Keraia
Revelation 3

Revelation 3:1

To the Church in Sardis · Revelation 3:1–6
Read Revelation 3

Translations

Modern
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.
Traditional
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.
Literal
“ And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: These things says the One having the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead.
Latin
Et angelo ecclesiæ Sardis scribe: Hæc dicit qui habet septem spiritus Dei, et septem stellas: Scio opera tua, quia nomen habes quod vivas, et mortuus es.

Original

Greek
English
“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of the One who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation for being alive, yet you are dead.

Notes

Revelation 3:1

  • Sardis was about 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Smyrna on the southeast highway from Pergamum and Thyatira. It was home to a large community of wealthy Jews. They were called “Sephardic” because this name came from an ancient name for the city. The city also had a strong, fortified acropolis, which often gave its people too much confidence in their own safety.

  • Other churches may have thought the Christians in Sardis were active and strong. However, their focus on worldly life showed that they lacked true spiritual life.

Revelation 3:1–6

The letter to the church in Sardis warns Christians who seem spiritually alive but are actually dead. Without true change, they will face God's judgment.

Revelation 2:1–3:22

The seven messages to the seven churches show the condition of Christ's church when Revelation was written, and it is similar today. God still calls Christians to be faithful and honest. Those who listen to Christ's message will receive God's promised rewards. Those who do not will face judgment.

Places

Sepharad: City in Asia Minor; destination of exiled Jews

Glossary

Ancient Letter Writing Angels of the Seven Churches Book of Revelation Numbers and Numerology Sardis Spirit of Jesus Christ

Topics

Angel of the Churches: General Scriptures Concerning Church: Backslidden Church: Christ, Head of Church: List of Congregations of Christians: Sardis Lukewarmness: Sardis Sardis: One of the Seven Congregations In Seven Spirits Seven: Miscellany of Sevens: Seven Spirits Seven: Miscellany of Sevens: Seven Stars Spiritual Death: Hypocrisy Is Spiritual Life: Hypocrites Destitute of Wicked (People): Warned