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1. And unto the angel [messenger,
Wycliff] of the church in Sardis [traditionally defined as
"that
which remains," but this definition is difficult to confirm, however, the Diaglott,
Appendix, defines Sardis as, "Prince of Joy," which could be the
fact that Wycliff placed Christ as the center of Christian hope and joy] write:
These things saith he that hath the seven spirits [promises recorded in
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26-28; 3:5, 12, 21 which come from God, Revelation 4:5 and through
the Lamb Rev. 5:6] of God, and the seven stars [messengers given to the
seven churches]; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest [in
name only], and art dead.2. Be watchful, and strengthen the
things [good works] which remain, that are ready to die [cease
entirely]: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.
3. Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast
[to these], and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I [Jesus] will
come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour [of the coming
harvest] I will come upon thee.
4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis [during this
fifth period of the church], which have not defiled their garments
[become impure and contaminated]; and they shall walk with me in white
[in actual righteousness]: for they are worthy.
5. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment
[with actual righteousness]; and I will not blot out his name out of the book
[scroll] of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his
angels [messengers].
6. He that hath an ear [a receptive and understanding mind], let
him hear what the Spirit [of promise] saith unto the churches
[all seven periods of the churches]. |
