The Ancient City of Sardis
Let us take a brief look at the secular history and city of Sardis to the end of the first
century A.D.:
The city of Sardis was one of the richest and most powerful commercial cities in the
ancient world. It was located in Asia Minor and was built as a fort on an elevated plateau
for protection near Mount Tmolus (Boz Dag). On three sides the rock walls were nearly straight
up cliffs but on the southern side, the fortress city was accessable. At the top was the
Palace of King Croesus. Eventually, a lower city was built on the west side of the original
city. The Pactolus River provided water and was famous for its golden sands. The city was
located inland as it did not have an ocean port, however, it was built at the junction of
five roads in the Hermus Valley region. It was once the capital city of King Croesus who
was considered to be the wealthiest man in the world as he was very successful.
In regards to the history of this city, King Croesus ruled there from about 560 to 546 B.C.
although some historians place him there earlier in the seventh century B.C. He ruled over
the Kingdom of Lydia and was the last king of Lydia. Sardis was the first city where gold
and silver coins were minted. Cyrus the Persian desired to conquer this wealthy city. It
was easy for him to get his army to Sardis because Sardis was at the western end of the
Persian royal road. The fortress city of Sardis became surrounded by Persian troops. How did
they take the city?
At night, the Median soldiers of Cyrus scaled the parapet that was considered to be impossible,
found the soldiers of Sardis asleep on watch (on the job), and conquered the city. King
Croesus was captured by Cyrus. That happened about 546 B.C. Later, Sardis fell to the
Athenians under Alexander the Great.
Then again in 218 B.C. a Cretan soldier, under Antiochus the Great, climbed over the walls
at night, found the guard of Sardis asleep, and enabled his troops to enter. The Seleucids,
and the Attalids ruled over the city. Sardis was given to the Romans in 133 B.C. Under the
Roman Empire, it was the centre of judicial administration over the Roman province of Lydia.
A powerful earthquake destroyed the city in seventeen A.D. That same earthquake destroyed
twelve cities in Asia Minor in one night. Then a terrible plague broke out at Sardis. But the
city soon recovered. The city was considered dead but then came alive again- the same thing
is said to have happened to the church there in the second century A.D. after the Revelation
letter from Jesus, through the Apostle John, reached it. The city was soon rebuilt due to
generous financial aid from the emperor, Tiberius Caesar. Though it had lost its former
greatness it was still a considerable city in the first century A.D.
The city was a center of wealth and commerce. The art of dyeing is believed to have been
invented there. Gold and silver coins were first minted at Sardis. Jewelry, carpets, and other
textiles were made there and Sardis is where merchants had class status. The city had a
gymnasium, an amphitheater, and also a synagogue. An original Roman road has been uncovered
by some folks that did excavations there in the past.
The secular religion of Sardis involved idol worship. The unsaved worshipped at the temple
of Diana and also the temple of Apollo because it was a double temple. This goddess was
called Diana in Ephesus but at Sardis she was called Cybele, the nature goddess. She was
also the goddess of the moon while Apollo was the god of the sun- they were brother and
sister. Demons received worship through these idols and there was much satanic spiritual
oppression against true Christians because of it. The followers of these idols participated
in and encouraged others to engage in flagrant sin as part of their worship.
The temple of Cybele was held up by pillars but lies in ruins now. Two of these pillars remain
there and are among the most ancient in the world, the temple of Cybele having been built
only three hundred years after that of Solomon's temple at Jerusalem
The Christian church was planted there by some of the converts of the Apostle Paul. The
church did good for awhile, spiritually died for awhile, and then came back to life in
the second century and lasted for many years. Later on, the churches of Saint John and the
Virgin were built there.
What eventually happened to that city? The city was totally destroyed in 1402 by the Mongol
Timur (Tamerlane). The only thing there today is extensive ruins that remain to testify to
its former greatness. The name of the city is also spelled Sardes and it is near the present
city of Izmir in Turkey if you care to visit there.
White Apparel-
Sardis was famous for its textile and garment business so it is possible that God the
Holy Spirit was talking to them in terms that they could easily relate to. In other
words, they could relate to garments and white clothes. White clothing was worn among
the Romans as a show of joy at festivals, on birthdays, at weddings, and at other such
celebrations. Among the idol worshippers, dirty clothing in that culture was interpreted
to mean that one dishonored the worship of their idol god, so that any individual, who
wore unwashed clothes, was forbidden to worship at the temple. The clothing worn by the
unsaved to worship idols (Satan) stands in sharp contrast to the clothing worn by the
bride of Christ. The Church shall be presented to Christ wearing fine linen, clean and
white, that is the imputed righteousness of the saints- her wedding gown-
...and you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church.
