The Eulogy for the Undefiled at Sardis
By Obadiah Sampali
By Obadiah Sampali
“Thou has 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).
Of course the word ‘names’ means ‘people’ as it says in Acts 1:15 concerning those in the upper room, “the number of names together were about 120.” But to me it goes far beyond just signifying people; it brings out that truth that is set forth in every age which was spoken to us by our Lord with great emphasis. It is this: the church system in each of these ages is made up of two vines, one true and one false. God in His own sovereign purpose has put them all together, calling them the church. See in this age how He has rebuked them saying, “unto the church which is” –not “churches are” … “I know thy works … you are dead …your works are unfulfilled …” And then He goes on – “Thou (this church in Sardis) hast a few people in you that are right, and not wrong like the majority. These walk in clean garments and they are worthy of Me.”
Now these people that were the true saints of God were walking “all pleasing unto the Lord.” Their garments were clean. You see, in those days the garments would sweep along on the road and pick up dirt and defilement. These were watching how they walked so that they were not corrupted by the world. They were in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit. They were holy and without blame before Him. Thus they were fulfilling the purpose of God for us, “that we should be holy and without blame before Him.”
Now from this verse which shows the elect of God to be a “Few Names,” you can see clearly what we have been teaching about this degenerate church as it was represented here by the Savior. It was chaotic. It was UNFULFILLED. It was split scores of ways, and God rebuked it almost in its entirety. It was weak and sickly and ready to die. It was not the glorious era that carnal minded Protestant historians have tried to make it. One quick look at that tree saw it was cankered and blighted, denuded of leaf and barren of fruit except for some deformed and wormy fruit that was dropping to the ground.
But wait for a moment! Look closer. There at the top, in the light of the sun, were some ‘first fruits’ – a ‘Few Names’ – perfect in Him for they were born of Him, filled with Him and walking with Him by His Word. Thank God for ‘those few’. “And they shall walk with Me.” That is what God says He will bestow upon them for this upright walk by faith. That is part of their inheritance that He has reserved for them. If they were willing to walk with Him through the toils and snares of life and be an honor to Him, He was going to reward them. He is not forgetful of our labor of love. God will always recompense us for our efforts to please Him. Yes, they had walked through the world and, yet, had not partaken of it. They had not let the world system overcome them. When the illustrious names of that age had yielded to the blandishment of the world and their chosen worldly-mindedness rather than spiritual mindedness and were on their way back into the world, these few stood for the Word of God, and thereby honored the Lord. Now He would honor them in return. For they shall walk with Him in white. They had identified themselves with Him on earth and now He would identify Himself with them in the New Jerusalem. And how marvelous will be that identification! It makes me rejoice and yet it makes me weep to think of His condescension, for you will note that He is not dressed in another color different from the saints, as earthly leaders would so do. No, they are like Him; He is like them. They are like Him, even as John said; for they "shall see Him as He is.” “For they are worthy.”
Do you realize Who is saying this? It is Jesus, the worthy One, Himself. This is the only One Who is accounted worthy to take the book out of the hand of Him Who sits upon the throne (cf. Rev. 5:1-7). And now this Worthy One is saying to His saints, “You are worthy.” Here is this One, the only One qualified to judge, (and indeed all judgment is committed unto Him,) and He says, “You are worthy.” These words are astounding as are the words in Romans 8:33b, “God says I am righteous.” (Way Trans.) There in the white light of God’s righteousness, hear the sweet voice of Jesus as He says, “These are Mine. They are righteous. They are worthy. They shall walk with Me in white.” –wotruthministries@yahoo.ca
Of course the word ‘names’ means ‘people’ as it says in Acts 1:15 concerning those in the upper room, “the number of names together were about 120.” But to me it goes far beyond just signifying people; it brings out that truth that is set forth in every age which was spoken to us by our Lord with great emphasis. It is this: the church system in each of these ages is made up of two vines, one true and one false. God in His own sovereign purpose has put them all together, calling them the church. See in this age how He has rebuked them saying, “unto the church which is” –not “churches are” … “I know thy works … you are dead …your works are unfulfilled …” And then He goes on – “Thou (this church in Sardis) hast a few people in you that are right, and not wrong like the majority. These walk in clean garments and they are worthy of Me.”
Now these people that were the true saints of God were walking “all pleasing unto the Lord.” Their garments were clean. You see, in those days the garments would sweep along on the road and pick up dirt and defilement. These were watching how they walked so that they were not corrupted by the world. They were in the Spirit and walking in the Spirit. They were holy and without blame before Him. Thus they were fulfilling the purpose of God for us, “that we should be holy and without blame before Him.”
Now from this verse which shows the elect of God to be a “Few Names,” you can see clearly what we have been teaching about this degenerate church as it was represented here by the Savior. It was chaotic. It was UNFULFILLED. It was split scores of ways, and God rebuked it almost in its entirety. It was weak and sickly and ready to die. It was not the glorious era that carnal minded Protestant historians have tried to make it. One quick look at that tree saw it was cankered and blighted, denuded of leaf and barren of fruit except for some deformed and wormy fruit that was dropping to the ground.
But wait for a moment! Look closer. There at the top, in the light of the sun, were some ‘first fruits’ – a ‘Few Names’ – perfect in Him for they were born of Him, filled with Him and walking with Him by His Word. Thank God for ‘those few’. “And they shall walk with Me.” That is what God says He will bestow upon them for this upright walk by faith. That is part of their inheritance that He has reserved for them. If they were willing to walk with Him through the toils and snares of life and be an honor to Him, He was going to reward them. He is not forgetful of our labor of love. God will always recompense us for our efforts to please Him. Yes, they had walked through the world and, yet, had not partaken of it. They had not let the world system overcome them. When the illustrious names of that age had yielded to the blandishment of the world and their chosen worldly-mindedness rather than spiritual mindedness and were on their way back into the world, these few stood for the Word of God, and thereby honored the Lord. Now He would honor them in return. For they shall walk with Him in white. They had identified themselves with Him on earth and now He would identify Himself with them in the New Jerusalem. And how marvelous will be that identification! It makes me rejoice and yet it makes me weep to think of His condescension, for you will note that He is not dressed in another color different from the saints, as earthly leaders would so do. No, they are like Him; He is like them. They are like Him, even as John said; for they "shall see Him as He is.” “For they are worthy.”
Do you realize Who is saying this? It is Jesus, the worthy One, Himself. This is the only One Who is accounted worthy to take the book out of the hand of Him Who sits upon the throne (cf. Rev. 5:1-7). And now this Worthy One is saying to His saints, “You are worthy.” Here is this One, the only One qualified to judge, (and indeed all judgment is committed unto Him,) and He says, “You are worthy.” These words are astounding as are the words in Romans 8:33b, “God says I am righteous.” (Way Trans.) There in the white light of God’s righteousness, hear the sweet voice of Jesus as He says, “These are Mine. They are righteous. They are worthy. They shall walk with Me in white.” –wotruthministries@yahoo.ca
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