Sardis (Those Escaping)
Background
Sardis was the capital city of Lydia in the province of Asia, in Western Asia Minor (modern Turkey). It was situated on the east bank of the Pactolus River about 50 miles east of Smyrna.
Much of Sardis wealth came from gold taken from the Pactolus River, and gold and silver coins were first minted at Sardis. It was also a center for wool production and the garment industry.
The city’s main object of worship was the goddess Cybele, which was the same goddess worshipped at Ephesus as Artemis (Diana). The new temple was sponsored at least in part by King Croesus, being built in the 4th century B.C. The temple was 327 feet long and 163 feet wide. It had 78 Ionic columns, each 58 feet high.
Hot springs not far from Sardis were celebrated as a spot in which the gods manifested their supposed power to give life to the dead.
In John’s day Sardis was prosperous but decaying, its glory days long past. The church at Sardis was dead (Matthew 23:27). Its thriving healthy appearance masked an inner decay.
©2012 Kenute P. Curry. All rights reserved.
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