The Church of Sardis — 2021
A shocking Revelation from The LORD!
My wife and I are doing a study on The Book of Revelation.
It’s fairly intense and we’re actually learning quite a bit. The letters to the Churches are particularly interesting when you take time to break them down. For example, this morning, we studied The Church in Sardis.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”” Revelation 3:1-6 NKJV emphasis added.
Several things stood out for me, but one hit me like a hammer blow! “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” and I heard The LORD say, amazingly clearly, “This is the state of MOST of My Church today!”
I questioned this, “Surely not all of Your Church, LORD?” but…. He replied, “All but a Remnant!”
Read it for yourself — it’s all there in The Bible!
LORD, forgive our complacency!
Then He showed me a few Churches that ‘worship’ by rote, with rarely any Holy Spirit participation. I understood His meaning there.
Then He showed me active, lively Pentecostal Churches where The Holy Spirit was ‘welcomed’ — but seriously restricted — where prophecy is censored if it doesn’t fit the agenda, where healing is only encouraged when a visiting speaker comes by, where deliverance is actually feared more than practiced.
What could I say?
I heard the rest of the passage as it was written,
“Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.
Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
You have a few names even in Sardis (Church name) who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
LORD, forgive our complacency!
~ Chris G. Bennett
Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.
John’s letters to the churches are very prophetic and revelant pieces of the puzzle that make up the times we live in. I am so glad that the letters to Philadelphia and Laodicea give us hope. Dutch Sheets has maintained that Pennsylvania ( Philadelphia is in this US state and was where the framers signed the “Declaration of Independence” ) is a key to the great awakening spreading across this land. Also the letter to laodicea speaks to a “faithful remnant”that is interceding all around the world!
I enjoyed reading your blog, and signed up 4 more. My church, PLBC, has been studying Revelations too & look forward to reading more brother. Stay safe, and will speak 2 u again, if the LORD wishes it.
Steven
Dear Sir, thank you for this exhorting, encouraging word. I too, had to repent and say, “Lord have mercy on us your people for being complacent!!’ starting with me, and forgive us. AND NOW WE MUST CONTINUE TO ACT ON OUR REPENTANCE.
–in His love and partnership with you and all those who call on Him in truth.