He gave up His life for her to make her holy and clean, having cleansed her by the washing
of water with the word. He did this to present her to himself a glorious church
without spot or wrinkle or any other defect, but to be holy and unblemished
(Ephesians 5:25-27).
...let us rejoice and triumph and give Him the glory for the time for the marriage of
the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready. And she was permitted to array
herself in fine linen, clean and white- linen being one symbol of the apparel
of God's people (in symbolism)
(Revelation 19:7-8).
A Unique Way to Look At Each of the Scrolls of Revelation
This Revelation scroll is a unique work by God the Holy Spirit through His Apostle, John. The
information and messages in it and the scriptures it points to are for the spiritual benefit,
encouragement, guidance, and blessings of those Overcomers who study it. That is why it is
a blessing for each Overcomer who studies it (Revelation 1:3).
Each Revelation scroll was written separately and each one was delivered to the church(es)- one
at a time. If we consider each complete scroll to be a book then there are twelve independent
books placed together to make one complete book (Revelation 1:11). Each scroll must be evaluated
and studied
separately because each one contains spiritual insight(s) and messages necessary for our
spiritual growth and maturity. This is the way Revelation was written and how it is to be
studied. Jesus Christ is lifted up in each scroll showing that He is God and is the only way
to Heaven. Sometimes, God speaks truth in one scroll and then repeats this same truth in
another scroll or more. A good Teacher often repeats a truth so the hearers will understand it.
That is the way it is in the bible book of Revelation. If one truth is revealed in more than
one scroll, then I try to mention where it is listed in all of the relevant scrolls. And, sometimes,
if the same truth is also mentioned in other scrolls of the Bible, other than Revelation, I try
to mention it with its reference.
I can imagine that most Overcomers in the first century church waited expectantly
and patiently for the next edition (the next Revelation scroll) to be written and come to them.
The Apostle John was a senior citizen so it took some time for him to write each one, under
inspiration- so the receiving Overcomers had to be patient until the next one arrived- and I am
sure a lot of prayer went up for John on his behalf in this endeavor.
This Revelation scroll was not written in the western culture, rather, it was written in the
eastern culture in apocalyptic style. As such, the words and names in each verse may have
significant spiritual impact and meaning that are intended to draw the reader's attention
to other parts of the Word of God. Therefore, one purpose of this scroll is as an index to
some scriptures in other parts of God's inspired word. That is how I see it so I share in this
work some of those scriptures. That way I let God interpret the bible book of Revelation
as He sees fit. All I do is what the early church did with this scroll- to look into
the word of God to see what God has for each Overcomer.
All these things happened to them as examples- as object lessons to us- to warn us against
doing the same things- they were written down so that we could read about them and learn from
them in these last days as the world nears its end
(1 Corinthians 10:11 The Living Bible).
In each scroll of this bible book, I believe God can make relevant His word to each reader in
a personal way. Therefore, I try to let God interpret His own word- He does not need me to do
that for Him. That is why I try to limit any commentary of my own and why I try to limit
my own relevant ideas, nor use summaries or conclusions.
In the writing of this book I have used many resources.
Sometimes I referred to the original Greek language. Other times I have used a number of
paraphrased editions and translations. And, at other times, I have used my own paraphrase to
make things more easy to understand.
I challenge each of God's Overcomers to study the scriptures in this distinct
section diligently. What is God teaching His Overcomers through the study of these scriptures?
What all important truths does God want each of His Overcomers to know? Jesus said-
...you make search in the holy scriptures, in
the belief that through them you get eternal life- and it is those scriptures that give witness
about Me (John 5:39). So my question is
this- how can one apply what he has learned here to his life? And will one influence others
with these truths?
More light and truth is always
available to earnest seekers of God's word. As mentioned before, God promises a blessing to
those who study, believe, and apply all that is contained in the twelve scrolls of Revelation
(Revelation 1:3). |
Let Us Apply the Teachings in Revelation to Our Lives
Besides prophecy, and other things, the Bible book of Revelation is an index to other Biblical
scriptures. I challenge each of God's Overcomers to study the scriptures in this distinct
section diligently. What is God teaching His Overcomers through the study of these scriptures?
What all important truth does God want each of His Overcomers to know? Jesus said-
...you make search in the holy scriptures, in
the belief that through them you get eternal life- and it is those scriptures that give witness
about Me (John 5:39). So my question is
this- how can one apply what he has learned here to his life? And will one influence others
with these truths? |
