Friday, March 19, 2021

Revelation Chapter 3 (R03b)

       Church of Philadelphia

Rev 3:7  "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":
    King David was a weak and sinful man in his youth. He became a righteous and holy king in his latter years by his longing to seek after God's heart as glimpsed from his writings in Psalms.
     The key of David will likely be the opening of the door into the knowledge of God.

Rev 3:8  "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."
    Despite being frail, this church is obedient and is bold in proclaiming the name of God. In return, God gave this weak church free access into the knowledge of our Lord Jesus for the purpose of strengthening and empowering them.
2 Pet 1:5-8  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rev 3:9  Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
    The Jews in the OT were once God's chosen people, but they have lost the title after the death of Jesus. Any gathering in a Jewish synagogue angers God because He has renounced the place as a synagogue of Satan. 
    During WW3, those from the synagogue of Satan will witness God's provision and protection on His believers. Following the great manifestation of God's love, the Jews will repent and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is their Messiah.

Rev 3:10-11  Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown."
    This church had faithfully kept the commandments of Jesus, had persevered through temptations, deceptions, heresies and persecutions from worldly brethren. 
    In return, God will count him worthy to escape the coming great tribulations and will also reward him the kingship in heaven.  In these last days, godly Christians too will have much to persevere in order to be counted worthy by God.
Luke 21:34-36  "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man." 

Rev 3:12-13  "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 I will Write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
   Victorious churches will be appointed as priesthood (pillar in the temple) in the kingdom of God (New Jerusalem). The Name of God is JESUS, the name above all names.
Phi 2:9-10  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
Beware - God ensured that the New Testament was written in Greek (not in Hebrew) for all mankind, and the name 'JESUS' as the Saviour of the world. So let's worship JESUS in spirit and truth, the name above all names.