The Church of Sardis

Revelation

of

Jesus

'...These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars..'(Rev3:1)

The seven Spirits are before the throne of God, there is only one Holy Spirit, but there are seven Spirits in that one Spirit. We read of these seven spirits, that they are the seven eyes of the Lamb of God.' And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes which are the seven spirits of God, send forth into all the earth'(Rev5:6).

'Eyes' point to the knowledge or wisdom. Paul prayed that God 'May give...the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of....Understanding being enlightened..'(Ephesians1:17-18)

'Horns' refer to the overcoming power of God (Luke1:69) (Ps132:17) (Ps92:10) .so the seven Spirits show perfect wisdom and power of God, the two main attributes of God, therefore Paul says,' but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God'(1cor1:24)

By revealing Himself as the perfect power and wisdom of God, the Lord wants to make the Church understand that going on unto perfection is a possibility through Him. If the Church is to go on unto perfection, the Holy Spirit should work in it with all his gifts. These gifts of the Spirit can be divided into two groups- gifts of  Power and gifts of wisdom. Many do not permit the Holy spirit to work in them mightily and there fore they cannot go on unto perfection

The Seven Stars speak of the gifts of Christ which are the offices in the Church. to lead the church to perfection in addition to the nine gifts of the Holyspirit,we are given prophets; and some evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry , for ht edifying of the body of Christ'(Ephesians4:11-12)

If we do not aim at the perfection, and believe the possibility of it, we cannot be raptures or be acceptable at the coming of the Lord.

Reproach

'...I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest and art dead... I have not found thy works perfect before God'(Rev3:1-2)

The Lord knows the condition of the church. we were once dead in trespasses and sins. The Lord saved us and created us in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians2:1-10) when we backslide, we are considered dead.(Jude12).All our Christian activities will not be found perfect before God. Jeremiah says, 'Cursed is the that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully'. There fore we are asked 'to arise from the dead' that Christ may give us light(Ephesians5:14)

'Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to due..'(Rev3:2) 

unless we are watchful and help and strengthen those who are weak, He will come upon us as a thief, not as a Bridegroom

Reward

'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'(Rev3:5)

'Clothed in white raiment': This denotes the righteousness of the saints. We read of the bride; 'And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white; for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints' (Rev19:8)

Christ did the whole will of God, therefore He was found righteous in His sight. When we do the will of God, we shall also be clothed with His righteousness and be commended before the Father and the angels.