The Letter to the Church at Sardis. Sardis was a little more than 30 miles SE. of Thyatira: formerly a city of great importance, at this time it had become a town of the second rank. It had been destroyed by an earthquake in A.D. 17, and though rebuilt it had not recovered its former glory.
Revelation 3:1. seven spirits of God: Revelation 1:4 *. name that thou livest: this is the severest condemnation passed upon any of the churches.
Revelation 3:2. the things that remain: the church is not entirely lost to hope; there is still the possibility of revival. found no works: in the case of the other churches there is always something to praise, but Sardis has no record of achievements to call forth admiration.
Revelation 3:3. how thou hast received: the church is urged to remember its past history and the mercies vouchsafed to it.
Revelation 3:4. few names: there are even in Sardis a few persons (cf. Revelation 11:13 Gr.) who have not sullied the purity of their Christian life.
Revelation 3:5. white garments: white is the emblem of purity (cf. Revelation 7:13 f.). book of life: originally this title was applied to the roll or register of the citizens of Jerusalem. Subsequently it was used to denote the roll of God's people (Exodus 32:32; Psalms 69:28; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 20:15). confess his name: cf. the saying of Jesus, Matthew 10:32 *.