Weekend Sermon--Revelation

     Welcome to another edition of the Weekend Sermon.  It is good to be back to post another sermon this week.  I hope that everyone is doing well.
     Please continue to pray for me as I am having a difficult time.  This last month was the hardest month I have experienced in my life except for when my parents and Toby passed away.   I've interviewed for many jobs, and I have found nothing.  It's come to the point that I may have to start living in my car.  Please pray that God will provide a miracle.  I will keep posting book reviews and sermons as long as I am able. 
     On October 1, a devotional piece that I wrote will appear in the Upper Room.  I believe that it will be online as well for anyone who wants to check it out. 
     Last week we studied Jesus' message to the church at Sardis.  Jesus described Sardis as a dead church.  They were not doing anything for the Lord.  Jesus told them to repent.  Even in Sardis, there were a few people who were still faithfully following the teachings and the commandments of Jesus. 
    We focused a little bit last week as well on the doctrine of eternal security as it related to Jesus' statement about someone being blotted out of the Book of Life.  In my opinion, based on my study of Scripture, I believe that it is possible for someone to make a conscious decision to leave the Christian faith and go back to their former way of life.
     Today, our focus turns to Jesus' message to the church at Philadelphia.  This church receives the most positive message from the Lord of all of the seven churches of Asia addressed in the book of Revelation.
     In chapter 3 verse 7 Jesus states, "These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens."  This is a powerful verse.  Jesus is holy.  He is perfect in every way.  Jesus was tempted in all manners as we are, yet He did not sin.  He is the Lamb of God without spot or blemish.  Jesus is true.  Jesus said that He was the way, the truth and the life.  Jesus has the key of David.  I think that this is a reference to the fact that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's covenant with David that a descendent of David would reign forever on the throne of Israel.  Jesus is the son of David.  When He returns to the earth to establish His kingdom that will have no end, Jesus will rule and reign in righteousness over all of the people on the earth from the New Jerusalem.   Jesus is the only path to eternal life.  No one comes to the Father except through Jesus.  All judgment has been given to the Son by the Father.  Jesus, who knows what is in the heart of every person, will make the final judgment of who will and who will not enter into His eternal kingdom.
     In verse 8, Jesus says that He knows the work of the people in the church at Philadelphia.  They have a little strength.  They have kept His word, and they have not denied Jesus' name.
     I find the phrase about having a little strength interesting.  Maybe the people had suffered a great deal of persecution and hard times, but they still had some strength left to go on and do all that they could for the Lord.
     Right now, I feel like I have a little strength.  Without the little strength that I have from Jesus, I would be out of strength right now.  I've said this before, but I really mean it.  I don't know how people survive day to day without a relationship with Jesus.  With all that has happened in the last few years, I know that I would have been dead if not for Jesus.  Even in the hard times that I am facing now, I know that Jesus is with me.  I have to admit that I do not understand why all of these bad things are happening to me.  In some ways, I feel just like Job.  He couldn't figure out what was going on either.  In spite of all the bad, I can feel the love of Jesus.  I believe that He will show me what to do.  Whatever happens, I know that I will be with Jesus for all of eternity some day.  Then, all of the strife of this life will seem like nothing when compared with the glories of being with Jesus for all of eternity.
     The people in the church also kept the word.  They were obedient to those things revealed to them in Scripture.  In spite of persecution, they did not deny that they were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
     Verse 9 is an interesting verse.  Apparently, those in the Philadelphia church were being persecuted by those in the local Jewish synagogue.  Jesus said that those persecuting His church would come to know that He loved the church.  I believe that this will happen when Jesus returns.  When Jesus returns, He will judge everyone who has ever lived.  He will bring justice to every injustice.  All will be made right and good.  At that time, those who were persecuted will be vindicated by the Lord.  Those who did good but were looked down upon by others will be exalted.  As Jesus said, "the first will be last, and the last will be first."
     Verse 10 is interpreted in several different ways.  Jesus says that He will keep them from the hour of trial coming upon the whole world.  Those who believe in a rapture and a Second Coming believe that Jesus is referring here to the rapture of the church.  Jesus will return and take His church out of the world before the beginning of the Great Tribulation that is to last seven years. 
     I think that what Jesus is referring to here is the great time of persecution coming to those who believe in Jesus.  The book of Revelation was written to actual churches.  The message wouldn't have much relevance to the church at that time if the event wasn't close at end.  The Roman Empire tried to crush the church.  Many died for the faith.  I believe that Jesus is saying that members of the Philadelphia church would not face this great persecution.
     Jesus goes on to encourage the people to hold fast knowing that He is coming quickly.  As believers, we are to be watchful.  We are to be ready to meet the Lord should He come back this very day.
     Those remaining as Jesus' faithful followers will be pillars in the temple of God in the New Jerusalem.  This signifies that those who follow the Lord will be with Him and have fellowship with Him.  I believe that the level of our faithfulness to the Lord upon earth will correspond to the level of intimacy we have with the Lord in the world to come.  There are levels of reward in the world to come.  Those who follow the Lord with all that they have will be rewarded abundantly for their faithful service.
     To be a part of the kingdom of God, you must place your faith and trust in the finished work of Jesus on the cross.  You must believe that you are a sinner in need of a Savior.  Ask Jesus to forgive you of your sin.  Believe that Jesus rose from the dead.  Ask Jesus to be the Lord and Master of your life today.
      Next week, Lord willing, we will look at Jesus' message to the church at Laodicea.  On Wednesday, I will post another review.  Last week, I got my days mixed up and posted the review on Tuesday.  I will try to be more accurate this week.  May God bless you.  Amen.