details into a reasonably-sized posting.
On the other hand, being so closely “related” has presented a few roadblocks in that it has been difficult to be honest about Laodicea’s problems.

So, as the sifting continues, I thought I’d share one of my most favorite hymns. I don’t think any other song has so consistently moved me to fall on my face in worshipful gratitude for the mercy and kindness God has shown to undeserving sinners like myself.

What a precious treasure we have in our risen Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Rev 3:7 -13

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts; and shuts and no one opens, says these things:
I know your works. Behold, I have given before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength and have kept My Word and have not denied My name.
Behold, I give out of those of the synagogue of Satan, those saying themselves to be Jews and are not, but lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which will come upon all the habitable world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly. Hold fast to that which you have, so that no one may take your crown.
Him who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will go out no more. And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Philadelphia is an interesting study because it appears to overlap and intermingle with all periods of church history.

Moving into the the early 1600’s, Puritans clashed with the king over the Church of England, as they hoped to continue with reform measures. Some of these people ended up leaving England and were known as Separatists (they believed that every local congregation ought to be completely self-governing and without hierarchy). In 1620, many Puritans migrated to America in search of religious freedom. In 1685, King Louis XIV’s revocation of the Edict of Nantes forbade the practice of any religion other than what the king decreed. It is believed that tens of thousands of intellectual and industrious French Protestants fled and relocated in England, Ireland, the Americas, Holland, Germany, Russia and several other less oppressive countries. As these groups would have had to leave jobs, homes and comforts in search of peace, they would likely have had to rely heavily upon community among their Christian brothers and sisters in order to survive.

Perhaps, when looking at the “big picture”, Philadelphia takes center stage during the 18th century and includes what we in America call “The Great Awakening”.

The (however tenuous) uniting bond of Catholicism in Europe had definitely been fractured and the resulting state churches offered mainly an outward form of “religiousness”.

This deadness was a cause for concern for a German Lutheran Pastor by the name of Philipp Spener (1635-1705). He began conducting weekly meetings in his home for those who desired to spend time together studying the Bible, discussing and praying. The concept took hold as more spiritually hungry people began following this example. As a result of this movement, Germany experienced an increase in “common” believers participating in such activities as evangelism and missionary work. One group that was instrumental in the spreading of the Gospel during this time were the Moravians, which was founded by John Huss well before the Reformation took hold.

Regardless of whether I agree with every aspect of their personal beliefs, I am amazed at the extensive list of souls God moved during this time.

In England, spiritual revival swept through as John and Charles Wesley and George Whitefield began aggressively pleading for sinners to repent. Whitefield remained devoted to the preaching of the Gospel for 34 years and in 1739, he began preaching open air sermons in the American colonies.

William Wilberforce was inspired to write a book which encouraged upper class citizens who had claimed Christ’s name to become good stewards of that which was entrusted to them. As a member of Parliament, he also headed up the movement to abolish the British slave trade.

William Carey is remembered as “The Father of Modern Missions.” Other missionaries of note include David Livingstone and Hudson Taylor. The movement to spread the Gospel and make it available to all people everywhere (aka “the Great Commission”) still continues, but seems to have experienced a surge during the 1800’s.

Robert Raikes is known as the “Father of the Sunday School Movement” because of his work in bringing both Biblical and academic education to poor street children in 1780.

In the mid-1800’s, George Muller began caring for what would eventually become thousands of English orphans. William Booth founded the Salvation Army in 1865. Florence Nightingale is credited with the development of modern nursing. Charles Spurgeon’s many outstanding sermons are still admired and quoted today.

In New England, Puritan founders had managed to produce a moral, well-educated, hardworking society with no real poverty issues. However, spiritual laxity had apparently become a big problem. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758, possibly best known for his message “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”) was prompted to strongly urge people to be reconciled with God.

