to offer, no works of charity, service, faith, and patience of which to approve.  They had works, but these were not “perfect before God.”  They were threatened with sudden visitation, as unexpected as a thief breaking in unawares upon the slumbering inmates of a dwelling in the still hours of night.  Their condition was different from that of any of the churches before mentioned.  They are not charged with such vile practises as prevailed at Pergamus and Thyatira, the doctrine of the Nicolaitans had gained no foothold among them, yet their works were not perfect.  “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and are dead.”  They had maintained the external form of religion, but the vital power of godliness was lacking.

Although Christ could not commend this church as a body, on account of their lack of spirituality, yet he testified, “Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments.”  In the midst of all the cold formalism of professors and surrounded by worldliness and iniquity, a few preserved their Christian integrity and were approved by the Lord.  “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this ... to keep himself unspotted from the world.”  Jas. 1:27.  All such overcomers have the promise of being clothed in white raiment ("the righteousness of saints “—­chap. 19:8) and of having their names preserved in the “book of life” in heaven and confessed before the Father and the holy angels.  Wondrous admission into the heavenly realm!  Presented to the Father and the innumerable hosts of heaven by the Lord, himself, there, amid sacred environments, to enjoy the transcendent felicity of eternal blessedness!  “They are worthy,” saith Christ.

Although this church was threatened with sudden visitation, there is no hint given of the manner in which this should be fulfilled, for the reason, perhaps, that it might be all the more unexpected.  The church has long since passed out of existence.  The city itself has lain in ruins for centuries, the modern village of Sart composed of a few huts inhabited by semi-nomadic Yuruks alone remaining near the ancient site.  Cattle now graze on grassy plains once traversed by streets and thronged with the inhabitants of this superb metropolis.

7.  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

    8.  I know thy works:  behold, I have set before thee an open
    door, and no man can shut it:  for thou hast a little strength,
    and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9.  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

    10.  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will
    keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all
    the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.