"A Few Names"

Jesus' next words to the congregation in Sardis are most encouraging. He says: "Nevertheless, you do have a few names in Sardis that did not defile their outer garments, and they shall walk with me in white ones, because they are worthy. He that conquers will thus be arrayed in white outer garments; and I will by no means blot out his name from the book of life, but I will make acknowledgment of his name before my Father and before his angels." (Revelation 3:4, 5. Do not these words arouse us and strengthen our determination to be faithful? Because of our negligence on the part of a body of elders, a congregation as a whole may fall into deep spiritual sleep. Yet, some individuals therein may strive courageously to keep their Christians identity pure and unspotted and thus continue to have a good name with Jehovah.- Proverbs 22:1.

Yes, those "outer garments" refer to a person's righteous identity as a Christian. (Compare Revelation 16:15; 19:8) It must be heartwarming for Jesus to see that, despite the apathy of the great majority, "a few names," a few anointed Christians were absorbed into Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, during the long centuries of the great apostasy,there must always have been a few individuals who tried, against great odds, to do Jehovah's will. These were righteous like wheat hidden amid a profusion of sectarian weeds.- Revelation 17:3-6; Matthew 13:24-29.

Jesus promised that he would be with these wheat like Christians "all the days until the conclusion of the system of things." He knows who they are and what good names they made for themselves. (Matthew 28:20; Ecclesiastes 7:1) Imagine the joy of those faithful "few" who were still alive at the start of the Lord's day! They were finally separated from spiritually dead Christendom and were gathered into a righteous congregation more like the congregation in Smyrna.-Matthew 13:40-43.

Those in Sardis who are faithful to the end and do not sully their Christian identity attain the realization of a wonderful hope. After the establishment of Jesus' Messianic Kingdom in 1914, they are resurrected to spirit life and as conquerors are arrayed with white outer garments in symbol of their flawless, untainted righteousness. Having walked the cramped road that leads to life, they will enjoy an eternal reward.- Matthew 7:14; see also Revelation 6:9-11.

Next time: Forever In The Book Of Life!