Sardis

 

By Dale J. Babinsky      Sardis was a city in Asia Minor located on the Aegean coast, and was about 60 miles to the west of Laodicea and 60 miles east of Smyrna.  The city was built above the Hermus valley and sat on a mountainside 1,500 feet above the plain.  It was practically surrounded by dangerous cliffs and strong walls, and the people of Sardis felt very secure in their fortress.  The city was the capital of the Lydian Empire, and was renowned for its gold from the adjacent Pactolus River.  Thus the people were wealthy and overconfident.  During the time of Krossus, who was their king, the city was conquered by Cyrus of Persia in 546 BC.  Cyrus’ army scaled the treacherous mountainside under the cover of darkness and surprised Sardis, as their watchmen were asleep and unaware of the pending attack.  Centuries later, a similar event occurred when again the guards were asleep at their post and the city fell to Antiochus Epiphanes in 213 BC.  The city was later annexed by Rome in 133 BC.  Most of Sardis was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 17.  The city was rebuilt in the plain during the reign of Tiberius.  There was a large planned temple to Artemis that was to be built here.  The temple was later divided in two to allow for a temple to the Roman emperor in the second century AD.      In the book of Revelation Sardis is referred to as a ‘dead’ church, perhaps in light of their history of sleeping watchmen.  Christ tells them that they have a name and think that they are alive, but that they are ready to die if they do not improve.  They are instructed to ‘be watchful’ and strengthened (3:2).  They are told to ‘hold fast,’ another military term (3:3).  Jesus says that if they will not watch, that He will come on them like a thief in the night, which had to conjure memories of their past history and the defeats to Cyrus and Antiochus III.  He points out that there are some who have not been defiled, who will walk with Him in white garments.  This is perhaps in reference to the luxury clothing trade that the city was also well known for.  It is interesting to note that the church in Sardis seems to have taken on so much of the personality of the people in that they seem to be resting upon past achievements and failing to provide a proper watch for those who would spoil them.

- Dale J. Babinsky preaches for the Great Smoky Mountains Church of Christ in Pigeon Forge, TN. https://gsmchurchofchrist.com/