[Sardis]
Following the Thyatira era was the
period of church history represented by the church in
Sardis. To this church
I wrote: 'These things says he that has the seven Spirits of God,
and the seven stars; I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead.' (Rev. 3:1). After
many centuries of entrenched apostasy, the Sardis era dawned with
the raising up of the great reformers who protested the
abuses and falsehoods of the Roman system. The
scriptures began to be opened to them and they began to
speak the truth with power. The discovery of printing
and the invention of the printing press also enabled
them to print and distribute portions of the scriptures
to multitudes of people. In time a mighty movement was
sweeping across the formerly Catholic dominated
countries of Europe, and that which was later
known as Protestantism was born. That is why I spoke as
the one who 'has the seven spirits of God, and the seven
stars.' For the first time in hundreds of years there
was a large scale spiritual awakening: a coming forth
from slumber and darkness. The seven stars indicate
the coming forth during that time of a true spiritual
ministry, and the seven spirits portray the working of
the spirit of revelation and power. Thus it was
fulfilled that the church of the reformation had a name
that lived; but immediately following I said 'and are
dead.' (Rev. 3:1). Why?
Although the reformers broke away
from the dead forms of the Roman church, they very soon
began to establish church systems patterned after their
Catholic mother. Although avoiding the complete
centralization of power, they began to erect hierarchies
of authority by means of man-made denominational
councils and clerical bodies of various kinds. There was
also a further turning to the ‘arm of flesh' by entering
into the church-state relationship in various
countries. A further deadening influence came from
the creedal battles which ensued for many years. Thus
that which had sprung forth as a living movement
gradually became crystallized into well-established
and organized denominations with rigid lines of
demarcation, and fixed creeds and forms. Therefore
did I speak: 'Be watchful, and strengthen the things
which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not
found your works perfect before God.
Remember therefore how you have received and heard,
and hold fast, and repent. If therefore you shall not watch, I will
come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I
will come upon you.' (Rev. 3:2-3).
The fact that I spoke of my coming
‘as a thief’ indicates that the Protestant
denominations, along with their Catholic mother, will
not be expecting my return, but will be taken completely
by surprise. There are a few, however, who will be
ready. Of them did I speak: ‘You have a few names even
in Sardis which have not
defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in
white: for they are worthy.' (Rev. 3:4). Their garments,
which they have kept undefiled, are their inner soul
garments. Originally washed in the blood of the lamb
(Rev. 1:5, 7:14), they have been kept continually white
and pure through obedience to the truth, and the washing
of the water of the Word (I Pet. 1:22, Ephes. 5:26-27).
They shall ‘walk with me in white' by being received of
me when I come as a thief at the beginning of the
tribulation period, and by being clothed with their
glorified bodies.
As in the other letters, a further
promise was given to the overcomers. 'He that overcomes, the same shall be
clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his
name out of the book of life, but I will confess his
name before my Father, and before his angels.' (Rev.
3:5). The white raiment mentioned here symbolizes the
glorified bodies with which the translated saints will
be clothed. On its own plane such a body glows with the
soft white light of the glory of God. When manifesting
on the earth plane and appearing to those yet in the
flesh, the glorified body vibrates to the pitch of flesh
and bone (Luke 24:39) and is as tangible as any flesh
and blood body; but its sustaining principle is no
longer the life in the blood, which links the body
with the earth and its elements, for the very
life-substance of God sustains it and relates it to the
plane of divine life and light. It is because the
overcomer is so clothed that I am able to confess his
name before my Father and before His angels. None
except those so clothed will ever be ushered into
the presence of the most high God. And to them is the
added assurance given that under no circumstances will
their name ever be removed from the book of life. They
will be sons of glory, manifesting the life and light of
God on their own plane, but also ministering to and
watching over those who are yet on the earth plane. They
shall be joined by a great host at the close of the
tribulation as many more overcomers put on their
garments of light and glory, to be united with me in
joint-heirship and joint-rulership of all that is mine.
(Rev. 7:9-17).