Sardis

The fifth church is Sardis. In the salutation, Jesus reminds the church that he holds the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars. He is reminding them of his authority. He has power to bless, and power to bring judgment. Their place, and effect, in the world is a result of their relationship to him.

The church has a reputation for life. But that is not true. It is like a church who has a lively, well-attended, Sunday morning, but has no walk with God the rest of the week. God encourages them to wake up. To share the gospel. To demonstrate God's character by acting in love. To move into a life of obedience. He urges them to remember what they have been taught.

There are some who really follow God among them. And those who live, like they do, are the overcomers. God will judge them worthy of walking with him. Their names will be listed in God's Book of Life. And Jesus will announce their names before God's throne, and to all the angels.

Jesus will remember a life of faithfulness, a life of love, and service, in the background, without being noticed.