Sardis, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia, lies 30 miles south-east of Thyatira.
One section was built on top of the hill on a natural acropolis that is rising 1,500 feet above valley floor and so nearly impregnable.
It is dominated by the ruins of an imposing Artemis temple and of a small basilica that has later been built at the back of the temple ruins.
Our guide says it is a sign that Christians felt they had triumphed over paganism, but it doesn’t look like a lasting triumph.
I read that the Christians had carved “light” and “life” on the Pagan temple walls, but all I can find is a pillar with faint cross etchings.
Once this place may have spoken about light and life, but now the place feels dead, a pile of ruins in admittedly beautiful countryside: mountains, fields, green hills.
Down in the valley, a gymnasium has been reconstructed. The outside high walls without windows look imposing, but somehow bleak.
Next door are the ruins of a big synagogue that was apparently sponsored by the Romans as a “thank you” for loyal service. I imagine a link between this and the Jewish persecution of Christians – the Jews may have felt that their commercial interests were threatened.
However, there is no evidence in Scripture that this was Sardis’s struggle. On the contrary, it appears that the Christians blended in all too well with their environment. John Stott describes it as maybe the first church in history which is dominated by people who are Christians by name only…
A call to prayer goes out, and the first words send shivers down my spine. They sound like “Watch out!” A warning Sardis clearly has not heeded.
The city itself had fallen twice to surprise attacks despite its advantageous position, so Jesus’s challenge in Revelation to be watchful perfectly fits the local circumstances…
