What does Revelation 3:4 mean?

All was not lost in the church at Sardis. In this verse Jesus explains that a few faithful believers in Sardis had kept themselves pure. They had avoided the corruption that permeated the culture. No stain of immorality and idolatry soiled their lives. Unlike their slumbering fellow Christians, this faithful minority had kept a watchful eye for anything and anyone that might cause them to stumble and fall into sin.

Decades prior to the writing of these words, the original city of Sardis had failed to maintain active sentry duty and paid a heavy price for its neglect. What was assumed to be an impenetrable fortress was overrun thanks to complacency and arrogance. Thankfully, the faithful Christians among the church of Sardis had not fallen into the same error.

Like the faithful minority at Sardis, believers today need to be watchful. The apostle Peter urged believers to be "sober-mindful; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus promised the faithful believers at Sardis that they would walk with Him in white because they were worthy. The white garments are symbolic of righteousness (Revelation 3:18; 7:14).