| The Spirit is saying... | ||||||||||||||
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And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is
holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts;
and shuts, and no man opens; I know your works: behold, I have set before you an
open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my
word, and have not denied my name.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and
are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet,
and to know that I have loved you.
Because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour
of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the
earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which you have, that no man take your
crown.
— Revelation 3:7-13
WE need to be hearing
what the Spirit is
saying to us today
just as much as the
first century believers. Who are these people?The church at Philidelphia was a small group of people living in the midst of a powerful and prosperous community where both paganism and warped views of Christianity were spreading.The church was not great in number and was poor. It did not have a lot of power. When they spoke was anyone listening? No doubt at times they felt insecure, and threatened. It seems also they had become the object of accusations and attacks from so-called Jews, who were not the true people of God, but had been circumcised in the flesh only, not in the heart. It was tough going, surrounded by paganism, and churches that had forsaken their first love, those who thought they were rich and powerful but in Christ’s estimation were pathetic and poor, and others who were associating with false teachers. The remnant in Philadelphia must have felt impotent and helpless, swimming against the tide. This church is saying, “Lord, we’ve tried to do the right thing, we’ve been faithful to you, but can’t you see it all seems to be getting worse? We’ve been trying to stand for you in the midst of this paganism, in the midst of an environment which is hostile to us; we have separated ourselves from those who are carnally minded and compromising their faith, but can’t you see, Lord, we’re so weary? We’re tired of standing. We’re tired of fighting.” Does that sound somewhat familiar to our own situation? And of course like the Philadelphia church, we can only see more trouble and difficulties looming. Perhaps we are even questioning whether we will be able to make it when the big trouble comes. I sometimes ask myself, “Do I really love Jesus enough to be willing to lay down my life?” But in this passage of Scripture our dear Lord commends them. At the time when they thought nobody was listening or cared, Jesus was watching, looking with eyes and a heart of tender compassion. He’s intimately involved. Praise God, His ways aren’t ours or our thoughts His. He says, “You have kept My Word, you have not denied my name.” They may be few and insignificant in man’s estimation, but Jesus knows them. It’s like we read in Isaiah 49:16: “I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” The Lord is reminding them that ‘His power is made perfect in weakness.’ The Philadelphia church is surely a perfect example of the Lord using the weak things of the world to shame the strong. What ultimately matters is not power before men but faithfulness before God. It is the gospel that will triumph. Jesus is reminding them who He is. Have we forgotten who Jesus is? He is the mighty God, our stronghold, a fortress, and our strong deliverer. The Apostle Paul says He is “all in all.” We notice how Jesus loved them. How they loved Him and His Word. They didn’t compromise God’s Word. They were not ashamed to bear witness to the name of Jesus Christ in the midst of a negative, hostile environment. Jesus said, “I know your deeds and that you have little power, yet you have kept My word and not denied My name.” What a comfort to all true followers of Jesus that He knows those who are seeking to faithfully keep His Word. Jesus is saying, ‘I know my sheep.’ I know everyone of My flock in all parts of the universe, even a small, seemingly insignificant church in Philadelphia, who are seeking to be holy and true. Perhaps in your situation, you are feeling alone, misunderstood, spiritually bruised and battered, emotionally wounded, and at times even being tempted to give up or give in. Is Jesus concerned? Of course He is! What is the Spirit of the Lord saying to you right now? “I know your deeds.” What is your response? This was the Apostle Paul’s response — 2 Corinthians 12:10 — “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Yes, it is possible that you may feel knocked down, but you’re not knocked out, and the Lord knows all about you and your situation. My passion is to see the bruised reed restored. To stand with those who have been hurt by manipulative and ego driven pastors, to fellowship with leaders who have had to leave churches or denominations because of error, compromise and madness. It’s my belief that healing and release is coming to the broken hearted. I want to see folk returning to the cross and once again to experience the wonderful resurrection hope and power of the glorious gospel. How I long to see a network established where the remnant is linked in fellowship, encouraging one another and being that place of refuge for others. We need to be devoted to fellowship arising out of our devotion to Christ. It is not good to be alone. In Revelation 3 verse 7, the Christian community in Philadelphia were to walk through the door that Christ had opened — one reason I believe was that they must preach the gospel. They were to continue to remain the faithful lampstand that held up the Light of the world, and also to participate in the good works that God had prepared beforehand for them to walk in. As long as Jesus opens the door and keeps it open, no one can shut it. For all the paganism rampant in the first century and their own feeling of