The Church in Sardis is the fifth of the Seven Churches of Revelation. The Church in Sardis represented a church living after a time of revival, when the people were becoming content with their name and reputation, and were no longer advancing in truth and life.
Historically, it especially points to the time after the Protestant Reformation, and the various revivals that kept the Protestant bodies spiritually alive, had passed. Irving especially felt that the messages spoken to Sardis applied to the churches of his day.
Christ offered this church a good name before God and an unspotted robe because they were settling for a name and character that was spoken well of, among men. In short, the churches were seeking human praise and approval, and a humanly-approved standard of character, instead of the honor that comes from God alone. 227p
Contents
- Introduction
- The Style of the Chief Shepherd
- The Glory of a Name
- The Voice of the Majority
- Witnesses of the Lord’s Coming
- Historical Background
- Our High Priest’s Style or Designation
- The Seven Spirits
- The Seven Stars
- The Instructions to the Angel of the Church
- A Good Name
- Watchfulness
- Strengthening What Remains
- The Standard of Perfection
- Remember How You Received
- Hold Fast and Repent
- The Threatening
- What It Means to Watch
- The Time of Accountability
- The Results of Not Watching
- As a Thief
- The Results of Watching
- The Nature of the Evil
- The Approbation
- A Worthy Name
- Pure Garments
- The Meaning of Garments
- The Spirit’s Exhortation and Promise
- The Voice of Popular Opinion
- Pertaining to Church Order
- The White Raiment
- The Book of Life
- Conclusion
- Sonnets
