Monday, September 17, 2007

The Church in Philadelphia

"To the messenger of the church in Philadelphia, write: 'The one who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens a door that no one can shut, and who shuts a door that no one can open, says this: 'I know your works. Look! I have put in front of you an open door that no one can shut. You have only a little strength, but you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who belong to the synagogue of Satan-those who claim to be Jews and aren't, but are lying-come and bow down at your feet. Then they will realize that I have loved you. Because you have kept my command to endure, I will keep you from the hour of testing that is coming to the whole world to test those living on the earth. I am coming soon! Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your victor's crown. I will make the one who conquers a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, and he will never go out of it again. I will write on him the name of my God, the name of the city of my God (the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God), and my own new name. 'Let the person who has an ear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.'
(Rev 3:7-13 ISV)

DESCRIPTION:
She isn't the strongest, but she strives to keep God's Word and confesses her faith, not denying the name of Jesus. She is obedient to His commands and knows the way and the truth. She continues to proclaim the truth even though everyone around her are telling lies and falsely accusing her of not telling the truth. Because of this, she will be protected from the hour of testing that is coming upon all who are living on the earth. King Jesus will raise her to a position of authority and those who troubled her will honor her.

OTHER EXAMPLES IN SCRIPTURE:
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1Co 1:27-29 ESV)

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2Co 12:9-10 ESV)

In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him like a peg in a secure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father's house. And they will hang on him the whole honor of his father's house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons. In that day, declares the LORD of hosts, the peg that was fastened in a secure place will give way, and it will be cut down and fall, and the load that was on it will be cut off, for the LORD has spoken." (Isa 22:20-25 ESV)

I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them." (Deu 30:19-20 ESV)

Those who were well-fed hire themselves out for a piece of bread, but those who were hungry hunger no more. Even the woman who was childless gives birth to seven children, but the mother of many children grieves all alone. "The LORD kills, and he gives life. He makes people go down to the grave, and he raises them up again. The LORD causes poverty and grants wealth. He humbles people; he also promotes them. He raises the poor from the dust. He lifts the needy from the trash heap in order to make them sit with nobles and even to make them inherit a glorious throne. "The pillars of the earth are the LORD'S. He has set the world on them." (1Sa 2:5-8 GW)

And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
(Mat 24:10-13 ESV)

Her destiny is to be a conquerer in the Kingdom, if she holds on to the position of royalty that King Jesus has given to her.

0 comments: