Friday 2 January 2015

The Church in Philadelphia

To the Church in Philadelphia

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  
I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  
Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
                                                                            Revelations 3:7-13
Here is a church everyone wishes they could be. Christ mentions that they are faithful that he, Jesus, has opened a door to heaven for them that no one can shut. That those who are of Satan will one day bow down to them.
He notes that they have endured patiently and that He will keep them from the trials that are to come.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we all could be described like this.
This is the Church that all Churches and every Christian should aspire to be. Faithful enduring any hardships that come our way never denying the name of Christ.
Challenge: Take a look at your life and the church you attend and ask yourself: If Christ were to come today would he see you as the church from Philadelphia?
If not what changes can you and your congregation make to become like the Philadelphian church.
Think about it.

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