The Church At Philadelphia
Revelation 37. 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 openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 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 thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Holy & True
When someone holy speaks, you'd better listen.
Key of David
This refers to the throne - the rulership of God's people. David was the man after God's own heart. He was God's chosen king and all kings were compared to David. He was the measure of God's leader.
Jesus is the one to come in the lineage of David. He is the appointed and anointed leader prophesied of. He is the ultimate leader of God's people.
Open and Shut
We always relate this to earthly things - God giving us blessings that none can take away; God giving opportunities that none other can give. And these may be valid. But the door that Jesus opens and shuts and none other can tamper with is the door of salvation - the door of heaven - the door of access to God the Father.
Remember, "… no man comes to the Father but by me…"
His name is the key to prayer. He opens the ears of God to His people.
He is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. None other can do what He can do.
Ro 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Little strength, yet…
He says, "I know your weaknesses. I know your limitations. I know your insecurities. I know that you are no spiritual giant, BUT at least you're hanging in there."
I want you to know that God knows you. He knows exactly where you are and what you do. He knows you better than you know yourself, and He still loves you. That's hope!
Just keep hanging on. I don't mean to accept and be satisfied with a mediocre Christian life. No! Keep growing and pressing forward.
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Never let up on that pursuit. But, know that God loves you at every stage of your Christian growth. He accepts you where you are and moves you forward.
He will bring your spiritual enemies before you one day on their knees. The battle is the Lord's. Let Him fight for you.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
He has promised to keep you.
Hold on
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
No matter what happens - no matter how bad things might look - hold on!
Faith - remember faith is not some magical wand you wave to get your way, or to get all the things you want, or to make life easy all the time. Faith is the victory that keeps you hanging on even in the hard times. Faith is what sees you through to the end. Faith is the handle that you hold on to to keep your place with God.
Hold on!