The Faithful Church - Revelation 3:7-13

God won't even like the window in the Bible. Now, in honor of the one and only true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Let's join Wayne see Thomas for today's message greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My name is Brian Thomas, and I thank you for joining me today on the golfers podcast as I am being joined by my wife Denita and we are here to continue our series in the book of Revelation, and I know that I was set up is for you to ask you questions and I will answer but I want to begin by asking you a question. Are you glad that I am a faithful husband. Of course you know you stop and think about it for moment. What if I were to type a husband that every Friday night I went out to see another woman. And let's say that when I get off work, rather than call you a call another woman to make sure she has everything she wants everything she desires. Everything that she needs and then once I make sure that she's the hero. Then I call you. How would that make you feel very upset and you would be in a lot of trouble. So it deftly would not be a good marriage to say the least.

But the thing about it is that's the way a lot of people make our Lord feels that's how makes God feels because so many people put other things before God we we will say will you know. Check out the sports first and see what was happening with the games. Check my bank account check things with my job or even your spouse and will put those things first and then whatever time we have left over. They will say will give that to God and we imagine how that makes us feel from the standpoint of a marriage. So imagine how it meets God fuel and he's the one that sacrifice for us. He's the creator of all things, the supreme being. He died for us. He came to earth as a man, and he sacrifice we can have eternal life, but yet that is the treatment that a lot of people give him and so people are not faithful to him and a lot of people don't think of it in that way but but that is what it's sending the message to him is that they're not being faithful so we think about that though the church that were going to look at today is the opposite we going to look at a church that actually was a faithful church now. It's refreshing because we look at the preceding churches the preceding three in this series, we found that there was a church that was compromising there was a church that was corrupt. Then of the church that was then, so it was rather depressing, but this is a refreshing church and just to give a little background before we dive into the text. The church of Philadelphia, was somewhat of a throwback to the first two churches in the seven letters of the churches of Jesus Christ. Ephesus and Smyrna it was located in the center of Greek civilization was founded about 189 years before Christ actually had a great influence on the ancient world.

During that time it was a very prominent church city and it was very vital Philadelphia.

It remained an independent Christian city until the end of the 14th century when the Kirk's conquered it, so we found a church that was a faithful church.

Again, a church that had a lot of influence written to look deeper into it so I want to turn it over now to you. My wife Denita as the host. Take it away and read our main text with today.

Okay were coming from Revelation 3 verses seven through 13 and it reads into the angel of the church in Philadelphia write these things says he who is holy, he was true. He who has the key of David. He who opens and no one shuts his shuts and no one opens I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it for you. Have a little strength, have kept my word and have not denied my name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not lie.

Indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you, because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold I am coming quickly.

Hold fast to what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of my God, in the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God and I will write on him my new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Several brief word of prayer.

Heavenly father, we thank you Lord for this day. We thank you for this great word concerning this church. This faithful church is.

I pray Lord that something would be said that would penetrate our hearts and minds to be more faithful toward you and to be grateful for the great and wonderful things that you have done we had.

We pray that all things are spoken, that it becomes nothing but sound doctrine, and may you be honored and glorified in all things in the name of Jesus.

Amen, amen. So as we continue with a little bit more background on this church. Philadelphia means brotherly love, then we have a Philadelphia here in the United States of America is called the city of brotherly love and a lot of people don't know. That's biblical that goes right back to the Bible to this church here in Philadelphia represents when you look at the dispensation periods represents the church age that began around 1750 A.D. it will continue to the great tribulation.

The seven year tribulation that is still to come.

We found that Sardis came out of Thyatira so likewise Philadelphia came out of Sardis church in Philadelphia had a vitality of life. He was very much in contrast, we found last week. The did an cold church which was the Reformation church, a church that no one and no church a pattern itself, but this was a church that have vitality. It was a church that led a great missionary movement that began during this period.

A lot of people know about the faith missionary movement that came about. So there were factors in this movement, like the printing of the Bible and the common language and that was something that you so many people when it came to the gospel and then there was an increased interest in the second coming, doctrine, and of course here at our ministry. That is something that we stress the second coming of Christ as it is greatly ignored and so many walks of the faith and in churches people just ignore the second coming of Christ.

But around this time around 1800 A.D. the pre-millennial return of Christ.

That said, the doctor was reviving this little zeal for evangelism because there are people out there that will make the argument that if you believe that Christ is coming before the rapture.

They think that you just stop living in your sit around and wait for the return of Christ, but has the opposite effect gives you a zeal to evangelize to to tell the world crisis coming soon be ready.

He could come at any time, and so again it is definitely a great character, a characteristic fulfilling the great commission.