In America, the first “Great Awakening” had significant impact, but eventually, people again settled into complacency. Under the direction of Francis Asbury, Methodist preachers began riding “circuits” in order to preach and evangelize the populace. And a second “Great Awakening” rolled over the country in the early 1800’s. Charles Finney is probably the most well-known name associated with this movement. Later, DL Moody was moved by the Spirit and Adoniram Judson is considered to be the Father of American Missions. By the early 1900’s, the US had moved to the forefront of the missionary movement.

Beginning in the early 1700’s and continuing in waves for approximately 200 years, tens of thousands of people around the world have been found by the Shepherd and repeatedly moved by His Spirit to preach, write, discover, sing, serve, heal, give, live and die in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior.

Even today, the Light of the Gospel message continues to penetrate into the darkest corners of the globe.

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Philadelphia in Israel:

The Jews were sent into captivity even after king Josiah took incredible measures to eliminate pagan worship in Judah. There is a double reckoning of subsequent 70 year captivities that occurred. And, when each of those time periods was fulfilled, Israelites were allowed to return to their land.

The first return was under Zerubbabel in 538. During the time of the prophet Haggai (537-6) the foundation for the new temple was laid.

There was an approximately 16 year-long interruption of the temple building process and the Temple was finally dedicated in 516. It was finished 30 years after the foundation was laid. (interesting parallel perhaps with Christ’s age at the time He began His public ministry–but I don’t want to speculate too much) This year also marked the end of the exile of 70 years that was foretold by Jeremiah.

A second return of Hebrews to their land occurred under Ezra in 458.

Under Nehemiah (who’s name means “comforted by Jehovah” or “God’s compassion”), the third return of Jews also appears to have happened around 458 BC.

The book of Nehemiah chronicles the rebuilding of the Wall that surrounds Jerusalem. Chapter 3 is particularly interesting as a historical focal point. I’m not going to post the whole thing, but wanted to point out the diversity of people who were involved. Beginning with v 1, Eliashib, the high priest (and his brothers who make reparations of the Sheep gate (interesting! as we are told Jesus is the Shepherd who is also the Narrow Gate). Eliashib means “whom God will restore”.

Then, goldsmiths, perfumers (v8 ), families, including women (v 12), Levites (v 17), priests (v 28) merchants (v 32). Various city officials are named throughout. The entire society was involved–and each group rebuilt a specific section of the wall right near where they lived!

Chapter 4 tells of mockery and threats of attack that the workers received. The people armed themselves, set up watchmen and continued to build.

In chapter 5, some Jews were reprimanded for taking financial advantage of their brothers during a time of hardship. Chapter 6: the wall is rebuilt but the gates were not set and one of Nehemiah’s enemies unsuccessfully tried four times to arrange a meeting in order to harm him. Then, the enemies spread lies that the Jews were planning a military revolt. The idea was to frighten them into abandoning the work of rebuilding. Then, a false prophet was hired by the enemies to deliver a disturbing message that was meant to scare Nehemiah away from his task.

Finally, the work was done and we can read in Nehemiah 7:1-4:

And it happened when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were chosen,
I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem. For he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
And I said to them, Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they stand by, let them shut and bar the doors. And set guards from the people of Jerusalem, each one in his watch, and each one to be across from his house.
And the city was large and great, but the people in it were few, and the houses not built.

Chapter 7 describes an accounting of those who had returned from the Babylonian captivity.

Chapters 8-10 show the recovery of God’s Law and it’s public reading, the people’s repentant response and a renewal of the Covenant. There’s a lot more here and I’m not qualified to interpret –but I believe it is possible that this book that may offer reference to human history and future right up until Christ’s return.

Mainly, I was focusing on the first 7 chapters (especially chapter 3) involving release from captivity, rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem (around 444 BC) and the devotion of all levels of citizens (wherever they happened to live in the city) to re-establishing what had been destroyed by the enemy. Also notable is the strong opposition to this little group and Nehemiah’s vigilance concerning the enemy’s tricks and traps.