being beaten down, battered, hopeless and despairing, possibly overwhelmed by adversity, the Lord had a purpose on earth for them. There were still opportunities to shine for Him. Doors of opportunity were still opening. We may question, “Who are we in the midst of such circumstances that we find in society and the professing church today?” We see the one-world order global society developing so quickly, where the global satanic oppression is increasingly becoming a reality as people lose their personal, political, religious and economic freedom. Then there’s much of Christian leadership wanting to travel the interfaith route that inevitably will pave the way for antichrist who is the world messiah, the god of this world. Who are we when we see the Christian church becoming more and more market driven than Christ led, having lost confidence in the cross, the gospel and more concerned about entertaining the goats rather than feeding the sheep? In order to become successful, we are told by the church growth experts to go easy on truth and concentrate on the things the consumer desires, such as self-fulfilment, entertainment and prosperity. Weak Christians are being seduced and hooked on so much dross being portrayed on so called Christian Television. If we dare go into a Christian bookshop we find the majority of the material pandering to self, to feeling good and how Jesus wants us happy, healthy and prosperous today. There are so many books and videos focusing on the spectacular such as ‘The Transformations’ series whether the claims made are established fact or not. We find shelves full of books and videos on how to obtain the latest ‘must have’ anointing which is available from God’s especially chosen to dispense at a cost. And not forgetting the revival which is going to Christianise our communities and societies so that everyone accepts Christ Jesus as Lord — and then the King comes! You find believers will normally use discernment when in secular bookshops. They know to stay away from the stuff which harms such as the occult and new-age sections — but I’m afraid the renewed mind seems to engage reverse gear when let loose in most Christian bookshops. So who are we when seemingly the battle is being lost? But Jesus is saying to us, ‘Look at My power. Your sufficiency is in me. My wisdom is available. I am the One who opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens. Turn your eyes upon ME. You only have a little power but I have opened a door for you and no one can shut it.’ We must understand that our destiny is not determined by what’s behind us or around us. It’s what God has planned for us and has brought to birth within us. If a door has shut, has someone other than the Lord shut it? Have we shut it because of intimidation? It is time to rise up. Do you believe the Lord Almighty can open the door and turn things around for you? We must not give the devil satisfaction. We can boldly proclaim the foolishness of the Cross and walk through the door of God’s opportunity into a new experience. Our calling is to be ambassadors of Christ. Jesus is speaking of a door of unprecedented opportunity. The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:12 writes, “When I went to Troas to preach the good news about Christ, I found the Lord had already opened the door, he had already prepared the way.” I believe Jesus is saying, ‘Look, I have opened the door for you. What will you do with it?’ We need to remind ourselves of this truth, the Lord enables us to do whatever He’s called us to do. He delights in showing forth his mighty power through weak vessels of clay. And as we read in verses 10 and 11 of Revelation chapter three, we need to endure patiently. Patient endurance is endurance that is marked by peace and balance under pressure. “Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” —Colossians 3:12 ”That you are not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” — Hebrews 6:12 This life is not to be one of comfort but one of conflict. The hostility to the believer will intensify. But the promise to those that endure patiently is that they will be kept and protected when the hour of trial comes upon the earth. ‘The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgement.’ Jesus’ prayer to His Father in John 17:15 is not that He takes us out of the world but that He protects us from the evil one. Despite the faithfulness of the church in Philadelphia,
But He did promise they would be rewarded with that which escapes them in this present life — a crown! We are to hold fast during the tough times, stand firm against false teaching, remain apart from lying signs and wonders, and be faithful through persecution. We must hold on so that God can complete His work in us. “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” May our testimony be that of the Apostle Paul, written just days before his execution: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but also to all them that love His appearing.” — 1 Timothy 4:7-8 Can we not hear the Lord Jesus telling us, ‘Hang in with me to the end of the race! Hold on, I know life is difficult, I know the pain and struggle you suffer because you decided to follow me! I know the sacrifice you made by coming out from the apostasy?’ “But I know your deeds ... you have kept my word and you have not denied my name.” — Revelation 3:8 ‘Just keep pace with me, go through that door of opportunity, keep your eyes fixed on me, for the race will soon be over, and then your crown awaits.’ “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away!” — 1 Peter 5:4 And as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9: 25 — a crown that will last forever — an imperishable crown! “Blessed is the man who endures temptation, for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” — James 1:12 Jim Cottington [ TOP ] ... [ BACK ] Appeared in Issue CETF 9.1 September 2003 |
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