Revelation Chapter 3

VERSE 1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.”

AND TO THE ANGEL:

“The angel of the fifth Church was John Wycliffe, an extraordinarily talented man of great zeal and learning. He was a student at Oxford during the great plague years. One half of England died. Two-thirds of the Oxford students died: but the Lord had important reasons to spare this man. When he became a professor, he wielded great influence. He first became of note when he issued a challenge against “mendicant friars” (begging friars) — ecclesiastics who made their living (often wealth) by begging from the populace. Wycliffe organized the “poor priests” whom he sent out to remote villages to show the people the proper attitude of ecclesiastics.

Wycliffe became so popular in his simple teaching of the people that it was said at one time that “every other man in England” was a follower. This did not last once Papacy became able again to enforce its powers. But the Lord had so arranged history that Wycliffe was able to get away with much never before thought possible while England was fighting France, the seat of the Pope at that time.

Wycliffe’s followers were called Lollards — probably because of their soft singing, the root of the word being akin to lullaby.

Papists, of course, equated the name with “lollia” — the word meaning TARES!

Wycliffe preached the Bible as the ONLY authority for truth. He wrote an immense number of tracts and other works, much of which was in support of the ransom and against transubstantiation. While the Pope couldn’t successfully touch Wycliffe while he was alive, he did have Wycliffe exhumed, burned, and cast into the river Swift. As Wordsworth’s Sonnet attests, this was in reality only a symbol of Papacy’s mistake. Like his ashes, which floated over the world, Wycliffe’s teachings were scattered all over Europe and plagued the Papacy from then on.”

A bit more on the fifth angel as taken from “The Seven Churches of Revelation”, C.F. Redeker

“Brilliant English scholar, Oxford professor and statesman. In 1366 his early concerns with the practical abuses of papacy, such as its unjust taxation policies and interference in secular affairs, brought him into public view. Later, in discovering the Bible to be the sole guide for Christian faith, he was brought into open conflict with papacy along a broad front.

By 1378 he evolved a system of doctrine that undermined the whole structure of the (Roman) church. In pamphlets and lectures he attacked historical papal claims in both religious and secular spheres. He opposed church hierarchy, the system of priesthood, indulgences, confession, penance, veneration of images and transubstantiation. His teachings raised the wrath of the clergy but found popular support across all classes. He became one of the greatest and boldest of the reformers, highly admired at home and abroad.

Wycliffe was exemplary in his purity of life, his zeal for biblical truth and his courage in defending it. His continual reference to the Scriptures earned him the honorary title of “the evangelical doctor.” His translation of the complete Bible into English is of special note, as it was the only such version available for 150 years. As an early herald of Reformation, he was widely recognized for his impact on medieval society, but too far ahead of his time to break the power of Rome. His followers (Lollards) were cruelly and methodically persecuted almost to extinction, but miraculously he escaped a martyr’s death. Later (in 1428) his bones were exhumed and burned by decree of the Council of Constance.”

OF THE CHURCH OF SARDIS:

Brethren seem to agree somewhat universally that this word means THAT WHICH REMAINS. However, no one offers the source of this etymology. It WOULD be good to be able to confirm it. The thought that the saints who enter this period are a remnant seems substantiated by Dan. 7:25. It was clearly prophesied that Papacy would WEAR OUT the saints, the implications strongly being that only a few would survive the ordeal. As we arrive at the period just prior to the great Reformation, it is only natural to expect that only a weak remnant is carrying on.

THESE THINGS SAYS HE WHO HAS THE SEVEN SPIRITS OF GOD AND THE SEVEN STARS:

Again, the WAY in which Jesus introduces himself has a particular meaning for those who lived at the period. Since many expected the Lord’s return in the late 1300’s, it is only appropriate that Jesus should remind them that there must be seven stages of the church — SEVEN times when the SPIRIT says “hear.”

 It is also appropriate that they be comforted by knowing that the Lord is STILL SUPPLYING the promised stars so that all who hear their teachings can be over-comers regardless of the prevailing conditions of the age.

I KNOW YOUR WORKS:

This is not a new refrain. It is common to the various Churches. It is a comfort because it shows watch care and concern. It is a discomfort because it stings when those deeds are less than they ought to be. We see in Verse 2 that the Sardis deeds are INCOMPLETE. This sounds very much as though the Great Multitude population might be high during this age. Verse 4 will strengthen this conclusion as it implies that most have soiled their garments.

THAT YOU HAVE A NAME THAT YOU ARE ALIVE:

Name usually symbolizes character. It can also symbolize reputation — that which comes out of character, or, at least, out of profession.

As Sardis opens, it has a GREAT REPUTATION for being alive! It is AN OPEN MOVEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO PAPAL DOCTRINE. If one-half of all Englishmen were followers of Wycliffe, they made a GREAT REPUTATION for being alive.

BUT YOU ARE DEAD:

How unfortunate, however, that when the crunch came, when the persecutions resumed, all of these followers of Wycliffe suddenly disappeared! They were alive in name only. They soiled their garments quickly when asked to stand up for what they believed. It is small wonder, then, that Verse 2 says they have NOT COMPLETED their deeds. They BEGAN with vigor. They wilted on the vine.

Nevertheless, the Lord still has a few faithful ones during this period as evident in Verse 4.

VERSE 4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments…”

The verse strongly suggests the Great Multitude to be the majority of the saints of the period. — only a FEW singled out because of their unsoiled garments. The fact that the explanation does NOT say a few PEOPLE, but, rather, a few NAMES, suggests that the Lord may be referring to some of the groups (names = reputations) that were persistent in following and serving truth.

It was likely that the white-robed wearers were among these groups. The Lollards were certainly one of these groups. The Waldenses were still active. The Hussites and Moravians were upholding some of Wycliffe’s teachings in Eastern Europe. But, clearly and sadly, most in this period were wearing the soiled garments of the Great Multitude (Rev 7:14).

We will take a look at the Fifth Seal in our next post.