Nehemiah 4’s call to arms echo’s Paul’s reference to spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6:10-18.

Of course, there have always been those who have been dedicated to serving God throughout history. But, I thought these two time periods have many similarities–and, they are both still in chronological order with the Revelation letters.

I’m trying to not twist facts or shove this down anyone’s throat. There sure seems to be a pattern, though.

Surely, it’s not just in my imagination?

***Note, Dates for this time period are as recorded by Professor Willis Beecher in his Dated Events of the Old Testament History

Rev 3:7-13

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts; and shuts and no one opens, says these things:
I know your works. Behold, I have given before you an open door, and no one can shut it. For you have a little strength and have kept My Word and have not denied My name.
Behold, I give out of those of the synagogue of Satan, those saying themselves to be Jews and are not, but lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation which will come upon all the habitable world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly. Hold fast to that which you have, so that no one may take your crown.
Him who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will go out no more. And I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God, and My new name.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The name of this church means “brotherly love” and it is the only other church besides persecuted Smyrna that is not in trouble. I’ll probably end up writing at length on why there is no reference to having “good doctrine” (or lack thereof) or the need to get busy and do some good deeds or burn some idols or what have you. But I think I’ll let Jesus explain first:

I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. As I have loved you, you should also love one another. John 13:34

As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you; continue in My love.
If you keep My commandments, you shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
I have spoken these things to you so that My joy might remain in you and your joy might be full.
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:9-14

See it?

If not, I’ll get around to explaining what I think is being said here.

First, I have to comment a bit because it’s pretty exciting and I have a big, fat keyboard.

A notable cross reference is Isaiah 22:20-24. I’m not exactly sure what all it means, but the language is similar to the beginning of the message and it looks as though Eliakim is yet another shadow representation of Christ.

And in that day it shall be, even I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah.
and I will clothe him with your robe, and will fasten your girdle on him, and I will give your authority into his hand. And he shall be a father to the people of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.
And the key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house.
And they shall hang on him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the offshoots, all small vessels, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of jars.
In that day, says Jehovah of Hosts, the nail that is fastened in the sure place shall be removed, and be cut down, and fall. And the burden that was on it shall be cut off. Jehovah has spoken.

Interestingly, the above is excerpted from a prophecy concerning Jerusalem. I read the whole chapter and think the first half or so appears to have a fascinating similarity to the three previous periods of church history I recently examined. There is a reference to God’s people depending “on the weapons of the house of the forest” (v 8 ) and later they are accused of not relying on God’s provision and strength (v11). They are called to repentance (v 12) but carry on as though there is nothing wrong. (v 13)

Another reference to “keys”:

And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Jesus answered and said to him, You are blessed, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father in Heaven.
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
And I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven to you. And whatever you may bind on earth shall occur, having been bound in Heaven, and whatever you may loose on earth shall occur, having been loosed in Heaven. (emphasis mine Matthew 16:16-19)

As in the letter to Smyrna, there is a reference to “Jews who are not Jews” and this “Synagogue of Satan” is apparently a serious offense to Christ. This is the second mention so I thought I’d better pay close attention.

I suspect it has something to do with Jesus telling the Jewish leaders they were of their father, the devil (John 8:44) and His mourning over Jerusalem when He said that it’s house was to be left desolate until He is recognized as Lord and Messiah (Matthew 23:38, Luke 13:35). In light of this statement, it might be wise to consider seriously the significance of firmly attaching one’s self to the political Zionist movement. I harbor no ill will toward Jewish people and believe Christians should be in prayer for the salvation of Jews just as we should any other group. And, we are called to love all–including our enemies. But Jesus appears to be making some very strong statements here concerning those who claim to be HIS chosen people but who have continued to deny (reject) His name.

