Here is one verse to think about. Revelation 3:4 he is talking to the church in Sardis....Thou has a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and theyu shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. Now guys what about those that were worthy but defiled themselves....He didn't say they were going to walk with him.

Look a bit further in v. 5: "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white." Does this mean there are different levels of spirituality in Heaven indicated by the color one wears there, like colors of a belt in martial arts indicate one's level of expertise?

If you take the verse strictly as written, it would seem there is.

Now guys what about those that were worthy but defiled themselves....He didn't say they were going to walk with him.

What does "walk with Me" mean? Unsaved? Saved? Saved but closer to Jesus than others?

Verses like these are ground for interpretation and faith.

This is true but Jesus said it best to the thief this day you will be with me in paradise. The interpretation of the believers in white are the ones who stayed on the narrow path Jesus mapped out for us. If you were once a believer and messed up without repenting then you won't have a white robe or be able to walk with Jesus, you have to remember our very best is like filthy rags to God. You also have to remember that someone who was saved 10 mins before the end of time will still have a white robe just like the Christian who worked 20 years.

The interpretation of the believers in white are the ones who stayed on the narrow path Jesus mapped out for us.

Your interpretation, yes. But not everyone's.

If you were once a believer and messed up without repenting then you won't have a white robe or be able to walk with Jesus

Again, this is *your* interpretation.

I don't want to seem like I'm harping on this, but one of the besetting sins in the body of Christ is the conviction our own interpretations are always the right ones and any different ones are automatically wrong or not as accurate as ours.

I suffer from it myself, so I'm not accusing anyone of anything I'm not guilty of as well.

Ok, Ken we agree to disagree, right?

Bonpetitepoodle, Jesus did say to the "thief" (he was actually a 'sicarius'., or Jewish patriot rebel who murdered Roman soldiers,... common thievery was not punished by crucifixion, only crimes against the state of Rome) "This day shalt thou be with me in paradise. What is "paradise"? Why did Jesus not say, 'thou shalt be with me in "heaven"? Jesus used the word 'heaven' often in his preaching. He never used the word 'paradise' except for this one time...that is, if the translation from the Greek is correct. (?) A question for discussion, perhaps? (smile)

Bonpetite, Who is speaking in the book of "Revelation"? Do you think it is Jesus? Read carefully. This "scripture" was very nearly rejected by the bishops at Nicaea, It made it by one vote only out of nearly four hundred votes. If I had been a delegate..it would not have been accepted into the "cannon" or official books. It would be in the Apocrypha where it belongs. (those writings that were rejected). I would have voted it down. It is not even Christian. It is Gnostic. Read about the Gnostics. It does not belong in the New Testament. I am hardly the only one who does not accept it. Many New Testament scholars of many denominations do not accept it either. So, anything in it is of no value to me.except as a secular and historical study. Sorry, but this an open board and all may state their views. At least that was my understanding.