in
Sardis, that have not defiled their garments; and they will walk
with me in white: for they are worthy. He, who overcometh, the
same one will be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out
his name from the book of life, but I will acknowledge his name
before my Father, and before his angels. He, who hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the congregations."--Rev.
3:1-6.

The church in Sardis was Christian in name, but was destitute of spiritual
life, with the exception of a few names who had not defiled their
garments. Having become dead to the revivifying influences of the Holy
Spirit, they are reminded that he who addresses them is the one who holds
their messenger in his hand, and who hath the seven Spirits of God;
_i.e._, that it was from the One who said of "the Comforter, which is the
Holy Ghost" (John 14:26), "when the Comforter is come, whom I will send
unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from
the Father, he shall testify of me," _Ib._ 15:26.

They had doubtless become greatly conformed to the corrupt worldly
influences by which they were surrounded, without having actually denied
the faith, or embraced the hated doctrines of the Nicolaitanes. Therefore
they were exhorted to hold fast all that they still retained, and, by
repentance, to recover what they had lost; and they were admonished that
if they neglected those precautions, they would be suddenly visited;
without its being designated what would be the precise nature, time, or
manner, of their visitation: which made the threatening the more terrible.

The "few names" which had not defiled their garments, were used by a
metonymy to signify persons. When an apostle was to be chosen in the place
of Judas, "the number of the names together were about one hundred and
twenty," Acts 1:15. Purity of raiment is significant of purity of
character: "Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments," 16:15.
White is an emblem of purity. To the "bride," it "was granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen clean and white: for the fine linen is the
righteousness of the saints," 19:8. Those who came out of great
tribulation, had "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of
the Lamb," (7:13); and therefore they were symbolized as standing before
the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms of
victory in their hands, 7:9. To be clothed in white r