Post Christian Church Age VIII

Today as I write this it is beautiful outside and a blessed day to live in East Tennessee.  God’s glory is all around us and he is manifested in the fall colors with the cloudless sky and sunshine on English mountain.  I am excited about today’s post because it is breath of fresh air from some of the topics I have covered so far.  This section of scripture is just another reminder that not all is lost in the mission of the Church and Christianity.  Too many times I see Church members who are so hurt or tired of the conflicts and they just want to give up.  Be encouraged by the reading of God’s word.  Every trial that we have in our life is to display the glory of God.  You know Paul said that if there had not been law he would not have known what sin was in Romans 7.  The same can be said about our trials.  If we didn’t have them then we wouldn’t have known how God worked in our lives.  You know I think sometimes that I wish I could have made different choices when I was younger and then my life would be better some how.  However the friends, family, and Church family that I have are results of God’s plan not mine, and I am so glad he is in control and not me because I wouldn’t trade them for anything.

Now let’s look at the scripture in regards to the sixth of the seven Churches.

1.    The Church at Philadelphia

Revelation 3:8 says, "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."

The Church at Philadelphia is a Church on fire for God.  Most commentaries call it the Church in revival.  I guess I can agree with that however revival is a snapshot of time.  It means to revive from a dead state.  That is what The Church at Sardis needed to be revived.  All born again believers will experience revival in their Christian life.  We have ups and down and sometimes we get sidetracked and fell to serve Christ the way we should and his love brings us back into the fold.  This begins a revival in us and we get back on track.

Philadelphia is not a perfect Church but they are a great Church.  I want us to look at one particular statement our Lord makes in regards to this Church.  “I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.” (Rev 3:8)  Paul refers to a door being open in I Corinthians 16:9, II Corinthians 2:12, and Colossians 4:3 as an opportunity of service for the Lord.  We also see in the closing of this subject in verse 19 that Christ says he “stands at the door and knocks”.  I believe that what we see here in scripture is the Lord is saying to Philadelphia that because of their consistent loyalty and work to build the Kingdom of God he has opened a door of communion with them so that they will have insight in regards to the will of God as well have discernment when handling the enemy.  You will notice in verse 9 there were some who were coming against them and Christ called them the synagogue of Satan.  This meant they were Jews who denied the messianic nature and deity of Christ and were working to destroy the Church in its early stages.

We all need an open door in our relationship with Christ.  I have met some Church members that resemble the Church at Philadelphia.  They were the kind of people that cared for souls.  They pray for the lost and the broken and they constantly seek God’s will in prayer.  Here is the thing we need to understand and that is God has offered us an open door of communion.  We can have insight to God’s desire for our lives.  We can have closeness with him to encourage us in the darkest hours and to encourage those who need us in their time of trouble.  What we have to avoid is having so much clutter that we can’t get to the door.   

God loves you and he loves me.  I have met so many people that never could grasp that.  How much does he love me?  He decided he would take his sons life for my wretched soul.  Think about that!  God took his sons life to give life to millions upon millions of people who don’t even consider him.  If he would do that do you not think he wants to have an open door relationship with you so that you will know what he wants from you and know how much he cares?  The Church at Philadelphia got it and they resemble the believer who knows their Savior!

May God bless you and keep you!

Jesus Saves,

RR