In the eyes of Jesus, the Christian community in Sardis is active, but living faith is missing. “You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead”. The church is told to wake up (Revelation 3:1-6).

Jesus warns against an organized church instead than an organic connection with Jesus himself.

Church can take place, but not live inwardly. Jesus’ approach is exciting, not to let the smouldering wick go out (Matthew 12:20 / Isaiah 42:3), but to kindle it again: “Strengthen what remains and is about to die”.

Revelation 3:5 “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.”

In the book of life are written the names of those who have a share in eternal life. The term “book of life” comes from Psalm 69:29 (“Let them be blotted out of the book of the living; let them not be enrolled among the righteous”).