So going to turn it over to you now I'm in the hot seat so you can ask me any questions that you want okay so it sounds versus look back at Revelation 3 verse seven where it reads into the angel of the church in Philadelphia write 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 so who is the angel to the church in Philadelphia. Alright, so the angel to the church. Philadelphia is most scholars would say it is the pastor of the church. So what we have to keep in mind is. This letter was written for the specific churches. These were churches that literally existed there was a church in that area name Philadelphia along with the other six that existed in Asia minor, which is now present-day Turkey and so there what they had pastor just like we have passes today then there some that will say it is literally an angel, so it is somewhat debated. I tend to lean towards thinking that it was a pastor and so that shows the importance of passes to churches and we know they are important anyway but pastors have a major responsibility and duty, and we find this angel crisis sending a message to the church through this angel who could be a supernatural being, but also could be the pastor of the church. Okay.

And so we look at where he said it constantly says he who is he who is he who has so who is he in this in this text that is none other than Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior and of course they mentioned that is holy, can you speak more on the term holy yeah so Christ reminds the church of his holiness we find in first Peter chapter 1 verse 16 is written because it is written, be holy, for I am holy. Look at that word holy we think about being set apart. We think about the term Rev. and that is something that I've spoken about in the past because we know today that preachers receive the title of Rev. Often times in the denomination that we came through was when you become ordained your title would become reverent and the term reverent means one to be revered of the honorable and I've never like that term because of the fact that I'm a fallen sinner, you know, I need a Savior, and the view Savior just like everyone else.

Without him I will be hated to eternal damnation. And so I don't view myself as anything honorable. I only view God is honorable and we look in the Scriptures, the word reverent actually is is meaning it refers only to God when you look in the Scriptures so I say that to say United to get sidetracked. But when we look at holy means to be set apart, reverent, sacred and worthy of veneration and of course that is what is a characteristic of God and when we look at that it may signify that the church of Philadelphia was separated from the world and separated to holiness.

Some good points. So when it says that he is true, what is the meaning of this exactly yeah you know chuckle because we're in an era today in which facts and truths. This doesn't seem to matter to a lot of people but I will Lord is referred to as truth in several passages that we look at John 14 six. He says I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me. But how often do you hear today people taken exception to that is saying will we all have a God and in in their many paths to God and we all serve the same God and their many past but Jesus said no. The only way is through me and so that is the truth that is the truth of the Scripture and Christ. We look at them. He is true with perfection is true with completeness.

We as human beings again were falling. We have flaws. We make mistakes, you know I make mistakes everyday.

I get things wrong. But Jesus Christ is true Jesus Christ is perfect and there is no truth in the world outside of Jesus Christ and is just a message that so many in the world today as we are getting closer and closer to his return. So many people just reject that Dave feel like they can come up with their own truths and people often make decisions now based on feelings and emotions, but truth is truth and truth is found only in Jesus Christ as that's exactly right. And also where it mentions that he who has the key of David, and I found that interesting. Can you expand on yes is this referring to the authority of Jesus Christ.

We look back at first Kings chapter 2, verse 45 we find there throne of David shall be established before the Lord forever. So we know King David in the Old Testament and God made a promise.

He said that David would sit on the throne forever. And a lot of people say, well, the Bible is not true because David died a long time ago, but this is referring to the lineage.

We know that Jesus Christ came through the house of David that is why the Bible calls him the son of David, but we know that Jesus Christ was not literally in the sense that we look at things from from a human standpoint. He was not the son of David, but is referring to the Messiah, the messianic kingdom desk that's coming and it alludes to the fact that someday he is going to rule the earth, and that is why get excited because there are people that think that our eternity is going to be spent in heaven than it is true that when we die today as believers in Christ, we go to heaven but we're coming back those who have gone to heaven are coming to the earth. We Jesus Christ and were going to rule and reign with him on this earth. He's going to sit on the king of David, with all power, and with all authority and if you look around today.

The kings of the world there so many that are pompous and then there puffed up as if they have this power and authority, but is simply Jesus Christ he's given them that authority is given them leeway, but the day is coming, Revelation 15C is the ruler over the kings of the earth.

Jesus Christ rules all kings. He rules all things everyone will have to submit to his authority in his earthly kingdom In the next portion of this. It says that he who opens and no one shuts. I always think about doors. When I think open shut so what is it that he opens and shuts will Jesus Christ told the disciples before he ascended and went back to heaven he said go into the world and preach the good news. We look at Matthew 2818 and Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, all authority has been given to me in heaven and on the earth.

