The Jewish synagogue of Sardis was popular for its size and location. It demonstrated the prosperity of the Jewish community around the third century A.D. Many Jews of influence and wealth resided in Sardis, as it was one of the first cities under Roman authority to exempt them from Emperor worship. Remnants of the popular Jewish synagogue have been discovered and refurbished thanks to the generous contributions of many American Jews, Jewish organizations, and charitable foundations.[3]
As the Apostle John continued his dictation to the churches, Jesus finally gave him a word for the church of Sardis. Jesus told the church of Sardis that they had a reputation for being alive when they were actually dead. One may ask, how is this possible? Well, let’s first examine signs of death in nature, and we will correlate this to death in the spiritual.
What are some of the signs of physical death, and what parallels can we take regarding spiritual death?
1. Weak Pulse - A low heart rate is a common sign of the body's vital functions slowing down and coming to an end. The heart’s rhythm decreases, thus leading to a weak or non-existent pulse. Sardis needed a spiritual heart transplant. They had turned away from what had given them life to begin with and were only alive in mere name and reputation. Yet, what did Jesus require? The Bible says: “ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
2. Skin Changes - As death approaches, the person’s skin may exhibit changes, including paleness, blotching, discoloration, and coolness in various extremities. This is often due to reduced blood flow as part of the transitioning process. Spiritual death does not come all of a sudden. There are signs that one exhibits before complete death takes place in the spirit, just as in the natural. Sardis has experienced spiritual changes from life to death, where although they were operating as the body of Christ, their outward skin was hiding their sin-sick souls underneath. Yet, this is what God said to Ezekiel during his vision of the valley of dry bones: “And I will lay sinews (strength) upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them” (Ezekiel 37:6-8). Yes, Jesus was giving Sardis the chance to be restored just as these dry bones were able to come to life through a Word from the Lord. One must be willing to allow the Spirit to help them become alive again because it is impossible to do it on one’s own accord.
3. Breathing Changes - The body's need for oxygen during this stage decreases, which can result in shallow breathing and altered breathing patterns. Just as the body needs oxygen to breathe, the spiritual body needs the breath of life from Jesus to operate in the Spirit for there to be life. The Bible says: “Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:21-22). Many believers within Sardis seemingly had lost the breath they needed to be alive by the power of the Spirit. Therefore, they were considered the walking dead.
4. Mental Confusion – A dying person may experience delirium as their time draws near. It can involve such symptoms as hallucinations, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, and more. Similarly, the spiritually dying person may allow the enemy to confuse them and take their focus away from Christ, resulting in spiritual confusion and doubt. Yet, the Bible says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6
5. Loss of Appetite – A dying person’s nutritional needs change, as they no longer have the same desire for food as before, because it is no longer necessary. As a healthy person may experience intense hunger and eventually starve without food and water, a person near death does not have the same nutritional needs. Similarly, believers who deprive themselves or lack a desire to study the Word, which is our Bread of Life, will eventually starve spiritually. Unfortunately, many believers are feeding themselves junk food (social media, music, movies, motivational speeches, etc.) rather than spiritual food, which consists of prayer, fasting, meditation with God, and reading His Word. However, the Bible says: “For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:33-35).
6. Cooler Body Temperature – As a person begins the dying process, they may experience a cooler body temperature. Blood flow tends to leave the body’s extremities and flow to the vital organs, such as the heart and brain. On the contrary, patients nearing the end of their lives may experience increased heat in certain body parts. Similarly, spiritually dying believers may find themselves cold and indifferent to the things of God and towards their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ when they fail to appreciate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins. The Bible says: “How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” (Romans 9:14). The Lord wants us to remember His blood that was shed on our behalf so we can put away the acts of the flesh that lead to death and embrace the Spirit who gives us eternal life.
7. Weakening Muscles – As a person nears death, they may experience fatigue, as the body shuts down, resulting in a loss of energy and weakened muscles. Simple tasks become difficult, and reflexes decrease. Similarly, the enemy can cause Christians to grow weak in their faith and belief in God’s promises by sowing seeds of doubt, disappointment, and even unforgiveness, creating a foundation for spiritual death. Yet, there is hope in Christ. The Bible says: “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). We cannot rely on our own strength, but the Lord is the One who sustains us spiritually, physically, and emotionally, thus strengthening our reliance on Him.
