C.H. Spurgeon delivers a solemn warning to the churches, drawing parallels between the contemporary church and the church in Sardis as described in Revelation. He emphasizes the general defilement of the church, where many profess to be alive in Christ but are spiritually dead, and calls for a return to sincere faith and zeal. Spurgeon highlights the need for special preservation of the few who remain faithful and the peculiar reward awaiting them, which is communion with Christ. He urges the congregation to examine their own hearts and ensure they are among the few who have not defiled their garments, warning of the dire consequences for mere professors of faith. The sermon concludes with a call to action for believers to remain vigilant and active in their faith.

Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of self-evaluation within the church, highlighting the downward trends seen in the five backslidden churches of Revelation. He warns against complacency and the dangers of losing one's first love for Christ, which leads to worldliness, hypocrisy, and spiritual decay. Poonen contrasts these with the faithful churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia, which exemplify perseverance and faithfulness amidst trials. He calls on believers to judge themselves constantly to avoid the fate of the backslidden and to seek fellowship with churches that uphold the true testimony of Christ. Ultimately, he encourages the pursuit of being overcomers who reflect the glory of the Lord.

John Nelson Darby addresses the question of whether the church has continued in God's goodness, arguing that the professing church has deviated from its original purpose by relying on ceremonies and sacraments instead of Christ. He emphasizes that if the church does not remain faithful, it risks being cut off, similar to Israel's fate, and warns of the apostasy that has already begun, as evidenced by the corruption within the church. Darby cites Jude and other scriptures to illustrate the historical decline of the church and the need for believers to contend for the faith. He concludes that the church's current state is a sign of impending judgment, rather than the fulfillment of God's promise to fill the earth with His glory.