# General Information:

This is the beginning of the Son of Man's message to the angel of the church in Sardis.

# the angel

Possible meanings are that this "angel" is 1) a heavenly angel who protects this church or 2) a human messenger to the church, either a messenger who went from John to the church or the leader of the church. See how you translated "angel" in [Revelation 1:20](../01/20.md).

# Sardis

This is the name of a city in the western part of Asia that today is modern Turkey. See how you translated this in [Revelation 1:11](../01/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names]])

# the seven spirits

The number seven is a symbol of completeness and perfection. The "seven spirits" refers either to the Spirit of God or to seven spirits who serve God. See how you translated this in [Revelation 1:4](../01/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-symlanguage]])

# the seven stars

These stars are symbols that represent the seven angels of the seven churches. See how you translated this in [Revelation 1:16](../01/16.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/writing-symlanguage]])

# You have a name that you are alive

The word "name" here is a metonym for a reputation. Alternate translation: "You have a reputation for being  alive" or "People think that you are alive" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metonymy]])

# alive ... dead

Obeying and honoring God is spoken of as being alive; disobeying and dishonoring him is spoken of as being dead. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])