Today’s Reading:
Revelation 3:7-13
“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.” I know your work. 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. 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. 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. 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 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 to him My new name. ”He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (vv. 7-13 NKJV)
Philadelphia now Alasehir, is the gateway to the high central plateau of Asia and was founded by citizens of Pergamum. The name means ‘brother love’, which commemorated the love and loyalty of emperor Attalus II to his brother Eumenes II. It is a high commercial center. The citizens kept the barbarians from their region and brought the Greek culture and language. The city was destroyed in A. D. 17 by the earthquake and the aftershock kept most of the residents worried that they lived outside the city bounds. “He who has the key of David” (v.7). this represents Christ’s authority to open the doors of invitation into His future kingdom and once this door is opened no one can close it, hence salvation is secured. But once the door is closed, no one can open it and judgment is imminent.
“ … keep you from the hour of trial that …” (v. 10). Different interpretation was given to this. One, that genuine believers will be spared from the tribulation that will in the future befall the world. The other is that the Church will go through the period of tribulation, but that God will keep them strong to go through it. Yet others believe that this is talking about the great distress of tribulation in general that the church faces from generation to generation. Whichever it is, the most important thing is that believers should persevere, patiently hold on to, and obey the commands of God, no matter what they are facing. God has given every believer different gifts, different abilities, different experiences in life, and different levels of maturity because He does not want us to be the same or act the same way. But He expected each to hold on to what he has, and persevere in using his/her resources for Him. The Philadelphians are commended for their effort to persevere and to obey (v. 8, 11), and like the Philadelphians, we are encouraged to hold on tightly to whatever strength we have remaining. To new believers, who think that their faith and spiritual strength are dwindling, they are admonished to use whatever they have that is going down to live for Christ, and God will acclaim them.
The new Jerusalem is the future abode of all those who believe, hold on to what they have, and persevere to the end (v. 12; 21:2). They will be citizens of the new Jerusalem, God’s future kingdom where everything will be new, pure, and secure.
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
To surrender your life to Christ, say this prayer aloud: Father, thank you for Jesus Christ. Forgive my sins, take control of my heart, and lead me in your righteous path by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord. If you said the prayer, Congratulations! Prayerfully look for a living church and report to the resident reverend, pastor, or priest.
Prayer:
I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, And at the last He will take His stand upon the earth []Job 19:25 AMPV]
The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool.
Lord, thank you for redeeming me and for calling me by name. I surrender completely to You, in Jesus' name.
Father thank You, for wiping out my transgressions and for forgetting my sins completely, in Jesus' name.
Father, I wait for and hope patiently. expectantly for You, in my life because I know You will never leave me to sink, or put me to shame, in Jesus' name.
My Father, thank You for contending with my oppressors, the mighty, the terrible, and the tyrant, in Jesus' name.
Our Father, visit Christian homes with Your love and mercy, unite the husband, the wife, and the children to build a god-fearing family to the glory of Your name, in Jesus' name.
Unit the body of Christ with your love to harmoniously proclaim the Gospel of truth, in Jesus' name.
We commit the leaders of the church to Your care, Lord, grant them the fear of You in all their decisions, in Jesus' name.
… O Shepherd of Israel, You who leads Joseph like a flock, You who dwells amid cherubims, shine forth. Stir up Your strength and come and save the nations of the world, especially our nation Nigeria. Turn us again, and cause your face to shine, and we shall be saved, in Jesus' name. (Ps. 80:1).
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