What is in a Name?

It is always fascinating to study the messages to the seven churches of Asia from the 2nd and 3rd chapters of Revelation. The Greek language reveals an interesting word play during the admonishment to the church at Sardis. Jesus says: "I know your deeds, you have a NAME for being alive, but you are dead." I highlighted "name" because that is what the original language says. The brethren there had become very lax in their faith. This was evidently a common problem among the residents there. In the 6th century BC, Cyrus had conquered the impregnable city when one of his soldiers climbed up the tall acropolis at an unguarded spot. 300 years later, Antiochus III was also able to capture the city because of negligent guards. It is interesting how Christ incorporated that information to make a spiritual point.

The remedy for their indolence is somewhat humorous considering the history of invasion. "Be alert!" Strengthen what remains before it dies and return to what you have received and heard and repent. But not everyone there is lifeless and impure. There are a few people ("names") in Sardis who are pure ("as indicated by the color "white"). Again the original language reveals the word "name" (3:4). The two uses of "name" form a wordplay. Christians in Sardis were a church in "name" only. If they did not correct this terrible unfaithfulness and laxity, they will lose even their "names" when they are blotted out of the Book of Life and their "names" are not recognized before the Father and his angels (3:5).

What is the lesson? There is an important reminder that the standards of the world and Christ are quite different. While people recognized the name of the Sardis church the Lord saw that all they had was a name and even it was in jeopardy. This begs the question, what is in a name?