The Tale of 2 Churches

Revelation 3:1–13 “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. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 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. 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. 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. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Both Sardis and Philadelphia were in the same general area. Approximately 28 miles between the two.

Sardis was a military stronghold that was a city hard to defeat. It was located in the Hermus River valley; a major trade center in ancient times. We know it today at Turkey.

Philadelphia was not a major city like the other 6 mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3. It was on a route that made it good for both settlers and military personnel.

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 3

The city was known for its commercial and agricultural importance, particularly its grape crops, which made it known for wine making.

So both cities were fairly well industrialized. That did not make the difference

They were in the same geographic region. That did not make the difference.

God did not favor one over the other. Both had the same opportunities

Acts 10:34

They both had other religions to deal with

Philidelphia had...

Faithlife Study Bible Chapter 3

Its patron deity was Dionysus, god of wine. The city received permission to build a provincial temple, earning it the name Neocoros (meaning “keeper of the temple”)

Sardis had...

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Artemis

ARTEMIS (Ἄρτεμις, Artemis). Greek Goddess. Known as the virgin archer-huntress and a deity associated with nature, animals, and fertility. She was one of the twelve Olympians, and the twin sister of Apollo.

The difference was their walk with Christ. Both churches at one time were very strong but Sardis had allowed things to come in and did not follow Jesus the way they should have. Honestly, they probably were not far from being similar to the church at Laodocia.

Sardis was going through the motions with no care to do what Christ wanted them to do. They were instructed to repent so their name would not be blotted out of the book of like.

Matthew 24:42 “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.”

They were told to strengthen those things which were not dead that they may live.

However, there are those mentioned who were not dead. Christ told them to keep doing what they were doing and to be faithful and they would be clothed in white raiment.

The difference is their walk.