The Few in Sardis
Revelation 3:4
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.


I. The RARITY of those who are the true saints on the earth. Sadly the truth presses on every mind that it is the many who are sluggish and fruitless, it is only the few who are faithful. A little band of executive Church labourers produce what each year gathers.

II. Their PURITY. They "have not defiled their garments." Holiness of life is more than vividness of experience.

III. The PROSPECT of the saints.

1. The word here rendered "walk" means to accompany around. Thence it is applied to sharing the continuous lot of one with whom we dwell.

2. "They shall walk with Me." The companionship is that of Christ Himself, for it is He that is here speaking.

3. It is the symbol of glory hereinafter to be revealed to believers. Here are two thoughts distinctly suggested, each of which has great value. The one is that the glory of that future state is not so much in its triumphs and trophies as in its graces. The glory is its sinlessness, its perfect freedom from all pollution. So it is of much more importance what we shall be than what we shall have. Then the other thought is that holiness here is its own reward, here and yonder too.

IV. The PREROGATIVE of the saints. "They are worthy." The significance of this statement takes its force from the connection in which it stands. One prerogative is asserted in their behalf; they are proper companions for God's Son.

(C. S. Robinson, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

WEB: Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their garments. They will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.




The Duty of Maintaining an Unsullied Character
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