Revelation 3:1 Revelation 3:1 "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead." And unto the Angel of the Church in Sardis, write, etc. Sardis was a city in Lydia, where King Cræsus sometime had his court and residence, in which city the gospel also was preached, and had good success, for there was this church planted, among whom the holy ordinances were administered; neither were any such errors in doctrine, nor evil deeds in conversation, charged by Christ upon the ministers of this church, or members thereof, as was found in Ephesus, Pergamos, and Thyatira. This church had some renown, and name of praise among the churches of God, yet all was not well, some among them were dead, and others ready to die. The titles which Christ take here unto himself in the inscription of this epistle, are two. First, "He that hath the seven Spirits of God" See exposition of Rev 1:4. See KNOLLYS: Revelation 1:4 Secondly, and "the seven Stars" See Revelation 1:16-20. "I know thy works, that thou hast a name, that thou livest and art dead" By a "name" to live, is meant, the great and honorable esteem which other churches of saints and ministers of Christ had of this church, her ministers and members. For, first, the appearance of the graces and gifts of the Spirit of God, which did shine forth and were perspicuous in some of the ministers of this church, made her renowned among other churches. \ Secondly, the soundness of doctrine, purity of gospel-administrations in the worship of God, and the strictness of discipline in this church, did give her a name and a praise among other churches. \ "And are dead." Whatsoever were the apprehensions which other churches had of this, or whatever her own ministers and members did esteem of her state and condition, yet our Lord Jesus (who best new the present state of this church) testified, that there was not that reality and sincerity found in some of her ministers or members that ought to be in the church of God; for some of her ministers or members were dead in trespasses and sins, \ others were ready to die; withering, decaying, backsliding, and much deadness, was seen by Christ among them.