SARDIS, THE FIFTH by M. C. W.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 19, 1888

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 14, No. 40.

SARDIS, THE FIFTH

By M. C. W.

THE SEVEN CHURCHES. NO. 6.

SARDIS, THE FIFTH.

"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. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die; for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; 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 that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." Rev. 3:1-6.

"Sardis" signifies "prince or song of 'oy." It evidently refers to the church of Christ, since the days of Papal persecution, continuing as a distinctive and recognized church till about 1840, but recognized as a class down to the coming of Christ.

Christ presents himself through his Holy Spirit, as the ever-present One, as the One who controls the angels, or ministers of the churches. He had looked down into Sardis. He had seen her power, her progress, her widespread influence, her popularity, her connection with the world, her love of great men and great titles. His discerning eye penetrated beneath the surface. He knew the motives and works of Sardis. He had weighed them in the balances of his word and found them wanting. Instead of keeping their "garments" "unspotted from the world," the people of God had become "defiled" by connection with it. Sardis had formed friendship with the world and had lost her connection with God (James 4), and spiritual life had departed. She had a name to live. Her founders were men of God; she professed a connection with the living Vine; but she was dead—dead, and knew it not.

It is to this time that the words of the apostle apply: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,

disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof." 2 Tim. 3:1-5.

Our Saviour refers to the same time when he says: "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Matt. 24:12. Such has been the condition of the popular churches to a greater or less extent during the last fifty years or more; and the reason of this is that they have refused to walk in the light. The State churches of Europe after having taken some steps of advancement refused to come farther out of the Papal wilderness of error. But when they failed to make progress, God raised up Wesley and others who led the faithful forward into greater light and more simplicity. But even these followers of the Reformers ceased to advance, paused, till Wesleyans, Calvinists, Lutherans, and others have forsaken the principles of their founders, and settled on their lees.

God has great and mighty truths to be given to the world to prepare a people for the coming of Christ, but Sardis heeds them not. God warns her, "Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee."

The churches of the Reformation and those also of later times were builded upon principles which were in the main right principles. The declaration which was made by nearly all, that the Bible and the Bible alone was the only standard of faith and morals, was based upon truth. This is how Sardis "received," but she departed into creed-cleft paths, and instead of walking in the constantly increasing light of God's word, she rested on the tradition of error. The injunction was to gather up the little truth possessed, to repent of her past sins, and hold fast in the way, else Christ would come to her "as a thief." This coming is not the coming of Christ in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God, as foretold in Matt. 24:30; 1 Thess. 4:16, etc. That coming will not be to any as the coming of a thief. It is with all the pomp and display of the conqueror. The coming "as a thief" is when he comes to close the probation of man, when Christ leaves his mediatorial seat, lays aside his priestly robe, and comes in before his Father to receive his kingdom. See Dan. 7:13, 14; Luke 19:12. Christ comes to reckon with and judge his servants, before his reward is given; for only those receive reward who are "accounted worthy." Luke 20:35. At the close of this work, all cases will forever be decided. Rev. 22:11, 12. It is at the close of probation; it is at the beginning of the great day of God's wrath. The careless, unsuspecting "know not;" the faithful watching ones know. 1 Thess. 5:1-3.

How fitly this description of Sardis represents the condition of our Protestant churches! The Bible as a guide is treated a thing of the past. Men walk in the imagination of their own heart, or according to the dictation of corrupt and defiled consciences. Conscience is elevated above the plain command of God. Men count God as not particular, but "such an one as themselves." Ps. 50:21.

But, thank God, the picture is not a universal one. There are a "few names in Sardis which have not defiled their garments,"—precious souls in all the various denominations who have kept themselves "unspotted from the world." God recognizes their worth. They do not possess a complete knowledge of the truth; they are not yet out of the wilderness of error and tradition; but they have kept to what truth remained. They have "sighed and cried for all the abominations which are done" in the midst of the professed flock of Christ (Eze. 9); and God will bring them out into the light, and fit them for his kingdom, where they will walk with him in white.

The reward to the overcomer is most precious and fitting. The many defiled their garments in the world, the few defiled them not. Christ will clothe his faithful ones in the white raiment of his perfect righteousness. Their names will not be blotted out of the book of life, that is, they will be entitled to eternal life. The book of life contains the names of the children of God. When men first accept of the terms of salvation their names are written therein, and will be retained if they meet the conditions and are faithful unto the end. This is evident from Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3; and Heb. 12:23. Those who are faithful do not have their names blotted out. Those who are unfaithful do. Ps. 69:28. As the names of all who have become connected with Christ, come in review before him in the investigation which must precede their final sentence, those who have been unfaithful, those who have failed to take up their ever-coming crosses, will have their names forever blotted out of the book of life. They are unfaithful servants whose portion will be with the hypocrites and unbelievers. Matt. 25:30. But the faithful, some of whom have had their names erased from the records of proud and popular churches, because they followed the light, those who have borne the cross of Christ, which crucifies the flesh and the world, those who have confessed his name and despised the shame, will not have their names blotted out from Heaven's member registry. Christ confesses their names and proclaims them his children before the assembled hosts of Heaven, and blots out all their sins forever. Acts 3:19.

Therefore, fellow-Christian be of good courage. All with whom you are connected may have a name to live and be dead. But do thou hold fast. Turn away from those who have a "form of godliness," but deny Christ and his power. Hold fast the word of his grace, and the promises to the overcomer are yours. The assurances of God are given to all those who comply with the conditions. Then "he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." M. C. W.