Compare with Romans 10:12-13 (note there is both a reference to Jews and to calling on the name of the Lord here!):

For there is no difference both of Jew and of Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call on Him.
For everyone, “whoever shall call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Again, I’m not “anti-Jew”. But if a Jew is anti-Christ, there appears to be a serious identity problem going on. I’ll have to contemplate this for a while because it sure looks as though Jesus is saying that He will show rebellious, “fake” Jews who are His true chosen people…  I don’t want to be on the wrong side of that line.

Final observation about the text is that this church will be kept from the hour of temptation. No real light bulb moments here. But it makes sense that anyone who is fully focused on Christ is not likely to be tossed around by doubts and the cares of this world. Neither will they be easily led astray by false teaching or worldly lusts.

At any rate, Philadelphia looks as though it’s the next “phase” of growth for Christianity. They have kept God’s Word (logos, which is the same word used for “Word” in John 1:14, which says that the Word became flesh. And they have not denied (rejected) His name.

Which brings me back to the heart of what I think Jesus is saying to Philadelphia.

The people in Philadelphia get it! They aren’t vainly “searching the scriptures in order to find eternal life” (John 5:39) or engaging in mechanical, ritualistic (or idolatrous) worship and they don’t have an  inappropriate attachment to the things of this world.  They know Jesus personally and are actively loving others because of their relationship with Him. Likely, they are also in some way participating in what we call “The Great Commission” of Matthew 28:18-29.  See also the book of 1 John.

This church strongly resembles the Proverbs 31 woman. And she bears the distinguishing characteristics of  the “excellent wife” that Jesus is seeking.

Our Lord knows the works of the people of Philadelphia because He knows them–and they know Him. And, between the letter to Philadelphia and Jesus’ words to Peter, I gather that this church is unstoppable as it aggressively spreads the truth of Who He is to all the world.

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Well, those are my initial thoughts on this message. Will look at the potential connection to history ASAP.

Today’s looking to be busy.

Hopefully will be able to return to Revelation  soon.

Thought I’d offer a couple songs for the listening enjoyment of those who happen to wander into the waiting room  

So far, it appears Jesus has encouraged and chastised both the early church and the Roman Catholic.  As His bride continues to mature, more changes and growing pains occur.  This might be the post which inspires my Protestant friends to lob rotten produce in my direction.

Rev 3:1-6

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things. I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.
Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works being fulfilled before God.
Remember then how you have received and heard, and 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.
You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. And they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
The one who overcomes, this one will be clothed in white clothing. And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Well, the RCC didn’t want to reform from the inside, and, over the centuries, various groups had peeled away for assorted reasons.  At this point in history (around the beginning of the 15th century), God began pulling people out on a much larger scale.  Rumblings of reformation were felt when John Wycliffe (1329-1384) spoke out in England and John Huss  (1374-1415) was awakened in Bohemia (the Czech Republic).

And, the great Protestant Reformation began in earnest after Martin Luther (1483-1546) had a personal crisis concerning the security of his own soul.  Some of the Biblical truth which was recovered for the “common man” includes:

Justification by faith alone (Romans 1:16-17)

The priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9)

The authority of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16)

God was bringing people to clarifying recognition that He alone saves and it is only through His grace and faith in Jesus Christ that this salvation is accomplished.  There is no need for us to have (visible) human mediation between God and His people because Christ is ever before the Throne, interceding for those who have called on Him as Lord and Savior (1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 2:1 Hebrews).  Obviously, this would be a disturbing development to have occurred within a powerful organization that had been built around rituals, traditions, manipulation and income that supported the luxurious lifestyles of many of the church’s elite leaders.  Additionally, the spiritual darkness that Satan had been allowed to promote within this system was finally dispersing and his “citizens” began fleeing from his grasp en masse.