So what is referring to here in this passage is opportunities to preach the gospel and those opportunities are controlled by Jesus Christ and of Jesus Christ wants you to preach the gospel.

No one can close that door. And if we find her in this church movement that that the missionary movement flourished during that time is as Christ gave opportunities to go in and preach the gospel and this not only applies to a church, but it applies to individuals. What we find today is that there are people who will compromise to gain opportunities to preach and how many times have you heard of preacher say they can't speak against certain issues like abortion they won't talk about certain things because they are freed of man they are afraid of people that are not going to want them be afraid of people are going to tell them know you can no longer preach year and but Jesus says if he opens the door. No one can close it but when you look at that you say to yourself will they may have thought they were taken away an opportunity. But Jesus says if he opens the door he can't be close and so he just opened the door even water and gives you a bigger opportunity and a bigger platform and so I just want to encourage people today out there in ministry and is not just for formal ministers and and preachers that goes for everyone. If you feel like people are shutting you down and you're afraid to preach because you're afraid of what the response of the world is going to be. Jesus said if he opens a door. Nobody can close it and when he closes it. Nobody can open it when he close that no one can open it back up again and ask it is to know that he's man in the door right as I got so I noticed that for some of the churches in Revelation, a commendation was usually given and you know things like praise and for good works, and things like that. So what were the works that the Lord refers to in Revelation 3 verse eight right so he said here. I know your works. See, I have sit before you an open door.

So again this goes back to the doors of opportunity that are open for proclaiming the gospel and you know I love the fact that this here is talking about the gospel because often times in our secular society we think about opportunities and doors opening will think about things that are personally benefiting us like a an opportunity for career movement and financial gain is not to say that those things are bad, but we are here to serve Jesus Christ.

That is our purpose on this earth and is for the opportunities to to preach the gospel that should be the thing that gives us the most excited not moving up the corporate ladder and not gaining this or that and so he saying I know your works, and if we look at the main characteristics of of of faithful service during the church age. In first Corinthians 16 nine for a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries and these are the words of the apostle Paul. He says a door has opened to me. He says a great and effective door. Now how many in the world today though review opportunities to preach the gospel as great an effective a lot of people are looking at other things and so is so important for us as Christians to to understand the privilege that we have two preach the gospel of our Lord and I like when you talk about an open door. It offers encouragement to believers to win the Lord says no he's not open an ordinance can remain open and he's giving opportunity special. Those who experience persecution and in this also. To me, talks about the open door to the kingdom of God which is our ultimate reward right to look at it that way, exactly what is meant by the next portion where it says for you.

Have a little strength because some people might say little strength as an accommodation. But what is meant by you.

Have a little strength, the rise of this is in verse eight, and this action is referring to the minority status of the believers in Philadelphia, meaning that they were not in the majority in this church age was often characterized by small congregations.

We are to error that we see a lot of so-called mega churches receive thousands and thousands in and they consider that to be a great thing in this not to say that large churches are bad. I'm not here to say that all but note by human standards. They view the small congregations as weakness.

But we must remember that real strength comes from the Holy Spirit as the word says when I am weak, then I am strong. So Jesus is saying, and I know that you all are in the minority. I know that your small body, but your faithful.

He says therefore you have maybe few in number, but you still have strength and so in the next part.

It says have kept my word, so how did they go about doing this, how they keep his word.

So even though they were small in number, they were this little strength he refers to simply they will be God's word. They were true to his word and as we look at it you know this was a great contrast to what we looked at last week with the Reformation churches who believe God's word but they did not obey you, and that is why so important that my sable. I believe in the word of God or I believe in Jesus and I say well the doughboy.

His demons believe in Jesus.

The Bible says they tremble, they flee and they also believe God's word. They know what the word of God says but they've not accepted it and they do not obey you. And so that is why so important for us to keep his word as a faithful act of service. I would look back at when it talked about a little strength. I think this impacts the person as an individual to I'm some people may feel like well it's just me little old me. I have little strength, but you can have a major impact in your sphere of influence, and so I think that this also can help someone say okay well when we got the Lord Jesus will make me strong so you can make up a big impact.

