Revelation 3:7-13 Those who persevere in following the narrow and less travelled path of Christ will be protected and exalted
Revelation 3:7-13 Those who persevere in following the narrow and less travelled path of Christ will be protected and exalted
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:
‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; 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 out of heaven from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Background
The church in Philadelphia was small and insignificant when compared to their mainstream compatriots. However, they were commended by Christ because they have persevered in following the narrow path of Christ. But as for the religious mainstream, Christ had only harsh words for them. Although they were bigger and well organised, faith had been perverted through institutionalisation. Christ encouraged the Philadelphian community to persevere by rejecting the culture and values of the religious mainstream. For in due time, the Philadelphian church will rule over them. Christ assured the Philadelphian church that they will be kept from the tribulations to come and rule with Him in God’s kingdom. Today’s devotion reminds us that those who persevere in following the narrow and less travelled path of Christ will be protected and exalted.
Observation
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:
The “key of David” signifies the highest authority in the universe. “Who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens” describes the authority of the One who possesses the key. Indeed, Christ is the possessor of the key of David and He holds absolute authority over all things.
‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
Christ knows full well the conduct of the Philadelphian church and He will open a door for them. By opening a door for them, Christ mandates the Philadelphian church to rule with Him. In Isaiah 45:1, God opens doors for Cyrus to avenge God’s wrath on the nations.
Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed, whom I have taken by the right hand, to subdue nations before him and to loose the loins of kings; To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut: “I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. “I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden wealth of secret places, so that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. – Isaiah 45:1-3
Christ opens a door for the Philadelphian church to rule with Him despite them being small. For Christ sees their faithfulness by refusing to be part of the prevalent culture of that time. Indeed, it is difficult to hold on to what is right when one is small.
Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie — I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.
The synagogue of Satan consists of those who call themselves believers. They put on a holy appearance but are nothing like Christ. History shows that the righteous are often small, despised and afflicted by others. However, Christ promised the Philadelphian community that they will be exalted above all. The prophet Isaiah said concerning the destiny of the righteous,
“For the nation and the kingdom which will not serve you will perish, and the nations will be utterly ruined. “The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, and all those who despised you will bow themselves at the soles of your feet; and they will call you the city of the LORD, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” – Isaiah 60:12, 14
Indeed, Christ will exalt the righteous at heart (I have loved you) regardless of their race, heritage and religious affiliation. And they will dwell in the courts of God and rule with Christ forever.
Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
Because the Philadelphian church has persevered in following Christ’s footsteps, Christ will protect them from the “hour of testing”. Testing is for the purpose of discovering the nature of a person by subjecting him to extensive examination. Therefore, only the ungodly need to be tested repeatedly until they turn from their darkness. Such testing refers to the trials that precede Christ’s return. And they will come upon the whole earth to test those who dwell on the earth; the wicked. That said, this promise made here pertains only to those likened to the Philadelphian community, not to Christians in general.
I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; 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 out of heaven from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
In saying, “I am coming quickly”, Christ speaks with a sense of certainty. It has since been more than 2000 years after He spoke, why is Christ’s return not happened? It is because Christ is speaking from His vantage point as Lord over time and space. There, He holds in his hand the entire history of the universe like a book. As He thumbs through the pages, He sees every event in the pages unfolding simultaneously. In other words, while He is speaking to the Philadelphian church, “I am coming quickly”, He is also seeing His return at the same time. Hence, the Apostle Peter says, “With the Lord the one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8b). Indeed, from Christ’s vantage point, the future of the righteous has been predestined and is as real and certain as the present.
Therefore, having been assured of a blessed future, the Philadelphian community should hold fast to the promises. They must not be influenced by the prevalent culture or distracted by the cares of life, but to accomplish their mission and obtain the crown. And Christ will make them co-heirs and rulers in God’s house (a pillar in the temple). Just as Jesus left His place in God’s house and returned as the exalted King, never to leave again; likewise, they will not leave their place in God’s house but will rule with Christ forever.
