Churches of the New Testament: Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea I. Introduction A. Revelation 1:10-11 B. Six of the seven churches of Asia Minor have remained 1. John, in Patmos, receives the Revelation 2. Most likely during latter days of Domitian (81-96 CE) 3. First part of Revelation represent letters to these churches C. Have examined churches in Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira D. Let us conclude with what Jesus says to Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea II. Geography and History A. Sardis, Philadelphia (modern Alasehir), and Laodicea are all part of the ancient Roman province of Asia in modern day Turkey 1. southeastern line of churches in Asia Minor 2. Sardis: 25 mi northwest of Philadelphia, 70 mi northwest of Laodicea 3. Philadelphia: 48 mi NW of Laodicea 4. Ephesus: 56 mi SW of Sardis, 70 mi SW of Philadelphia, 97 mi W of Laodicea 5. All cities roughly 550-615 mi NW of Jerusalem B. Sardis and Philadelphia around Mount Tmolus in inland Asia 1. Sardis nearly impregnable in its location 2. Known for wool garment manufacturing 3. Philadelphia in main wine producing area of Asia Minor 4. Dionysus, Greek god of wine, main god 5. Known for temples C. Laodicea fantastically wealthy 1. On the Lycus River, major trading port 2. Banking center 3. Wool manufacturing center 4. Also a medicine center D. History wrapped up in rest of region 1. Greeks colonize, influence beginning in first millennium BCE 2. Sardis capital of Lydian empire, 7th-6th centuries BCE 3. Persia conquers in 549 BCE, rules until 332 BCE 4. After Kingdom of Thrace and Attalid rule in Pergamum, Rome takes over in 133 BCE 5. Sardis the oldest city 6. Philadelphia: founded by Attalus II, 2nd century BCE 7. Laodicea: founded by Seleucid Antiochus II, 3rd century BCE 8. Philadelphia, a Lydian city, still a Hellenic outpost in Asia E. Earthquakes significantly impact region 1. Major earthquake in 17 CE levels Sardis, Philadelphia; both rebuilt, Sardis never regains glory and influence 2. Philadelphia suffers twenty more years of earthquakes, being on the fault line; renamed Neocaesarea, giving thanks to Tiberius' generosity 3. Major earthquake of 60-61 levels Colossae and Laodicea; Colossae does not recover, Laodicea rebuilt at its own expense 4. Indicates wealth present 5. Also gives credence to later date of Revelation: church still in recovery in 60s, not so by 90s III. The Founding of Churches in Asia A. No information about founding of churches in Sardis or Philadelphia B. Laodicea known from Colossians 1. Colossians 4:12-13: activity of Epaphras there 2. Colossians 4:16: letter written to Laodicea; possibly Ephesians, likely lost to history C. All three churches, then, most likely founded in 55-57 through Paul's work in Ephesus (Acts 19:8-10) 1. Likely patterned after Colossae/Laodicea: native men like Epaphras hear and believe Gospel 2. Men then go and promote Gospel in their home areas, churches founded D. Churches, then, well-established by the 90s IV. Sardis: The Living Dead A. After speaking to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, and Thyatira in Revelation 2, Jesus turns to Sardis in Revelation 3:1-6 B. The Living Dead (Revelation 3:1-3) 1. Some have some works, reputation for being alive, but are in fact dead 2. None of their works are complete before God 3. Charged to return to what they were first preached, repent, else He will come as a thief against them 4. Situation, then, where there are some professed Christians, yet dead without complete works (James 2:14-26) 5. They must make significant change to be pleasing to God on the last day C. The Faithful (Revelation 3:4-6) 1. Jesus then speaks of some who have not defiled their garments (reference to Sardis' wool garment manufacturing?) 2. They "walk with Christ in white" and are "worthy" 3. Such persons are not blotted out of the Book of Life, and Jesus will confess them before the Father D. Church in Sardis, 90s CE 1. A study in contrasts 2. Some faithful brethren, walking in white, written in the Book of Life 3. Other unfaithful brethren, dead while they live, must repent 4. Hope for their repentance! V. Philadelphia: Holding Firm A. Moves on to Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13 1. Addresses them as "He who has the key of David" (Revelation 3:7) 2. Constant imagery of the open door (temple reference?) B. Philadelphia a strong church 1. Addressed most positively 2. Jesus knows their works: they have been faithful, held to His name, endured (Revelation 3:8,10) C. Sources of trouble (Revelation 3:9) 1. Doors are open, possibly to promote Gospel 2. Jews a source of trouble-- synagogue of Satan, as in Smyrna (Revelation 2:9) 3. They will be humbled and will see God's love for the brethren D. Reward (Revelation 3:10-11) 1. The reward of the Philadelphians is exception from persecution 2. They are to endure to receive crown 3. If they endure, they will receive the names of God, Christ, New Jerusalem E. Later evidence 1. 115 CE: Letter of Ignatius, "bishop" of Antioch, to Philadelphia 2. Bishop over elders present; charge to obey them (Ignatius, Letter to the Philadelphians 1-2) 3. Presence of "schismatics" not in communion with bishop, should "repent" (ibid., 3, 8) 4. "as many as are of God and of Jesus Christ are also with the bishop" (ibid. 3) 5. Charge to not follow Jewish law (ibid. 4, 9) F. Church in Philadelphia, 90s CE 1. Philadelphia a strong church 2. Suffering some persecution, but stand firm 3. Jewish matters represent difficulty-- constant Jewish imagery, later charge of Ignatius 4. Latter end of church lamentable-- accepting bishop over elders innovation 5. Presence of "schismatics" who refuse to accept bishop over elders, however, a testament to church's doctrinal strength 6. Confidence that some from Philadelphia will comprise the New Jerusalem VI. Laodicea: Consequences of Complacency A. Last church spoken to is Laodicea in Revelation 3:14-22 B. All other churches have some positive qualities; not Laodicea C. Lukewarm (Revelation 3:15-16) 1. Not warm or cold, but lukewarm 2. Reference to water from hot spring brought into city as lukewarm? 3. Regardless, not to be understood in terms of hot as zealous, cold as dead 4. Humans stomach hot and cold things well, especially in the contrary temperature environment 5. No one likes things lukewarm, however 6. Reaction: Jesus will spew them from His mouth D. The cause (Revelation 3:17-18) 1. Complacency! 2. They confused material abundance with spiritual strength 3. They felt as if they were rich and needed nothing, but in fact were destitute and needed everything! 4. Paul's advice in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 not heeded 5. Solution: humble yourselves, repent, be chastened, and obtain spiritual wealth E. The comfort (Revelation 3:19-21) 1. Those whom Christ loves are chastened by Him 2. Those who accept Christ will dine with Him, be with Him forever F. Church in Laodicea, 90s 1. Church in bad situation, provides sober warning 2. Their material abundance deluded them into thinking that all was well spiritually 3. Thinking they needed nothing, they in fact needed all things! 4. They needed to repent or perish; we hope the did the former! VII. Conclusion A. Much can be gained from churches of Asia B. Many, like Philadelphia, strong in the midst of persecution C. Others, like Sardis, divided between faithful brethren and professors without sufficient works D. Where there is material abundance, churches like Laodicea, professing greatness physically while spiritually destitute E. Let us heed what the Spirit says to the churches: be faithful to God, endure, and we will overcome in Christ (Revelation 3)! F. Songbook/invitation