Apocalipse 3

Apocalipse 3

Robertson observes "Faith is dominant in Paul, victory in John, faith is victory (1 Jn 5:4+)." Will thus be clothed (periballo) in white (leukos) garments (himaton) - Here is the first promise to the "few people who have not soiled their garments", the small remnant of overcomers in the largely "dead church" at Sardis. By extension this is a promise of white garments for ALL believers in all ages even if they are members of a dead church! As noted white is the color of heavenly garb of all the redeemed (cf. Rev 6:11+; Rev 7:9,13+; Rev 19:8,14+) and speaks of holiness and purity. There were white robes for Christ (Mt. 17:2+; Mk 9:3+), His angels (Mt. 28:3+; Mk 16:5+, Acts 1:10+), and the armies in heaven (Rev 19:8,14+). See note above on how the overcomers were made worthy to walk in white (cf Rev 7:14+, Rev 22:14+). In addition in the ancient world, white robes were commonly worn at festivals and celebrations, which could speak of the joy we will experience in Heaven. Every man still in Adam has a garment of "filthy rags" in God's sight (Isaiah 64:6), but once they confess Christ and are placed in Christ they are "made the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21+). In Rev 5:9+ John explains how the glorious white garments were made available to overcomers "And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You (CHRIST) to take the book (SEVEN SEALED SCROLL) and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." Jesus paid the prices to purchase our white garments! John then explains that the saints "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Rev 7:14+) When a saint believes, he is clothed in the righteousness of Christ, in effect washing his filthy rags and now supernaturally made white the blood of the Lamb. And in Rev 12:11+ John adds that our white garments were not earned but bestowed on all overcomers for "they overcame him (THE DEVIL) because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony (CONFESSED JESUS AS LORD - Ro 10:9-10+), and they did not love their life even when faced with death." As Christ appeared in dazzling white at His transfiguration (Luke 9:29+), so all believers shall appear with Him in glory (Colossians 3:4+) The picture of “walking in white” is Jesus' promise of eternal, unblemished righteousness for every overcomer. Lehman Strauss reminds us that "The man without a wedding garment cannot be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb (see Matthew 22:11-14+)."