To the Church in Sardis

3 “Write this to the ·angel [messenger; see 1:20] of the church in ·Sardis [^Cthe capital of the Roman province of Lydia in western Asia Minor]:

“The One [^Cthe resurrected Jesus] who has the ·seven spirits [^Creferring either to angels or to the “sevenfold Spirit”—the Holy Spirit portrayed in his perfection; 1:4] and the seven stars [1:16] says ·this [^Lthese things]: I know ·what you do [your works]. ·People say [^LYou have a name/reputation] that you are alive, but really you are dead.