Like a spiritual earthquake, this revival of darkened souls shook the foundations of the Catholic Church and the pope launched his own Counter-Reformation in order to stem the tide of defection.  The branch of priests known as Jesuits was birthed at this time by a Spanish ex-soldier named Ignatius Loyola.  His  group was fiercely devoted to the pope and the Roman church and focused strongly on education as a means to retain current church members and woo back those who had been swept away by Protestantism.

Also at this time, the Inquisition was enlivened–particularly in Italy and Spain.  Terrorism and physical torture were frequently involved in obtaining confessions (real or contrived) of heresy.  The point was to put and keep the entire known world under Roman church dominion.

Many Protestants were of the  belief that the pope was “THE” Antichrist and responded violently in hopes that the overthrow of Romanism would usher in God’s Kingdom on earth. Both sides still did not seem to realize that Christ’s kingdom is not of this world (John 18:38) and it does not remotely resemble the political rule we have under any current earthly king.  He did not come to set up a “new” order of Levitical-style  priesthood with a pope or any other man acting as the “high priest” (Matthew 23:1-13).

Protestants and Catholics  often behaved very badly as the two sides clashed repeatedly around the main body of Europe,  England, Scotland, Ireland and the Scandinavian countries.  The Peasant’s Revolt (Germany, 1524-1525) and spread of false teaching and improper worship prompted Martin Luther to urge German princes to establish governmental control of religion. I’m sure his intentions were good.  But this showed incredibly poor judgment on his part.

With the founding of territorial churches, people were required by law to become members from infancy of whichever church had been instituted in the particular region into which they were born.  This tended to result in a cold formalism in Protestant worship practice.  Also, if people were simply ushered into a congregation regardless of whether they wanted to be there, it is easy to see how a large but lifeless (as per the message to Sardis) non-Catholic  “Christian” community could be built.

Henry VIII (ruled 1506-1547) headed up  the English branch of the Reformation.  But, it is highly doubtful whether he had any interest in worshiping the Lord in Spirit and in Truth.  He and the pope had a falling out when the pope refused to grant Henry a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, who had failed to give him the male heir he desired. They only had one baby (the future Catholic queen “Bloody Mary”) survive to adulthood.  He later  arranged execution for his second wife (Anne Boleyn) when she bore him a second unwanted daughter (Elizabeth).

While an English version of the Bible became readily accessible during this time, the King of England was now considered the head of the Church.  And really, Henry VIII was still plenty Catholic at heart.  In 1539, he had Parliament pass the Six Articles, which retained many vestiges of Roman teaching, including the doctrine of transubstantiation. The king also required preachers be licensed by the government and anyone who dared to speak out against the king as being a tyrant or heretic was charged with high treason. Many faced horrific forms of torture and murder under Henry’s rule.

By the time Henry VIII died, English Protestantism had been bound to the throne and true religious freedom was still not realized.

In Scotland,  John Knox (1505-1572) was a prominent Protestant voice and, despite Catholic opposition and political turmoil, reform appears to have made significant progress during this time of upheaval.

In the Netherlands, the Dutch Reformed Church was established in 1517 amid  bloody conflict with Catholic King Philip II.  By 1585, after intense suffering, the Dutch people had little hope of freeing themselves.  Henry VIII’s daughter ( Queen Elizabeth) aided the Dutch cause and the battles raged.  When the English defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, independence from Rome had become a palpable reality.

Elizabeth I’s successor James I (ruled 1603-1625) displayed supreme arrogance in his dual role as head of church and state.  At this time, English Protestantism strongly resembled Roman Catholicism with it’s hierarchical form of church government and holdover belief of apostolic succession.

The Thirty Year’s war (mainly Germany and the Holy Roman Empire but included other European countries. 1618-1648) continued to intermix  political motivations with the Protestant cause.

