Desolate Kingdom Prophecy and The Church at Sardis

[Mr. M]

Matthew 12:25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: Every kingdom
divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against
itself will not stand.
When Jesus makes such a definitive statement, this has become a prophetic word.
“Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” Revelation 19:10

A Divided Kingdom cannot stand, and all rebellion must be brought to desolation.
Holding certain doctrines brought churches to the point of judgment in the 1st century.
Revelation 3:1 And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,These things say 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.

At the time of this message, the church of Sardis was alive in name only, but was already
a dead congregation. A church fallen from favor was said to have their candlestick
removed from before the throne of the Lord. Revelation 1:20; Revelation 2:5

2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for
I have not found your works perfect before God.
3 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.
4 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.

Among this dying church are “a few names” worthy to be clothed in white garments, while their names remain in the book of Life. They are instructed to continue watchful, for though they are few in number, they must remain in fellowship with one another, for their works
have not been found perfect before God. “Hold fast and repent” or the Lord will come upon you. He uses the familiar expressions “I come as a thief”, and “you know not the hour that I will come”.

Matthew 12:28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God
has come upon you.
While the Lord shows Himself personally involved in the churches, His kingdom moves
against those acting in rebellion.
The desolation of entire congregations, while strengthening the few who have been faithful grants the opportunity for individuals who have been on the fence to repent and become watchful once again.
1 Corinthians 11:19 For there also must be heresies among you, that they which are
approved may be made manifest among you.

 

[Mr. M]

The likelihood is that He will take similar action as the time of the Gentiles comes in.
Luke 21:24 And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles
are fulfilled.
Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with
Me scatters abroad.

“For judgment must begin at the house of God''. 1 Peter 4:17
Revelation 3:5 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.

 

[Kenneth Heck]

From a prophetic viewpoint the church of Sardis represents a historic period in Christianity from about the time of the Council of Trent and the Protestant Reformation (c. 1563) up to the present.

The Sardis time period is characterized by the rise of protestant denominations, the colonization of the New World and later Africa and Asia, the spread of Christianity around the globe, the disappearance of empires and monarchies, an abundance of inventions and discoveries, major scientific advances, economic progress, and socialistic theories, and the decline of institutional religious authority. The rise of dictators and Antichrist figures characterizes the end of this period. The Sardis period must be also understood as the one where secular activities and achievements have preoccupied mankind the most, and this church receives the strongest criticism of all the seven churches. Evidently, Christ must appear through the Holy Spirit as the Savior at this time to save and resuscitate Christianity before its death is complete and final. Christ's true second coming as King and Judge to judge the nations is later on after the church of Laodicea.