In our study of "The Seven Lamps of Yahweh," we have been concentrating upon achieving a broader understanding of the seven assemblies of Revelation chapters 2 and 3. We have seen some very outstanding lessons being taught by the Messiah to these seven assemblies. Located in what was known at that time as the Roman province of Asia, the members of these assemblies comprised the remnants of the Apostolic Assembly. These lessons are most pertinent for the Assemblies of Yahweh members in our time, the era of turmoil that is to characterize the end of the age in which we are now living. Just as they have always encouraged True Worshipers down through the ages, these mini-epistles (small letters) are instructive for Yahweh’s people today. THEY ARE IN FACT ESPECIALLY PERTINENT FOR TODAY JUST PRIOR TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BEAST SYSTEM AND THE SECOND COMING OF THE MESSIAH.

Let us note several significant points in a brief review before we begin this article. If you will glance quickly over the text of Revelation chapters 2 and 3, you will notice that each one of these mini-epistles contains the challenge, "He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies."

Anyone who reads these messages or has ears to hear them read and listens, should be hearing the voice speaking to us from the pages of the Bible. This would be the challenge of Messiah’s address to each one of the assemblies. Each person should hear and heed His words. Notice Psalm 103:20. "Bless Yahweh, you his angels, That are mighty in strength, that fulfill his word, listening to the voice of his word."

Furthermore, these early New Testament assemblies that have come to believe in the Messiah and are designated as the lamps to their community or era, is asked to receive some additional instructions. The lamps to their communities mean that they must be a medium for shining or reflecting the light of Yahweh’s Torah (Law) to those around them. "Your word is a lamp unto my feet, And light to my path." (Psalm 119:105). We find virtually an identical expression in Proverbs 6:23, "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life." In Matthew 5:14 we read, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid." In Romans 2:17 we notice that in the Apostolic Assembly, those who are spiritual Jews must serve as the lights to the world as they obey the Covenant of Yahweh for an example to those around them.

Revelation 3:1-6 contains a rather short letter to the assembly at Sardis. Just looking over this passage you would imagine that there could not be very much that we could consider. Yet, within these short six verses we can perceive several great lessons that Yahshua the Messiah has in store for us.

"And to the angel of the assembly in Sardis write:

"These things says he that has the seven spirits of Elohim, and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and you are dead. You be watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of yours perfected before my Elohim. Remember therefore how you have received and did hear; and keep it, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will come as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you. But you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments: and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy. He that overcomes shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies." (Revelation 3:1-6).

Are you listening? This Sardis letter applies to each one of us in a very important, significant, and pertinent way! Sardis is listed as #4554 in the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Greek Dictionary, and is said to be of an unknown derivative. Perhaps as some of the commentators assert, it comes from #4556, sardios, a precious stone or a gem. We have learned that the precious stones and gems symbolize sound doctrine. In other words, this assembly has received the sound doctrine of the Word of Yahweh. A sardius was a very hard, deep orange-red chalcedony, one of the precious stones set into the high priest’s breastplate. In Exodus 28:17, we find that it appeared in the first row of precious gems in the high priest’s breastplate.

The city of Sardis was the governing city of the ancient country of Lydia. It comprised an area wherein the textile industry flourished. We have already seen from the message of Thyatira, how Lydia of Thyatira was a seller, a merchandiser, of the fabrics that were produced in that area. It was a place where the manufacture and sale of woolen and dyed fabrics flourished, of which every inhabitant would be aware. Perhaps it generated the illustration here employed by Yahshua relating to the garments, and this would have added special force to what was spoken by the Messiah.

Sardis is reminded of this kind of a converted attitude, but apparently Sardis did not possess it. Yahshua demonstrated this ideal type of attitude. Notice the context of Isaiah 11. The chapter describes the Second Coming of the Messiah and the establishment of the Kingdom of Yahweh. It describes a changed earth, a different world where even the natures of animals are changed. It refers to the era wherein a righteous king will reign.

Notice what is said in Revelation 3: "I know your work…." The Messiah is the righteous judge who will be able to look deeply into the hearts and lives of people. He scrutinizes the members of the Sardis Assembly. Near the end of verse 2, we find: "For I have found no works of yours perfected before my Elohim." What a deplorable accusation that this assembly must sustain! Good works are of extreme importance where salvation is concerned, but the members of the Sardis Assembly have not perfected any of their works!

Good works are the deeds that will get us into the Kingdom of Yahweh, the Age to come. We can all be poor in material things, nevertheless, we must have good works. To achieve good works means to keep Yahweh’s Law obediently.

It is tragic to read the end of verse 2 in Revelation 3. "I have found NO WORKS of yours perfected before my Elohim." Notice the negative adverb, the negative particle, "NO WORKS." To start a project and not to complete it is like the man who begins to build a tower and at the end does not have enough resources or resolve to finish it. He is like the king that goes out to attack a neighboring city and conquer it, but finds out that he does not have enough soldiers or military hardware to win the war.

The living dead—Sardis; you are alive, but you are dead. Sardis was an assembly that believed and professed a faith in Yahweh and Yahshua, but through complacency they had lost the Holy Spirit.

The "living dead," what a term, and yet the members of the Sardis Assembly did not know they were dead—that is the tragedy! Yahshua had to point it out to them. What about us? "You be watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of yours perfected before my Elohim." (Revelation 3:2). Now when we check the term watchful, we find that it leads us to the same term employed in the warning regarding the coming great tribulation—the end of the age.

Brethren, are we listening? Today we are called by the Name of Yahweh, because we are members of the Assemblies of Yahweh.

How do we cure complacency, indifference, or apathy? The best way we can recommend is to read the Bible and turn your back upon the world. To become really zealous for Yahweh one cannot be a part of this world. This worldly system is spiritually sick. Let us stir up our passion of love for the Word of Yahweh and reject this worldly system.

The "living dead," Sardis, unless they repent, were bound for destruction in the lake of fire because they were to be blotted out of the book of life. Only a few in Sardis were truly dedicated and sincere so that they will be accepted into the Kingdom of Yahweh.

What a tragedy to think about! Most people among the nations of the world are like the foolish virgins who have had their opportunity and failed. The door at the end of the age will some day slam shut!

"He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies." (Revelation 3:6).

May Yahweh challenge us daily to do His Will, so we will be ALIVE IN YAHWEH’S HOLY SPIRIT. We must serve Yahweh with all our hearts—or we will be like the living dead of Sardis, like those of Israel who worshiped the golden calf, and were rejected.

May Almighty bless all those who strive daily to do His Will.