Sardis is our next stop on our road trip through Turkey to see the seven congregations of Revelation. Just like on our visit to Philadelphia, we again see some really interesting connections between what we see in Sardis and what Jesus writes to the congregation in the book of Revelation.
When addressing the seven congregations in Revelation, Jesus used language and metaphors that the residents could relate to. So in this post I want to share three things that will make more sense to you when reading Jesus’ words to this congregation. You can connect them with things that you see in or around the city.
But first, let’s see the text from the New World Translation. In bold are the connections we will make:
1. “To the angel of the congregation in Sarʹdis write: These are the things that he says who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars: ‘I know your deeds, that you have the name that you are alive, but you are dead.
3. Therefore, continue mindful of how you have received and how you heard, and go on keeping it, and repent. Certainly unless you wake up, I will come as a thief, and you will not know at all at what hour I will come upon you.
4. “‘Nevertheless, you do have a few individuals in Sarʹdis who did not defile their garments, and they will walk with me in white ones, because they are worthy. 5. The one who conquers will thus be dressed in white garments, and I will by no means blot out his name from the book of life, but I will acknowledge his name before my Father and before his angels.”
Revelation 3:1,3,5. New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
1. The People of Sardis Were Rich
“You have the name that you are alive, but you are dead.”
Why were the Christians of Sardis dead spiritually? We get a clue in a little known fact about Sardis. This city INVENTED coins*. Yes, they were the first to make a coin that could be used in trade. But more than that. They minted gold coins and many of these coins came from gold in the nearby Pactolus river (located here). This river was RICH with gold*.
This made the Sardinians rich. Very rich. In fact very wealthy people came from this city such as Croesus who lived in the 5th century BCE. Hence, the expression was common among the Sardinians that someone was “as rich as Croesus” due to the fortunes he made.
No doubt owing to the wealth of the city, many Christians “were dead” spiritually. Their “works” were not for spiritual things. They were distracted.
2. Sardis had a thriving garment industry
“Who did not defile their garments, and they will walk with me in white ones.”
This statement makes sense. Why?
Sardis had a thriving wool garment industry. The very rich volcanic topsoil in Turkey around Sardis is perfect for raising sheep. Sheep graze among the ruins of the valley and hillside.
What is more interesting is that Sardis claims to have invented the art of dyeing wool*. Yes, colorful garments came from the city and were exported for sale. The city was well known for this art.
This now begins to make sense when we read expressions like, “did not defile their garments” and “walk with me in white ones.” Or “I will by no means blot out.” These expressions referring to garments and dyeing would have made sense to the people of Sardis.
3. Sardis Was Susceptible to Thieves and Bandits.
“Certainly unless you wake up, I will come as a thief.”
Sardis had a strategical problem. It was for the most part set in a valley plain. Though there were structures in the hills above, many lived below in a valley that proved susceptible to bandits.
Even to this day in Turkey there are Robin Hood-like tales of robbers that come down from the mountains such as Chakirjali to Sardis. He would hide in the mountains and swoop down on the city, to steal.
There is a mountain range beside Sardis. In fact, you will notice that this city is right at the base of it. See the mountains in the background in the picture below.
Hiding in the hills surrounding the city was so easy. Hence residents of Sardis had to be on guard for thieves. No wonder Jesus says “become watchful.”
This reality would ring true when Jesus said, “Certainly, unless you wake up, I will come as a thief.” It was a point they could easily connect with. Once again, a metaphor that has obvious application to the residents of Sardis.
Other noteworthy things to see
The largest synagogue of the ancient world: Christianity got an early foothold in Sardis. This was true regarding many cities in Asia Minor that had synagogues. Paul and other missionaries regularly preached in them. What is interesting is that Sardis has the largest known synagogue, not just in Turkey, but in all of the ancient world*. The population of jews in Sardis must have been significant. Fertile soil for preaching.
Here are some pictures of the ancient synagogue in Sardis.
The city is no longer inhabited. Just like other cities that had a predominately negative report like Laodicea, Sardis came to nothing. The city fell into decline by the seventh century AD and was mostly abandoned*. Today there is no modern city built on top.
We leave the Turkish city of ancient Sardis and now head to our next stop, Pergamon.
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