Lesson 4 - The Seven Churches: Sardis & Philadelphia
1. What special period was covered by the church of Thyatira?— The days of papal supremacy. — This was during the time of papal supremacy, which was in 538-1798 AD.
2. What great event prepared the way for a new era in the church? —The Reformation. Note 1. — The great event is the Reformation. Many names that have impacted the church are during this era, like John Wycliffe, the morning star of the Reformation and the translator of the Bible. Huss and Jerome, who protested against the corruption of the Roman Catholics at time of the Dark Ages, and were burned to death.
3. By what church of Asia was the next, or fifth, period of the history represented? Rev. 3:1, first part. Note 2. — We are now introduced to the church of Sardis, which is described as those who liveth, but art dead.
4. How is this church addressed? Verse 1. — Sardis, meaning ‘song of joy’ or ‘that which remains’. The reason why is because the church previous to Sardis was promised none other burden, so the church of Sardis is relieved and rejoices. The church of Sardis is known as the church that is dead, but is alive. This characteristic is represented by Eve, when she had fallen into temptation from eating of the Tree of Good and Evil. She was still alive because of the oxygen that was provided by God and the plan of redemption, but was dead spiritually because she had fallen into sin.
5. Would the Lord have His people rest satisfied in partial reformation? Verse 2. — No, partial is never okay with God. You are either fully reformed or you are fully of the world. You are to strengthen your faith and be faithful even unto death, that is what is expected to work for God.
6. What is the exhortation and warning? Verse 3. Note 3. — What they have received, heard, and know, they are to continue to hold fast and repent. If they do not watch, Jesus will come to them as a thief, for they will not know what day nor the hour he will come.
7. To what sad state had trust in high profession brought the church of Sardis? Verse 4. — The sad thing about the church of Sardis is that only a few names in the time of this church have not defiled their garments, and are worthy.
8. Toward what event does the promise to the overcomer point in the Sardis stage of the church? Verse 5. Note 4. — The promise that is given to the one who overcomes is that they will be clothed in white raiment, and their name in the book of life will not be blotted out, instead his name will be confessed to the Father and his angels.
9. What is still the call? Verse 6. — The same call that was given to the previous churches, which is to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
10. What name expresses the special characteristic of the next, or sixth, stage of the church? Verse 7. Note 5. — We are now introduced to the church of Philadelphia, which is the church of “brotherly love”. 11. How is the speaker here described? Verse 7. Note 6. — The speaker is described as him who is holy, is true, has the key of David, he that openeth and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth. This refers to Jesus entering from the Holy Place to the Most Holy Place, because that is his final work in the heavenly sanctuary. 12. What had He done for the church? Verse 8. Note 7. — He leaves a door open to the Most Holy Place that no man can shut, because he is now starting his work of judgement, where the ark of the covenant resides, which shines on God’s people. 13. What assurance is given the advent believers? Verse 10. — The assurance given to the church of Philadelphia is that because they have kept the word of God’s patience, he will also keep them from the hour of temptation which will come upon the whole world, to give test and trial to them that dwell on the earth.
14. What is the hope held forth and the exhortation? Verse 11. — They are to hold fast to what they know and continue in them, so that no man can take their crown.
15. What is the ever-ringing call to every man? Verse 13. — To him that have an ear, they are to hear what the Spirit saith unto the seven churches. That means as we continue to understand and read the messages revealed in the book of Revelation, we are to hear.
16. What influence has the genuine advent hope upon the life? 1Jn. 3:3. — Those who have genuine advent hope which means hope in the second coming of Christ, they will purify themselves which is to be cleansed with the washing of the water by the Word (Eph 5:26), and they will be sanctified and that is the will of the Father.
What I have learned this past week is about the churches of Sardis and Philadelphia. Sardis means “what remains”, because the previous church, Thyatira, was heavily oppressed and was not able to worship their true God freely. The church of Sardis is the product of that. With only but a few who did not defile their garments and are worthy, not many know of the message of God. But He continues to encourage them to continue with what they know, and hold fast, for there will be no other burden, in which they rejoice to. But the church of Sardis is also known as the church that is dead, and is alive. The reason why is because although they are alive physically, they are dead spiritually because most have rejected Christ. This characteristic is represented by Eve, when she had fallen into temptation from eating of the Tree of Good and Evil. She was still alive because of the oxygen that was provided by God and the plan of redemption, but was dead spiritually because she had fallen into sin.
Then we see the church of Philadelphia, the second and last church that was given no reproof. They are known as the church of “brotherly love”, which is the second to last step of Peter’s ladder. The church of Philadelphia is the start of God’s work of judgement, starting from the dead because Jesus has entered from Holy Place to Most Holy Place. This church is also reminded to hold fast to what they know and continue, so that no man can take their crown. Their works of keeping the word of His patience have been recognized by God, and He, in return, will keep them from the hour of temptation which will be given to the entire world to give trial and judgement upon them. What I have learned that can be applicable into our daily lives is that we must not follow how the church of Sardis was given reproof for. They were dead, yet alive, meaning that they have physical life from the oxygen that God has given, but they are dead spiritually because they have fallen into sin. As we continue unveiling the messages that are given to the seven churches, we must understand and put to practice what has been commended for, because we too, want the gifts that are promised to these seven churches, and that is the crown and eternal life. We should continue to hold fast to what we know and overcome, so that we too can receive the new Jerusalem.