Bible Matrix ⑦_209_REV 3:2~3 – Strengthen what remains, you must wake up..

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Bible Matrix ⑦_209_REV 3:2~3 – Strengthen what remains, you must wake up, I will come like a thief

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AweljRWqUM4

Bible Matrix ⑦: Historical & Scientific Views on Daniel and Revelation

Part 2. Revelation

Revelation 3:1~6 - To the Church in Sardis, alive but you are dead, but a few people

Revelation 3:2~3 – Strengthen what remains and is about to die, But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief

☞ Revelation 3:2 - Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. (NIV); Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (KJV); Wake up! Strengthen what little remains, for even what is left is almost dead. I find that your actions do not meet the requirements of my God. (NLT)

3:3 - Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. (NIV); Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (KJV); Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to me again. If you don't wake up, I will come to you suddenly, as unexpected as a thief. (NLT)

○ The church in Sardis was losing the faith of the truth that had been heard from and received by the apostles and early reformers. Even what is left is almost dead or is about to die. Therefore, Jesus says, “think about how you have received and heard, keep it or obey it, and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know what day and hour I will come to you”(Ref: Bible Matrix ⑦_117). This refers to the Second Coming of Jesus c.AD 10,740~. This meaning is the same as “I come like a thief” (NIV) in <Revelation> 16:15.

○ Even though Sardis was an impregnable fortress, but Sardis was conquered twice in history, because they believed in the geographical advantage and judged that it was safe, and neglected their vigilance.

☞ First, Sardis was conquered in BC 547 by Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II of Persia, reigned BC 559~BC 529) of the Persian Empire (BC 691~BC 330). Believing in the strength of the fort, the sentry (or watchman) was placed only at the narrow entrance, but the sentry fell asleep and dropped the helmet down into the cliff, and the position of the narrow entrance to Sardis was discovered, and finally Sardis was conquered.

☞ Second, Sardis was conquered in BC 214, for the same reason, by Antiochus III the Great(reigned BC 221~BC 187) of the Seleucid or Selucid Empire(BC 312~BC 63) in Syria one of the four dynasties after the death of Alexander III (reigned BC 336~BC 323) of the Greek Empire(BC 514~BC 146 or BC 30).

○ The church in Sardis, which had a historical background such unforgettable and painful lessons, repeated the same mistake in Christian history. The descendants of the reformer thought they had won the struggle over the Roman Catholic. So they started to settle down by creating organizations and religious groups or denominations. Taking advantage of this chance, the Roman Catholic made a massive counterattack, as a result, Protestantism began to split, and by the end of the 18th century, it split into Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Holiness Church, and Full Gospel Church, etc. 

○ That's why Jesus Christ, commanding the army, gives the command to the Christians in Sardis to “wake up" as a command to the watchman (or sentry). And Jesus warns, "If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.“ (NIV)