You have to be part of a large congregation. You can actually make an impact as an individual by obeying Jesus and following whatever path he has for you and into that point, you know, people will even think well I'm not out front and not in the pool. Preaching and things but you can you can be a prayer warrior that nobody knows about. And there was this lady a little lady from back when Billy Graham was evangelizing and that lady she would pray she would get on the plane. The spot she would travel to wherever Billy Graham was preaching and she was just going get in the closet and and pray you're in the secret place and just pray for him. His protection and for his word to go forth and I believe that lady very well might receive more rewards in heaven than Billy Graham himself because she's faithfully praying behind the scene. So, again, to your point, people might think that will interest me. What can I do but prayer is powerful and they're just so many things God is making a way for everyone to be able to be a witness to his kingdom and prayer is one of the ultimate examples of showing your faith. The last in the last part of Revelation 3 verse eight it says, and have not denied my name. Can you speak to that. So Satan, of course, he always tries to counter an effective word of God, and we saw during this time period that were looking at today that the time. This church represents so the greatest increase in false Christ's and false religions in world history but yet it refused to deny our Lord and it just reminds us of Matthew chapter 10 verse 33 but whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my father who is in heaven.

That is something that he hits usually the heart and you need to think about it because their people today that will not take a stand for Jesus Christ, out of fear of being ostracized by society. Jesus is if you deny me before me.

I'm going to deny you before the father. So remember that you deny Jesus Christ. There is a consequence that is yet to come. Look at Revelation 3 verse nine. Indeed, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that who say they are Jews and are not, but live indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. What is the synagogue of Satan. This is a very interesting passage here but basically when we look at it.

Jesus also remember we look at the church at Smyrna. In Revelation 29. He also referenced the synagogue of Satan. So in short, it was a group of unbelieving Jews who were persecuting Christians.

So, meaning these were ethnic Jews, but yet they were persecuting those who accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Okay so can you explain more about those who say they are Jews and are not yet.

So there are those who say will we are descendents of Abraham and they say we will born through the lineage of the Jewish nation so ethnically they are Jews and they say will that automatically makes them people of God but they persecute those who accept Jesus Christ as the Messiah, which those are the true people of God who ever accept Jesus Christ or the true people of God, not those who are simply born as a Jew because of your Jewish. You also have to accept Christ as Messiah. If you want eternal life is so we have to make the distinction between an ethnic Jew and a faithful Jew and we see in Romans chapter 9 verse six it says, for they are not all Israel who are of Israel as a what that means.

There are people that would say will because I was born in the nation of Israel that makes me automatically of God. But Romans 228 through 29 declares one who is a Jew inwardly, not outwardly. What that means is it's a spiritual matter to be a true Jew, you have to accept Christ as the Messiah.

If not, you are not truly of God. Explain that we all think this part about worship before your feet. Can you explain yes so this is referring to the vindication so Christ promise that all false religions, imposters and false teachers who claim to be Jews, meaning you know they really are the house of the synagogue of Satan. And let me say to about the synagogue in case anyone is not familiar with that that is basically where they went to worship during the biblical days just like we go to a church building today.

We as the church. Of course the true church are human beings, but the place we go we call it a church, synagogue assembly, where they went to to worship, but here they are saying that those who claim to be Jews but were not, would someday be subdued before them so they been persecuting these people who are claiming that they are the Jews, that is, the ones who are the synagogue of Satan, the claimant near the true Jews. The true was of God, but there persecuting the ones who set the Messiah wallow to sand. The day is going to, they will fall down at their feet. Now what we must understand that this is not really meaning to worship the people, but it is meaning that there want to be subdued.

They're going to be humble and and recognize and realize that persecuting the faithful church that they have turned against God they going to realize and know this is not something that we should do in a similar to Isaiah 60 verse 14 where we find also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you and so we look at this verse. This was during the time period in which Gentiles were oppressing the Jewish nation. So God said that they were common ways. They are those who afflicted you would bow before you will now we see some some whatever of a reversal in which the Jews are going to bow before the church, which is primarily made up of Gentiles. And so we sort of see it reversal here, but I must stress this does not mean that all present. The Jews are of our of Satan because there is a lot of anti-Semitism and we of course have a ministry.

Blessings to Israel.

We are huge supporters and friends of God's chosen nation's God said in Genesis 12 322 bless the nation of Israel, and so was so important that we we pointed out that we are not seeing the Jews of Satan. What we are send out years. If you do not set Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Your you are not truly of God.

But we we find today, even with replacement theology that that's a satanic deception and people will even in the church would try to use script descriptors like these to say the promises to Israel have been transferred to the church. It is a deception is a lie.

The Jewish nation is a great nation is a special people called out by God and God still has plans for the Jewish people point. Thank you for clarifying that will, we are going to take a short break, but don't go away were going to come back continuing looking at the faithful church in the book of Revelation global way, you are tuned into the God first podcast listening to Brian.more crying as God nor around the library. There you will find articles available as downloads on various topics such as salvation and lesson is just to name a few. Also, sign up for our monthly newsletter and visit our web store back to God first. You are and we are looking today, continuing our series in the Revelation looking at the faithful church. Let's pick up where we left off with verse 10 of Revelation chapter 3 verse 10 says because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world to test those who dwell on the earth. So where it talks about and what with the church and how it says how you did persevere so mean. Read that again because you have kept my command to persevere, what is what.

