FAITHFUL CHURCH (Rev 3:7- 13)

There’s no rebuke from our Lord Jesus Christ, only words of encouragement to this Church at Philadelphia...

1.     Power of Christ

Jesus is described as the one “who has the key of David,” a key with which “He opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” In the Bible, keys represent authority and power.

2.     Faithful Perseverance for Christ

Jesus says to this church, “You have a little strength.” It refers to a church that is a small church, a struggling church, a church that was not very impressive on the outside, just a little power, just a little influence, just a little strength, a church persecuted and yet, faithful. Those “who say they are Jews and are not, but lie” refers to those who reject Jesus as the Divine Messiah. These are the Jews who live in Philadelphia who have excluded the Christians from worship at the synagogue. They have excommunicated the Jewish Christians. Jesus calls them “the synagogue of Satan.” persecuted and yet, faithful. Jesus says “you have kept My word, and not denied My name.”

The “hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world” is a reference to the “Great Tribulation”, Jesus has words of high praise for Christians who keep on in the midst of trials and difficulties. Remember, God has not called you to be successful. He has called you to be faithful. Commit to faithful perseverance for Christ.

3.     Future promises in Christ

“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown."(3:11)

He’s not talking about the possibility of losing our salvation. The idea is, don’t get your eyes off the goal. Stay focused and you will receive the reward of a crown of blessing. God will reward your faithfulness. Don’t get tripped up by the attraction of the world around you. Keep moving.

“The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.” (3:12)

Because of the earthquakes, the citizens in Philadelphia were often forced to move outside the city limits and start over. So Jesus is speaking metaphorically here. He speaks of stability and permanence that is found only in Him. “He who overcomes,” that is, “the true believer, the one who perseveres to the end,” Jesus says, “I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.” We are secure, we are stable, in Him. Writing names symbolically mean that Christians belong to Jesus.

This church represents faithful, obedient, evangelistic, missionary minded and carried out the great commission. We are to fulfil and carry out the great commission- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and spirit. Love your neighbour as yourself.

God gave them an open door. The more you are faithful, the more spiritual doors he opens. When the going gets tough, the true Christian keeps going.

God Bless!