"And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead...You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy." (Rev. 3:1,4)

In the movie Beau Geste, the Arabs were attacking a Legionnaire fort where only four Legionnaires were left alive. If the Arabs had known this, they could have easily taken the fort. However, the Legionnaires devised a plan to disguise their weak condition. They set up bodies of their dead comrades along the wall of the fort and ran back and forth, firing off the guns of their dead friends. From the outside, it all looked very convincing, but from the inside, there were only four men.

No doubt, there are many churches today which have the appearance of strength. However, if the truth were known, they have only a few who are righteous, are doing the work, and, through teaching and encouragement, are keeping the church together.