Apocalypse Explained, volume 1 - Swedenborg Foundation

APOCALYPSE EXPLAINED 309Revelation 31. And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, These things saithHe that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thyworks, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.2. Be wakeful, and confirm the things remaining that are about todie; for I have not found thy works full before God.3. Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and takeheed, and repent; if, therefore, thou shalt not be wakeful, I will comeon thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know in what hour I will comeupon thee.4. Thou hast a few names even in Sardis that have not defiled theirgarments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.5. He that overcometh shall be clothed in white garments; and I willnot blot his name out of the book of life; and I will confess his namebefore My Father and before His angels.6. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto thechurches.7. And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, These thingssaith the Holy, the True, He that hath the key of David, He thatopeneth and no one shutteth, and shutteth and no one openeth;8. I know thy works; behold, I have given before thee an opened door,and no one is able to shut it; for thou hast some power, and hast keptMy word, and hast not denied My name.9. Behold, I will give, from the synagogue of Satan, of those sayingthat they are Jews and they are not, but do lie; behold I will make themto come and worship at thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.10. Because thou hat kept the word of My endurance I also will keepthee from the hour of temptation that is to come upon the whole world,to try them that dwell upon the earth.11. Behold, I come quickly; hold fast what thou hast, that no onetake thy crown.12. He that overcometh I will make him a pillar in the temple of MyGod, and He shall go out thence no more; and I will write upon himthe name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the New