Summary: Every army since ancient times until today has used the basic military tactic of placing guards at night (and sometimes during the day) to keep watch. This is a vital assignment because the safety and defence of the camp, including all of the personnel and military assets within, depends on it. Any violation of duty – especially falling asleep – is a serious offense and severely punishable. In His love letter to the church in Sardis, Jesus is attempting to wake up that church because it had fallen asleep spiritually. It had been lulled by a false sense of security and was almost dead according to Jesus, even though it had a reputation of being alive.