This stuff about the “state” interfering with God’s movement among His people  is really interesting when read in light of Daniel 11.  Particularly vs 33-36:

And those who understand among the people shall teach many; yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by exile, and spoil, for days.
And when they stumble, they shall be helped with a little help, but many will join them, with hypocrisy.
And many of those who understand shall stumble, to refine and purge them, and to make white, to the time of the end. Because it is still for the appointed time.
And the king shall do according to his will. And he shall exalt and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvelous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper until the fury is fulfilled. For that which is decreed shall be done.

Not sure whether it “fits” but it looks very similar to what’s going on at this time in church history, nonetheless.

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Optional OT history lesson 

Most likely parallel with Israel’s history is from the time of King Josiah’s recovery of God’s Law and the subsequent Great Reformation (See 2 Kings  23) through the time of Babylonian Captivity.  I’ll post a few highlights for consideration.

And the king went up into the house of Jehovah. And all the men of Judah and all the people of Jerusalem with him, and the priests and the prophets, and all the people, from the small even to the great. And he read all the Words of the Book of the covenant which was found in the house of Jehovah in their ears.
And the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before Jehovah, to walk after Jehovah and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the Words of this covenant which was written in this Book. And all the people stood to the covenant. v 2-3

He then burned the things which were used in idol worship, deposed the idolatrous priests, tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes, brought priests to Jerusalem, and desecrated the pagan “high places” which had been established.

King Josiah also desecrated Topheth, the pagan place of worship in Hinnom Valley, so that no one could sacrifice his son or daughter as a burnt offering to the god Molech. v 10

He removed the horses and burned the chariots that had been used in sun worship.

The altars which the kings of Judah had built on the palace roof above King Ahaz’ quarters, King Josiah tore down, along with the altars put up by King Manasseh in the two courtyards of the Temple; he smashed the altars to bits and threw them into Kidron Valley.
Josiah desecrated the altars that King Solomon had built east of Jerusalem, south of the Mount of Olives, for the worship of disgusting idols—Astarte the goddess of Sidon, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Molech the god of Ammon. v 12-13

He killed all the pagan priests on the altars where they served, and he burned human bones on every altar. Then he returned to Jerusalem. v 20

Getting a picture of how thorough and bloody this purging must have been?

I’m guessing Josiah was a shadow-type of Christ. He was a godly king and was passionate for Israel (now reduced to the two-tribe kingdom of Judah) to return to God.

There had never been a king like him before, who served the LORD with all his heart, mind, and strength, obeying all the Law of Moses; nor has there been a king like him since. (v 25)
And yet….   the LORD’s fierce anger had been aroused against Judah by what King Manasseh had done, and even now it did not die down.
The LORD said, “I will do to Judah what I have done to Israel: I will banish the people of Judah from my sight, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and the Temple, the place I said was where I should be worshiped.” v 26-27

I recently discovered that Judah’s  fall actually occurred in three phases.  There were three separate, subsequent captivities which happened under the reigns of Jehoiakim (607BC) Jehoiachin (597) and Zedekiah (586). And there is a double reckoning for the time period of the 70 year’s captivity.

So, after their amazing return to God, the Hebrews still had to spend time serving pagan overlords. I wonder how well that matches up with the decidedly ungodly kings which moved in to manage newly freed Protestant Christianity?
Looks like a pretty close match to me.

The Sardis letter is pretty short.

Rev 3:1-6 (MKJV)

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars says these things. I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.

Be watchful and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die. For I have not found your works being fulfilled before God.

Remember then how you have received and heard, and 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.

You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments. And they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

The one who overcomes, this one will be clothed in white clothing. And I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

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

Of all the messages, this one is probably the most disturbing to me.  And if any single passage of Scripture could convince me that salvation can be lost–this is it. The concept of having one’s name blotted from the book of life isn’t something to take lightly.  Here is something from the OT which closely resembles this concept:

