Word for the Week...MARCH 27 --- APRIL 2 / 2006

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; these things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;(v.8) I know thy works, behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name, (v.9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.(v.10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the eartth. (v.11) Behold I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast , that no man take thy crown.(v.12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God., and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.(v.13) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."  

There is no word of rebuke here, as is the case with the letter to Smyrna, the persecuted Church. Philadelphia means ..'The city of Brotherly love'. If every Christian were to emulate this happy band of believers, what a Blessing that would be ! However, The Truth will always bring about opposition, especially from those, 'who know best'. The problem is , of course, they don't ! What joy there will be on that day when 'they' are openly shown their wilful error, by The King of kings...Jesus. This Church of Philadelphia is, as are all who overcome, going to partake in the Rapture, when Jesus Returns.(John 14:1-3 / 1 Thess.4:13-17 / 1 Cor. 15:51-52) Vigorous Missionary activity is always the hallmark of a sound Spirituality. The worldwide spread of the Gospel continues apace. Where does that leave the dead, complacent , decadent Churches full of traditionalism and ritualism ? Are they not a part of the 'Babylon', judged further on, in the book of Revelation??? There is no Revival without Resurrection !                   May The Lord Bless you.  

 

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