Preparing for Discipleship
Sardis: Paying Attention
The fifth letter is to the seeker in Sardis.
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” Rev 3:1
The seven Spirits represent seven great creative entities representing the seven rays. They are said to be the seven spirits before the throne of God. (See Rev 4:5) The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, or the aspiring disciples in their various stages of progression.
There is another correspondence, however. The seven stars represent the lower natures of the seven groups and the seven spirits. These seven spirits are also called “lamps of fire,” and represent the higher natures, or higher selves of the various seekers. Visualize the faint light of a star and a blazing lamp of fire and we get an idea of the difference between the two.
Even so, a twinkle of light is still a light and a beginning of the igniting of a greater light that will later shine as a sun. Therefore, the Master does nourish the little lights, for a star is merely a blazing sun placed at far distance.
The inner Christ makes an interesting statement. He says he “hath” both the seven Spirits as well as the seven stars. He is saying that the dim light in the seeker is the same light that blazes in our higher natures, which is one with God. Both the high and the low are contained in the mind and heart of God.
Why does the master start this letter by telling the seeker this? It is because at this stage of the journey he is tired and sometimes feels that God has forsaken him. He begins to question whether the far away reward is worth all the effort and trouble. If he is diligent he hears the inner voice when he reaches this stage – “I have not forsaken you. I hold you close to me and call you my own, just as I do the archangels before my throne.”
The voice continues: “I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.”
The seeker has a living name that represents the Christ or God Within. This tells us that he has “the name of God in his forehead” and is attempting to do a living work that will assist the forces of light and love to manifest on the earth. Even though he intellectually knows he is following the right path, he fears that God has forsaken him, and begins to get discouraged. He has doubts about many things that previously enlivened him.
It’s been a while since he heard a clear communication from the inner voice. Perhaps God is discouraged with him and has cut him off, or maybe he just imagined the inner voice to begin with.
He searches within one more time in desperate need of instruction and finally hears the voice again telling him how to get back on track.
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” Rev 3:2
He learns that one of the reasons that he lost some sensitivity to the inner voice is that the quality of his works has been low. This is what happens to the seeker when he becomes weary of the journey and loses faith. He then just goes through the motions of service. If his heart is not really in it the quality of his works will suffer.
The solution given by the revelation is to: “be watchful.”
This harmonizes with the advice of Socrates. He said “The unexamined life is not worth living.” One of the reasons the seeker feels dead to the spirit is he has been negligent in examining himself and watching, or paying attention to the inner voice. The truth is that the Inner Christ did not leave him. Instead, the seeker got lazy and drifted away from his Source.
The second word of advice was to “strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.”
He has gained many good qualities and principles on his journey, but has not been watchful and taken his attention off them. Therefore, much of the good that he has gained so far is in danger of dying to him. He must take immediate steps to strengthen his hold on all the spiritual qualities he has gained. Above all, he must re-establish his focus on the Inner Christ.
The advice continues:
“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” Rev 3:3
The advice is concise. The seeker must ever remember “how” he has received and “hold fast.” How does he receive instructions from the inner voice? By watching or putting consistent attention on it. He must hold fast to this process or he could suffer a spiritual death. He is told to “repent.” In other words, return to his core principles, which have served him well.
If he does not restore his spiritual base the next time he receives an inner communication, it will not be to console him, but will be something alarming that he is ill prepared to receive.
The Outer Garment
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.” Rev 3:4
This Sardis period could be called “The Dark Night of the Soul.” Here the seeker must move forward even though he may be discouraged and feels he is at a far distance from true spiritual power. Many give up for a period of time and seek to be a “normal” person again. Not all, however, take a detour on the Path for there are “a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments.”
How does one defile his garments?
The garment represents the life of the seeker in the outer world. The inner world of the seeker cannot be defiled, for that is where God is and this cannot be disturbed. It can be ignored by the seeker, but not defiled. However, the actions of the seeker in the outer world may revert to serving self over the good of the whole, and thus stain his outer garments.
It is written that those who keep their garments pure “shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”
How do you walk with God “in white?” White is all seven colors combined or synthesized into one. Those who walk with God in white in reality walk or work with the whole rather than focus on the individual self. In focussing on the “whole” they become “holy.”
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Rev 3:5
White raiment is a symbol of the reward of a holy person or synthesizer. Not too often in life do we meet a person dressed all in bright white. If we do he will really stand out and cannot be ignored. Even so, the seeker who successfully treads the path of wholeness will stand out, not because others see an actual physical garment, but they will see his works and way of life. These will be as a synthetic white garment that projects the intent of purity.
The actions and work of the pure in heart are as the writing of a name that is also pure and the soul within sends a vibration to higher realms (the Father) that the seeker has passed the test in Sardis and is ready to move on.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Rev 3:6
Again, the reminder to listen to the Spirit within. This is always a necessity if the seeker is to progress to the next stage.
The Ray of Sardis
At Stage Five, the seeker is governed by Ray Five, The Ray of Science or Concrete Knowledge.
Here the aspirant must use his concrete mind to “be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain.” He must remember and reflect upon the knowledge he has received and use that which is logical and reasonable to move ahead.
Jan 29, 2007
Easy Access to All the Writings
For Free Book go HERE and other books HERE
JJ’s Amazon page HERE
Check out JJ’s Facebook Group HERE
Follow JJ on Twitter @JosephJDewey HERE
Check out JJ’s videos on TikTok HERE