To the angel of the church in Sardis write:
He who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars, says this: ‘I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are alive, and yet you are dead. Be constantly alert, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die; for I have not found your deeds completed in the sight of My God. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Then if you are not alert, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you. But you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their garments; and they will walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. The one who overcomes will be clothed the same way, in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. The one who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Sardis is 35 miles from Thyatira and like the other cities, had a messenger who dispatched the letter to the saints living in Sardis. The author is identified by one of the descriptions already given in chapter one. He is the one that has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars. The stars represent the messengers (1:16, 20). Seven, which is a complete number, is often used in the Revelation of Jesus Christ. He has all spiritual powers as He is God.
Following the pattern in all letters, there is a commendation or compliment that precedes any negative statement. Unfortunately, no commendation is given to Sardis. Again, he states that He knows their works that have the appearance that they are spiritually alive. He knows the truth about them, however. He is not deceived. They are, in fact, dead. Some professed Christians have a show of godliness as they maintain religious formalities but they deny the power of godliness ( 2 Tim. 3:5).
Two sections of warning are given to Sardis. First, he says to be watchful and establish the things that remain but are on the verge of dying. No works were perfected or complete. For that reason, no commendation could be given to them. Still, there was some life remaining. They are hanging on by a thread and must bring their works to completion. Second, he tells them to remember how they had received and heard as they recall the words taught to them, obey them, and repent. If they failed to maintain their vigilance and focus in their restoration to good health, He would come against them in judgment like an unannounced thief.
Despite the spiritual condition of the majority in Sardis, there were a few who had not defiled their garments and will walk with Him in white. They are worthy for they had walked worthy of the gospel (cf. Phil. 1:27). The judgment of God is not dispensed on local church organizations but on individual souls. While a majority had returned to the god of this world (cf. 2 Peter 2:22), other individuals had not. The called out (ekklesia, Gr.) living in Sardis were made up of individuals, some of whom had not soiled their garments and were worthy to enter the great wedding feast (cf. Matt. 22:11-14). These, along with others who would repent are the “overcomers” who will be arrayed in white garments, and whose name will not be blotted out of the book of life. He addresses them in the third person singular in verses 5-6. Christ promises the overcomers that He will confess the name of each one of them before His angels (cf. Matt. 10:32-33).