Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7-13

And to the messenger of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The holy one – the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens – says this. “I have known your works. Behold, I have given in your presence an open door, which no one is powerful enough to shut. I know that you have little power, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will give over those out of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie.  Behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they should know that I loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is about to come on the whole world, to try those who live on the earth.  I come quickly. Seize what you have, so that no one may take your crown. I will make the one who conquers a pillar in the temple of my God. He should surely never go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Once more we have Jesus’ identity.  Here we get a new identity: the one who holds the key of David.  What is the key of David?  Remember that David was the great king and priest of God’s city.  What does Jesus open to us?  Jesus opens up God’s new city.  Jesus opens up eternal life for each of us if we are willing to receive it.  What’s more is that when Jesus opens it, nobody can shut it!  Nobody can take away God’s offer of salvation.  Jesus wants these people in Philadelphia to understand that nothing that they experience in this life can take away eternal life because Jesus Himself has opened up the door for them.

How do you take advantage of the door to eternal life that Jesus has opened up for you?  Why do you think that Jesus would want to remind the people of Philadelphia – and us – that nobody can remove this offer from our lives?

Second Thought:

When it comes to the list of compliments, the list is fairly short.  However, look what Jesus says.  He knows that they are not powerful.  They are not influential people.  They have little ability to change much about life around them.  Yet, they have been faithful.  They have been patient in their endurance.  They have not denied the name of Christ.  They may be little in power, but they are faithful in what they have.  That is all God can ask of us.

Are you faithful in what you have?  Would you consider yourself as a person with little influence or great influence?  Why is it important to remain faithful in whatever God has given to us?

Third Thought:

When it comes time to the critique, you will notice that these people don’t find themselves faced with a critique from God.  They have so little that it is hard to tell them that they could be doing more.  They are already doing well with what they have!  However, just because there is no critique does not mean that there is no challenge.  God wants them to hold fast to what they have because there are people who will try and take it away.  They are little in power, of course people will want to stand over them and try and take advantage of them!  They need to continue to remain firm in the faith.  If they do, Jesus tells them that they will become a pillar in the temple of God.  What are pillars?  Pillars are the strength of the building.  Pillars are what supports the roof!  Jesus is telling these people of little power that if they remain faithful they will be seen as people of great power.  The challenge of Jesus leads to Him being able to flip our circumstances and turn what looks like a negative into a positive.

Where are you strong when you have no reason to be strong?  Where do people try and take what faith you have?  Where are you challenged to hold fast to the faith?

Passage for Tomorrow: Revelation 3:14-22