Welcome to Hank’s Place
We are looking at the church of Philadelphia, found in Rev 3:3-13.
Today we find those of the synagogue of Satan bowing before the believers in Philadelphia. These religious Jews despised the Jewish Christians and considered them traitors and enemies of God. So Jesus in this city of brotherly love will show those Jews who His real brothers are.
In Zech 8:23, God indicates a day will come when others say, “let us go with you for we have heard that God is with you.” Meaning that Jews would finally be recognized as God’s people and be honored. But Jesus reverses that and says Jews will come and bow down to the church. Whoa!
How did the Jews find themselves on the wrong side of this prophecy? By rejecting Jesus. They had cut themselves off as a nation, effectively declaring they were no longer God’s people. Sigh.
Next, what about perseverance? The good news is that JESUS has persevered and overcome. We have nothing to prove. Notice it says ‘the word of His perseverance.’ Keep on believing what Jesus has done for you.
Some translations twist Jesus grace-filled words into a spiritual test. Saying YOU have to persevere and endure (that it’s about YOUR perservance and YOUR endurance) in order to be saved. But read it – it is His perseverance! If YOU start trying to persevere and endure you soon are looking a laws to keep – you become a legalist – and will fail. So, why not keep the word of His perseverance, like the Philadelphians?
Now, the hour of testing coming upon the whole world? It’s judgment day. It means a day of shaking. To the Philadelphians this brings back anxious memories of earthquakes and houses falling down. So Jesus’ words are a great encouragement to them. And for us, too, for we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Heb 12:28. The hour of testing, shaking, when Jesus returns is for the world – not the Church.
Then Jesus tells them to hold fast. Amazing – Thyatira, the worst church of the bunch, and Philadelphia, the best church, are both told to hold fast. Holding fast to Jesus is always EVERYONE’S answer.
In closing, what about losing a crown? That’s not your salvation, but likely means — P E O P L E. The Thessalonians were Paul’s crown and glory 1 Thes 2:19. My friend, don’t cave to the ungodliness parading around as correctness here in America. Keep helping others to enter into the Kingdom— yes, retain your crown as they — COME ALIVE!
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