Jesus writes the most wonderful letter of sure hope for this church. “I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut”, and “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world” (Revelation 3:8, 10) What glorious truths from the Master for His Church!
Jesus outlines in the letter all that the Church is facing and enduring, and in turn receiving the promise of a rescue from the ‘wrath’ that is coming to try the earth. Jesus is coming and rescuing His beloved bride – His Church!
The Bride of Christ like Philadelphia are able to endure suffering and persecution because they recognise the ‘Pearl’ of great value in Jesus! In comparison to Jesus, all things of any worth or value on earth have little or no value and it is wholly living for Jesus that matters. Being a follower of Jesus will bring mockers and slander, but Jesus see’s it and says in this letter – “I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.” Jesus gives so many promises to His true church that encourages us all to continue with joy.
In our time spent here on earth, by His Holy Spirit we are being formed and ‘chiseled’ into ‘living stones’ for His Spiritual temple. Like a raw block of stone being cut from a quarry, it goes through a process of cutting, shaping and polishing before being placed into a building. We too, have been extracted from the earth as dust, and before being placed into God’s heavenly temple we are going through a process. Jesus promises (yet another!) in verse 12 of chapter 3, “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God.” Wow – a Pillar, a Column, a most important strong member of God’s Temple!
Let us hold onto the contents and requirements of this letter, to ensure by endurance our removal from the ‘wrath’ coming, by being a Bride, waiting for Christ our Lord and Saviour.
