Revelation 3:7-13

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of 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.  “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  Behold, I will make those 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 will learn that I have loved you.  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.  I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.  The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he 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.’

There are times when we feel like things are out of control in our lives and especially in the world around us.  Life in a fallen world can be extremely difficult for those who follow Christ.  Temptation, persecution, oppression, criticism, and loss of relationships are all potential problems we will regularly face.  There are times when we may be tempted to question if God is really in control.  We can be assured that He is.  Christ’s promises to the church in Philadelphia make this reality clear.

OPPORTUNITY IN OPPRESSION: Jesus is the holy one who has the key of David.  He is the one who opens and closes doors in a definitive way that determines both the positive and negative outcomes.  The church in Philadelphia is facing oppression and is described as having only a little power.  However, the promise given to it is that they have an open door established by Jesus that nobody can shut.  Despite the oppression and weakness this church experienced, they had not given into the temptation to try to protect themselves by denying the name of Christ.  The instinct for self-preservation is always a strong one.  Our conviction to follow and obey Christ must be stronger.  Christ rewards the faithfulness of the powerless with opportunities to escape persecution as well as testify to the greatness of God.  Our weakness coupled with God’s provision will always be a formidable combination.

PROTECTION FROM PERSECUTION: The primary source of the persecution of the church was coming from the Jewish community.  Jesus refers to them as the synagogue of Satan.  Though they consider themselves to be God’s chosen people; they have turned from God, rejected Messiah, and were now persecuting the true followers of Christ.  They were doing Satan’s bidding.  Jesus promises that these proud self-righteous enemies of Christ will be humbled and eventually bow down before Christ and even recognize the authority of the church.  Jesus will spare His own from the tribulation of His judgment that is coming over the earth.  The Jews thought that church was a group of blasphemers who God had rejected.  Instead, they will be revealed as followers of Messiah who are deeply loved by Christ.  Living in the sinful world will always require perseverance and endurance but will always be met with the provision and protection of God.

REWARDS AT CHRIST’S RETURN: At the return of Christ, those who endure and keep the Word of God will be richly rewarded.  They are promised a crown, to be a permanent pilar in the temple of God, and to have the name of the Lord written on them.  These are clearly symbolic rewards that may be difficult for us to fully comprehend but would seem to indicate positions of authority within the everlasting kingdom of God.  Faithful believers will greatly enjoy worshiping God as we were created to do for eternity.  Our future is secure and we will be permanently identified as belonging to the Lord our God.  As difficult as things on earth might become, we have an eternal life that is secure because of the Lord Jesus Christ and His work on our behalf.

APPLICATION: We can rest in the control of the Lord over the circumstances of our lives.  When we feel powerless and like things are out of control, we have every assurance that the Lord will strengthen us and provide opportunities for faithfulness in these situations.  Stand firm in the truth of God’s Word and trust in the promises of God to protect and provide eternal rewards.