In The Word
Read: Revelation 3:7-13
Message to Philadelphia
7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this:
8 ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; 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 out of heaven from My God, and My new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
There are many people and churches out there that only see the initial prospering of those who do not hold to the truths of God’s Word. If we are not careful, this could cause us to cave in, to compromise, because of our envy of those that look like they are living it up with no consequences. King David almost made this mistake until he went into the house of God to see his enemies’ end. The prodigal son’s brother was confused by how his faithfulness didn’t seem to yield as much as he would had hoped for at the time. Then his father explained that he was not only going to be taken care of but that he had also avoided so much pain in his life. The church of Philadelphia was faithful to keep and honor the name of Christ by living out openly the teachings of Christ. Their faithfulness at the moment didn’t seem to prosper them very well. What they couldn’t see was that their faithfulness was going to open a door that would fill their lives with the true riches and prosperity of life. Their faithfulness was not just going to pay good dividends, but it would keep them from the pain that was coming to the world.
We must be careful not to envy those that are seemingly supposed to be serving and honoring God but have compromised along the way. Remember, it’s your life you have to live and answer for, not theirs. Stay faithful and you’ll see your door of opportunity open and theirs shut. Stay faithful, and you’ll not have to go through the hour of testing and pain. Stay faithful, and your life will end up being full of the true riches and prosperity of life.