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Daily Devotions

Revelation

Revelation 
Day 
Day 28

"Hold fast and repent"

Text: Revelation 3:3

REMEMBEERING AND REPENTING

The Church at Sardis had heard the message of the Lord and His gospel. The lessons they had received appeared to have been forgotten. The church was slipping away and losing its steadfastness of faith.

“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.”
Revelation 3:3-4

1. The Call to Remember.

a) Sardis had heard the Gospel and had responded well initially.

b) A church had been established for the believers in Sardis.

c) But because of the attractions at Sardis:

i) Wealth

ii) Luxury

iii) A soft life

d) The Church was becoming like the world.

e) It had not learned how to be steadfast in faith.

2. The added Call to Repent.

a) This call was to repent from being complacent.

b) Sardis had not been watchful but careless in the past.

i) It was captured once by the Persians under Cyrus (549 BC).

ii) Many years later, history repeated itself when Antiochus III captured the slothful city (214 BC).

iii) Sardis could be caught unawares when the Lord returns as a thief in the night.

3. A few faithful names.

a) Mercifully, there were still a few upright ones in the Church at Sardis.

b) They had not defiled their garments.

4. Garments

a) They symbolised the life of the wearer.

b) The colour white:

i) It was the colour of purity.

ii) It was also the colour of victory for the Romans.

iii) It was the colour of one who has been deemed worthy.

c) If the faithful continue to be steadfast:

i) The Lord would give them white garments.

ii) They would be given the privilege to walk with Him.

iii) They have proven themselves that they have walked worthily of their calling.