“You know how we dwelt in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed; and you have seen their detestable things, their idols of wood and stone, of silver and gold, which were among them.
Beware lest there be among you a man or woman or family or tribe, whose heart turns away this day from the LORD our God to go and serve the gods of those nations; lest there be among you a root bearing poisonous and bitter fruit,
one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’ This would lead to the sweeping away of moist and dry alike.
The LORD would not pardon him, but rather the anger of the LORD and his jealousy would smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book would settle upon him, and the LORD would blot out his name from under heaven. (emphasis mine)
And the LORD would single him out from all the tribes of Israel for calamity, in accordance with all the curses of the covenant written in this book of the law. Deuteronomy 29:16-21

Compare the above with John’s words in Matthew 3:8-12 (I underlined the similarities)

Produce fruit that is consistent with repentance!
Don’t think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our forefather.’ For I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!
The ax already lies against the roots of the trees. So every tree not producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
I am baptizing you with water as a token of repentance, but the one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
His winnowing fork is in his hand. He will clean up his threshing floor and gather his grain into the barn, but he will burn the chaff with inextinguishable fire.”

I don’t believe the word to Sardis is actually a reference to loss of salvation, but rather to empty religion that has no life in Christ.  The OT language I highlighted in pink suggests the very type of situation Jesus encountered with the Jewish leaders.  They had attempted to grab hold of God’s promise to Israel without actually embracing the only Way that made it possible for the promise to be fulfilled to them.

When Jesus confronted the Pharisees, He completely blasted them for their claims about being righteous because they were children of Abraham. On the one hand, Christ acknowledged that they were physically descended from Abraham and that they were good at outwardly following rules—but then, He made a point of saying that they were NOT children of God (John 8:37-47).  The church at Sardis is apparently full of the type of people to whom Jesus spoke these words:

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful outside, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Matthew 23:27

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like unseen tombs and the men walking above are not aware of them.” Luke 11:44

And when the Pharisee saw it, he was amazed that He had not first washed before dinner.

And the Lord said to him, Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and the platter clean, but your inward part is full of plunder and wickedness.

Fools! Did not He who made the outside also make the inside? Luke 11:38-40

It is possible to lay claim to the title “Christian” without actually being reborn into God’s family.  Many of us want to hang onto having repeated a “sinners prayer”, getting baptized , doing good works, being active in a church organization, evangelizing and, to a lesser degree, raising our children a certain way, wearing certain types of clothing, avoiding certain risky behaviors etc.

Not one of those activities produces or ensures a “saved” status.

Jesus is passing a blood-chilling judgment over this church.  He recognizes it’s works but finds the works to be unfinished.  Not only that, but there is apparently a widespread problem concerning hypocrisy.  As a whole, Sardis has a  reputation for being alive but actually has little to no spark of true spiritual Life that only comes from believers who have an intimate relationship with Christ. The command to repent is issued, lest He come like a thief .

Compare this language with:

Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.
But know this, that if the householder had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into.
Therefore you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
Blessed is that servant whom his master when he comes will find so doing. Matthew 24:42-46

Now, I’ve seen this “coming as a thief” reference used as a description of a rapture scenario (which it might be).  But, in light of historical context, I’m not sure this is what He’s saying to the people of Sardis.  I’ll try to remember to elaborate on this a bit later.

But Jesus also says that a few individuals have not “soiled their garments”.  In Scripture, clothing often is used to signify “righteousness”.

The clothing of Christ’s bride (the church) is described here:

Let us be glad and rejoice and we will give glory to Him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has prepared herself.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white. For the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.  Revelation 19:7-8

Note that the “fine linen” is the righteousness of the saints, and that this privilege is given to her. Our deeds can only be counted as righteous if our “robes” have been washed in Christ’s blood.  (cf Revelation 7:13-14)

In other words, works appear to count.  But only if Jesus recognizes them as being things  He has prompted individual believers to do.  I believe this is why obedience to what we understand of Scripture is so important.  Does that make sense?

I didn’t really want to attempt writing a personal commentary that leans into interpretation, but it looks like I did here.  And it got long.  So the actual history segment will have to wait.