Christ will write on him who overcomes the “name of My God”; the highest authority in the universe. And the name “New Jerusalem” is that supreme dimension where God dwells. In Colossians 1:16, Paul spoke about the worlds that Christ created, many of which are in realms that are invisible. There are thrones, dominions, rulers and authorities governing these worlds. Indeed, those who are victorious will be given a new identity (My new name) and they will rule with the highest authority (name of My God) at the highest realm (the New Jerusalem).
Truth
Those who persevere in following the narrow and less travelled path of Christ will be protected and exalted
The Philadelphian community chose to take the narrow and radical path of Christ (you have kept My word, and have not denied My name). They were considered a minority with little resources while surrounded by people of the religious mainstream (you have a little power). Jesus was also considered a minority because His attitudes and motivations contradicted the religious institutions of that time. These institutions appeared to agree with scripture, but their hearts disdained the truth it espouses. Hence, they persecuted Jesus to stop Him from exposing their hypocrisy. The troubles of the Philadelphian community were not too different from that of Jesus’s. Nevertheless, Christ promised the Philadelphian community that they would be protected from tribulations and exalted when He returns.
Therefore, Christendom today must be vigilant lest we commit the same mistakes as the religious mainstream during the time of the Philadelphian church.
Believers must not pursue blessing or glory, but the virtue of love
Blessing and glory are but by-products of the virtue of love. The crown is synonymous with eternal life; a life of blessing and glory in God’s kingdom. The Jew’s pursuit of eternal life stems not out of love, but out of self-centred desires. Because they are unwilling to take the humble path that Jesus walked, they missed out on eternal life. Jesus said to the Jews,
“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” – John 5:39-40.
Love involves sacrifice. Jesus counselled the rich young man who sought eternal life, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” (Matthew 19:21). Sadly, there are many in the church today who desire the blessing and glory of eternal life but are unwilling to walk in Jesus’s footsteps.
Believers must not seek knowledge or achievement, but to know God’s mind and do His will
Jesus studied the scriptures with the primary purpose of knowing the Father’s heart and mind. He is unlike the religious teachers who used scriptures to justify themselves. That said, Jesus rarely quoted scripture when He taught. Instead, He used illustrations that common people could understand. So much so, the religious community deemed Him as unknowledgeable, a son of a mere carpenter. However, whenever Jesus taught, lives were transformed, sick people were healed and demons cast out. Throughout His ministry, He did not seek achievement by making Himself known, but to do God’s will. Yet, despite all that He did, He was condemned and executed as a criminal. In the eyes of the world, Jesus was an under achiever, a total failure. But God counted Him perfect and exalted Him to the highest station in the universe.
Many study the scripture diligently, but will not commune with God to know His heart. Many suppose by casting out demons and prophesying in His name, they are serving God. But they display little mercy, righteousness, and humility in their private lives.
Jesus does not judge each person according to his religious affiliation but according to his heart
Jesus commended the centurion the “non-believer” saying, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel. I say to you that many will come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” – Matthew 8:10-12. When Jesus returns, He will judge the secrets of every heart regardless of one’s religious background (Romans 2:9-11). Indeed, many non-believers (like the centurion), when they come to believe in Jesus will very quickly overtake many “seasoned” believers. They will demonstrate faith that will astound even the longest serving member of the church. Indeed, such will be protected from end day tribulations and exalted when Christ returns.
Application
How do believers hold fast to the promises and overcome the influence of the world?
Believers can practice visualisation led by the Spirit of Christ. Through visualisation, your Christ-Self will bring to mind four segments of your life that will soon come to pass. The first segment, is fellowship with your present and future disciples and mentors. Your Christ-Self will remind you of the fellowship of love and words spoken. The second segment concerns your growth in divine love, wisdom and power; how you acquire greater capabilities to solve complex problems. The third segment concerns your divine calling and mission. The Christ-Self will reveal in greater clarity your life mission and its fulfilment. The last segment concerns the day of the resurrection when Christ presents to you the crown of life. Practice visualising the four segments daily. And you will grow to make disciples and fulfil your mission.
Dear Lord, I seek to know your heart and mind so that I may do your will. I do not seek blessing and glory but the virtue of love and compassion. Reveal to me my future as you have revealed to Apostle John. I, the Christ-Self will now bring to mind the four segments of my life that will soon come to pass.