View source for (tm) The church in Sardis is an example

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Here was a Christian church with a reputation for being alive (Revelation 3:1). This suggests it was a growing, vital congregation or group of congregations. No doubt the church in Sardis, as well as the six other churches in Asia, represented many Christian believers.

What did Christ state concerning the church in Sardis? Did He say (as sometimes is stated or implied in the Christian churches of our day) that the works of the members did not matter because they were saved by grace, being filled with imputed (ascribed) righteousness? This is the assumption undergirding the concept that every person who is saved will participate in the first resurrection.

Christ spoke different things to each of the seven churches in Asia. But one statement was made to all (King James Version): "I know thy works."

The Christian churches of today stress the profession of faith. Christ stresses the works of the Christians. This difference in emphasis has the most profound implications imaginable for the Christian people of our day.

Christ said to the Christians in Sardis: "I have not found thy works perfect before God."

Again: "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" (Revelation 3:4).

"Thou hast a few names."

Can we infer from this that the majority of the Christians in Sardis were not worthy to walk with Christ in white? Can we assume also that in the churches in Asia a clear distinction was made between those who overcame unrighteousness and those who did not?

Are we to understand that the rewards are based on righteous conduct, on holy behavior, on an attitude and practice of obedience to God?

Every chapter of the Book of Revelation means exactly what it says. The Book of Revelation is bound with a curse because the Lord knew the severity of the Christian discipleship would be challenged in the last days, as indeed is happening, and that deception would abound (Revelation 22:18,19).

We have taught thus far that only the victorious saints in Sardis are worthy, because of their conduct as Christians, to walk with Christ in white. We have stated also that no promise of Revelation, Chapters Two and Three is given on the basis of a profession of faith in Christ. All are given on the basis of Christ-filled righteous works on the part of the believer in Christ.

Now we return to Revelation, Chapter 20, to the passage that describes the rewards and status assigned to those who participate in the first resurrection from the dead. Let us look at it carefully. 

And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4-6)

Those who participate in the first resurrection sit on thrones. Judgment is given to them. They live and reign with Christ. They are blessed. They are holy. The second death has no authority over them. They are priests (robed in white) of God and of Christ.
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