8. Lower Blood Pressure – “Blood pressure is defined as the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood throughout your body. Blood pressure also helps carry and eliminate waste products away from your body, through your kidneys and liver, which act as a filtering process.” Therefore, those near death will often experience a decrease in blood pressure because of many bodily functions slowing down and/or stopping altogether. When blood pressure is not functioning properly spiritually, the wasteful products of sin, such as lust, envy, pride, greed, anger, bitterness, and more, are unable to be properly expelled from the body due to grieving the Holy Spirit. This causes demonic toxicity to the spiritual system. Yet, the Word of God says: “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:30-31). We must welcome the Spirit into our hearts so that He can do His job in our lives.
9. Pain – Sometimes,Un as a person nears death, they may be in a tremendous amount of pain. In 2020, the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) revised its definition of pain for the first time in forty years, following a two-year process, in an effort to achieve a more accurate assessment of it. The new definition by the IASP and Task Force defines pain as: “An unpleasant physical and emotional experience associated or resembling that associated with actual or potential tissue damage.” Furthermore, this definition includes the addition of six key points and origins for pain to provide additional clarity.[1]
a.) “Pain is always a personal experience that is influenced by varying degrees of biological, psychological, and social factors.”[2]
b.) “Pain cannot be inferred solely from activity in sensory neurons.”[3]
c.) Through their life experiences, individuals learn the concept of pain.[4]
d.) “A person’s report of an experience as pain should be respected.”[5]
e.) “Although pain usually serves an adaptive role, it may have adverse effects on function and social and psychological well-being.”[6]
f.) “Verbal description is only one of several behaviors to express pain; inability to communicate does not negate the possibility that a human or a nonhuman animal experiences pain.”[7]
Unfortunately, many Christians have experienced church pain or hurt, resulting in spiritual death. They may have been victims of spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, and even sexual abuse by someone who misrepresented God. This may have led to them having feelings of bitterness, betrayal, doubt, judgment, and anger towards God and the body of Christ. Nevertheless, people’s failures, negligence, gossip, and even hypocrisy should never cause one to forsake the Lord. The Lord is perfect, but human beings are not. Where man fails, God’s love never fails, and He understands our pains, disappointments, and frustrations. The Bible says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Pain inflicted by the church can be spiritually crippling and result in spiritual death if one does not commit the offense(s) to the Lord.
There are many churches of today with this same dead spirit. On the exterior, they appear to be on fire for Christ, when in fact, it is the contrary. They dance, praise, witness, and evangelize, yet there is no life in them. The church of Sardis was going through the motions but was empty inside. It reminds you of what takes place when a person dies. The heart of the individual no longer beats. Regardless of whether you have the physical body present, if there is no heartbeat, there is no life. This is how the church in Sardis was. They had the physical presence of the church and may have been performing Christian deeds, but their heartbeat for Christ had slowed down and was almost nonexistent. They needed a heart defibrillator. They needed juice from the Source of Life to restore them. “He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘Sovereign LORD, you alone know’ ” (Ezekiel 37:3).
Jesus told Sardis to wake up. They were dead but had an incomplete task waiting for them. They had to repent and turn around. However, if they did not, then He would be as a thief unto them. “You know very well that the day of the Lord is going to come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). However, not everyone in Sardis was found stained. Jesus declared that there were those who had been found worthy and would be dressed in the robes of righteousness. Their names would remain in the book of life for all who are saved. “Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life” (Philippians 4:3).
Homework...Give your favorite verse. What did the author mean as he wrote it? What does it mean to you? What do you think it should mean to others. See you next week!
[1] IASP and the Task Force, "IASP Announces Revised Definition of Pain," International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), last modified March 1, 2023, https://www.iasp-pain.org/publications/iasp-news/iasp-announces-revised-definition-of-pain/.
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