Sardis Pictures

Joyce's Photos of Sardis

Philadelphia is the sixth of the seven churches listed in the Book of Revelation. Many consider it to be "the dead church". Here is what is said to it in the Bible:

3:1 "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. 2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. 3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. 4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. 5 He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." ' (Revelation 3:1-6)

Temple Ruins of Ancient Sardis. These photos show of the pagan temple area of Sardis that existed when the Apostle John penned the Book of Revelation. (There are no original Christian church buildings--and there probably were none specifically for that purpose at that time.)

More Ruins of Ancient Sardis. These photos show some of the area of Sardis that existed when the Apostle John penned the Book of Revelation.

Gold Processing Area. In ancient times, gold was taken out of the small river here and what remains are related to gold processing.

Rebuilt Gymnasium. This is one of the most impressive buildings in the area of any of the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3. However, it has been recently and massively rebuilt as its original condition was in ruin.

Back of Rebuilt Gymnasium. This is the back of an ancient gymnasium that has been rebuilt.

Crosses in Sardis? These crosses were from the 5th or 6th century. Crosses were not used by early Christians (they became popular after Emperor Constantine in the 4th century).

Rebuilt Synagogue. There was a significant Jewish population in ancient Sardis and these structures were rebuilt using modern Jewish money. It is likely that Christians sometimes met here or near here.

Mosiac Tiles of the Synagogue. These tiles seem to be the original floor of the ancient synagogue.

Remains of Jewish Shops. These are the remains of some Jewish shops near the ancient synagogue. They basically have been identified by Jewish names such as Jacob.

Joyce Outside A Painter's Shop. This is Joyce in front of a shop that used to be owned by a Jewish painter in ancient times.

Of all the seven churches in Asia Minor, it is perhaps the one in Sardis that looks, in a sense, the most alive as Jewish and other money rebuilt much more of it, than let's say Philadelphia. The relatively large size of the rebuilt remains of Sardis, like the remains of the Church of God (Seventh Day) the largest remnant group of the Sardis Church Era, looks bigger, from a worldly perspective than the other existing Churches of God.

Much more information about the spiritual ramifications of Sardis can be found in the articles the Sardis Church Era, and the Church of God (Seventh Day). Because of their de-emphasis on matters prophetic, I strongly do believe that the Church of God (Seventh Day) will fulfill Revelation 3:3, "Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you."

COGwriter 2008

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