Revelation 3:1-2

Revelation 3:1-2

[1] And  unto the angel  of the church  in  Sardis  write;  These things  saith  he that hath  the seven  Spirits  of God,  and  the seven  stars;  I know  works,  that  thou hast  a name  that  thou livest,  and  dead.  [2] Be  watchful,  and  strengthen  the things which remain,  that  are  ready to die:  for  not  found  works  perfect  before  God. 

What does Revelation 3:1-2 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

The Lord gave less praise to this church than to any of the churches except Laodicea, which received none. The only good thing He said to these Christians was that they had a good reputation, evidently among the other churches. However, they were really a dead church and their good works were not as impressive as they should have been. Only a few of their number were faithful to the Lord ( Revelation 3:4).
"The temple to Artemis (possibly Cybele) equaled in size the famous temple of Artemis in Ephesus. However, the temple at Sardis was never finished." [1]
This tendency to fail to finish what they had begun characterized the Christians too.
"No city of Asia at that time showed such a melancholy contrast between past splendor and present decay as Sardis." [2]
"Death was a special preoccupation of the Sardians, as witnessed by the impressive necropolis seven miles from the city." [3]
"Dr. Vance Havner has frequently reminded us that spiritual ministries often go through four stages: a Prayer of Manasseh , a movement, a machine, and then a monument. Sardis was at the "monument" stage, but there was still hope!" [4]