The Return of Jesus is SURE! The time of that Return is UNSURE! Therefore, we must be ready!

Our Text …

“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 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. 5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. “

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I thought this quote was interesting …

As the Lord “found” some even in Sodom who were “righteous” … so does He even at Sardis!

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Jesus had no complaints to the Church in Smyrna …

And Jesus had no commendations for the Church in Sardis!

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Walking with the Lord? (Verse 4)

Only two men that I can find are specifically said to do this! Enoch (Genesis 5:22) and Noah (Genesis 6:9)! What a promise Jesus made here to some at Sardis!

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Eight times (8) in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 the verb “repent” (or “repented”) appears. And this Counsel is for those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ!

Sinners must repent to be saved!

Believers must repent to stay in fellowship!

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The majority in Sardis have defiled their garments! (A word picture for living sinful lives.) A few have not defiled their robes!

But in Laodicea, the members of that Church were “naked,” Jesus says!

Revelation 3:17 … Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked …

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The dead Church … but a few of its people are promised by our Lord …

“I will not blot out his (or her) name out of the book of life.”

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We are going to talk more about that “Book of Life” in a subsequent Class, the Lord willing.

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Now, here’s the entire video Class …

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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