Part 3 (1/2)
28. And I will give him the morning star.
29. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
To this congregation Christ manifests himself in the character of him ”who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet like fine bra.s.s,” denoting the fact that he is the great discerner of all hearts and that he is able to render unto every man according to his deeds.
Whether the expression, ”his feet like fine bra.s.s,” has any particular signification, I am unable to say.
This letter opens with a commendation of the works, the charity, the service, and the faith of this church. In these things they had made considerable advancement. Nevertheless, Christ had something against them, because they had suffered ”that woman Jezebel” to teach false doctrines and to seduce the servants of Christ to compromise with idolatry and to commit fornication. It is improbable that Jezebel was her real name; but she was a Jezebel in character, named in this letter after King Ahab's wicked wife, who killed the Lord's prophets, seduced her husband into idolatry, and fed the priests of Baal at her own table.
Some have supposed that this appellation designated a number or cla.s.s of people teaching these doctrines; but the manner in which ”her children,”
or disciples, are spoken of would seem rather to point out a particular woman--one who was a leader and the chief instrument of mischief.
The long-suffering of Christ had been manifested in this case. He had given her an opportunity to repent of her evil deeds, but she would not.
Now he declares that he will cause his judgments to descend upon her and her followers. By casting her into a bed is doubtless meant that he would bring her down upon a bed of sickness and pain and thus make her a most distressing object. Her partners in sin were to suffer ”great tribulation,” and ”her children,” or disciples, he would kill with death, or deadly pestilence. Thus would this whole corrupt party be visited with divine judgments according to their works; while their great pretensions to wisdom and discernment, ”as they speak,” or as they term it, will be shown to be nothing but the ”depths of Satan.”
The frequent references to these gross sins in the letters to the churches may seem a little strange to us in the altered circ.u.mstances of society in which we live; but when we consider the tone of public sentiment and the prevalence of idolatry at that time, it will be seen that the lapse into these sins was very easy. Some compromised with the heathen by joining in their idolatrous feasts, maintaining that the meat was not affected one way or the other, and this proved but a stepping-stone to the licentious principles and the corrupt practises of those with whom they thus a.s.sociated.
The remainder of this letter is full of encouragement to the faithful.
The only burden Christ placed upon them was a severe censure because they tolerated that abominable party in their midst. They were exhorted to continue faithful and were promised power over the nations. These they should rule with a rod of iron, the same as Christ, who received this power from his Father. The law, or rod, with which Christ, and his people with him, as _kings_ and priests, rule the nations is the word of G.o.d, the most unyielding law, based upon the greatest authority, ever written. ”Let the saints be joyful in glory ... let the high praises of G.o.d be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand; to execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; to bind their kings with chains, and their n.o.bles with fetters of iron; to execute upon them the _judgments written_: this honor have _all his saints_.” Psa. 149:5-9.
CHAPTER III.
And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of G.o.d, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
2. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before G.o.d.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Sardis was one of the chief cities of western Asia Minor. It was beautifully situated on the river Pactolus, in the middle Hermus valley, at the foot of Mount Tmolus, and was once the capital of the kingdom of Lydia, the place of residence of Croesus and other Lydian kings. It was a city of great opulence and splendor, and ”distinguished for the voluptuous and debauched manners of its inhabitants.”
To this church Christ introduces himself as ”he that hath the seven Spirits of G.o.d, and the seven stars”--that is, he has control of the Holy Spirit's agency and of his ministers. Thus, the great spiritual agencies of the church are in his keeping to bestow or to take away as he pleases. Considering the dead condition of this church of Sardis, it was very appropriate for Christ thus to address himself to them. He has no words of commendation to offer, no works of charity, service, faith, and patience of which to approve. They had works, but these were not ”perfect before G.o.d.” They were threatened with sudden visitation, as unexpected as a thief breaking in unawares upon the slumbering inmates of a dwelling in the still hours of night. Their condition was different from that of any of the churches before mentioned. They are not charged with such vile practises as prevailed at Pergamus and Thyatira, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans had gained no foothold among them, yet their works were not perfect. ”Thou hast a name that thou livest, and are _dead_.” They had maintained the external form of religion, but the vital power of G.o.dliness was lacking.
Although Christ could not commend this church as a body, on account of their lack of spirituality, yet he testified, ”Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments.” In the midst of all the cold formalism of professors and surrounded by worldliness and iniquity, a few preserved their Christian integrity and were approved by the Lord. ”Pure religion and undefiled before G.o.d and the Father is this ... to keep himself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27. All such overcomers have the promise of being clothed in white raiment (”the righteousness of saints ”--chap. 19:8) and of having their names preserved in the ”book of life” in heaven and confessed before the Father and the holy angels. Wondrous admission into the heavenly realm!
Presented to the Father and the innumerable hosts of heaven _by the Lord, himself_, there, amid sacred environments, to enjoy the transcendent felicity of eternal blessedness! ”They are worthy,” saith Christ.
Although this church was threatened with sudden visitation, there is no hint given of the manner in which this should be fulfilled, for the reason, perhaps, that it might be all the more unexpected. The church has long since pa.s.sed out of existence. The city itself has lain in ruins for centuries, the modern village of Sart composed of a few huts inhabited by semi-nomadic Yuruks alone remaining near the ancient site.
Cattle now graze on gra.s.sy plains once traversed by streets and thronged with the inhabitants of this superb metropolis.
7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8. I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.