What did the church do to persevere yet simply means the churches remain obedient to God's word, even in the midst of these false Christ's and false religions and and those who were of the synagogue of Satan persecuting them, they still remain obedient to his word okay and so with the hour of trial that stands out to me a lot.

What exactly is the hour of trial that shall come upon the world. Yes, so this is referring here to the seven year tribulation that is still get future were want to see it in Revelation chapter 6 through 18 were going to find that what the Bible is in here though is that this is a.

Preservation look at Matthew 24, 21 for then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be, and so the start of the tribulation is going to be marked by the Antichrist making a seven year covenant covenant with Israel but what we're finding here is that the Bible Jesus letting us know this time is not appointed to those who put us put their faith and trust in him. Can you talk a little bit more about the part where it says who dwell on the earth. Who is this exactly where that you're talking about here. Okay so when it when it's looking backs and verse 10. So, to test those who dwell on the earth.

All right, so I will Lord is going to keep those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ from the hour of trial, the church will be rapture before this time. Comes in this is that pre-tribulation rapture topic that people debate. Does the rapture happen before the tribulation in the middle or at the end were going to cover this more in in chapter 4 we get to it.

But verses like these are there so many make it clear to me that our Lord is saying we are not appointed to this time is going to come. We have a promise that we are going to be taken to heaven to be with our Lord during this hour trial and I want to say for those out there who rejected Jesus Christ our trial you will see you when we get there. It is going to be the worst time to the world has ever seen. You think things are bad today when we look at the pandemic that were going through. Currently we look at the looting and the rioting it is nothing compared to what the Bible says is going to come during the seven year tribulation.

So I encourage people give your heart to Jesus Christ, so that you can be protected from the hour of trial that is steel yet to come.

Yes, because the unbelieving world will feel God's wrath during that time.

So let's look at Revelation 3 verse 11 says behold I am coming quickly.

Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

So when he said, when the Lord says I am coming quickly, but it has, you know, I spent almost 2000 years since his ascension. So how do you reconcile that you and we think about things through the eyes of human terms but he promised that he's coming again, and noticed that the Council is made on the basis that the church of Philadelphia would be in existence at a second coming, the church age is now almost 300 years old and so but to your question quickly to simply means meeting soon. One of the things we have to remember because we are always looking at things through the eyes of mortal man and it amazes me how people try to rationalize an inmate reason I do things of God when we are his creation and there are things that we just don't know we don't understand the Bible says in second Peter 38 that with the Lord a day is like a thousand years.

So to us a thousand years is a long time but to God. That's one day and so when you look at it and that since Jesus Christ went away. It was about 2000 years ago that since he's only been gone two days that's not a long period of time. But when you also look at it when he's coming quickly means is going to happen instantly is going to happen fast like in the blink of an eye if you're not ready. If you're not prepared you will you will miss out okay and so when he talks about how we need the church will need to hold fast held fast to something so what does that mean what is he instructing the church to hold fast to continue what they have been doing faithfully until the end. So this church in Philadelphia. They have been faithful in the words they were staying committed to the faith obeying the word of God and as we look at the church of Philadelphia.

They were characterized by revival evangelism and missionary work, so he say hold to those things and we look at evangelism we look at missions look at Bible teaching.

These are three essentials for church growth and today people sort of look at like what we're doing.

We're doing in depth teaching of the Bible. There are some people that have no interest in that but if you really want a church to thrive and to grow you need to teach the Bible you know we don't go to church for performance. We don't go to be entertain. Go to learn about God and so churches with these type of characteristics we received today they are thriving as a lot of churches are falling away churches that are holding fast to these things are thriving.

And so as we look at like the church at Sardis in the church at Laodicea. Those type of churches typically lose more members than joint, but because of the fact they've not kept his word. But those who are faithful and do not deny his name those of the type of churches that we find thriving. You know the word tells us to feast on the entire word of God and need to think about Bible teaching that includes the entire Bible not just the parts that your audience to your congregation wants to hear to make them feel comfortable and feel better, or at any doesn't mean you know parts that you just don't want to deeply steady because some some parts of the Bible requires you to really meditate how hurt on them to get full understand and so we have to feast on the entire word of God is true and waiting when it comes the Bible prophecy. I just saw or heard about a survey that said that only 2% of churches surveyed said they talk about the second coming of Christ, meaning Bible prophecy eschatology and there's so many reasons for that, but one of the things I will say I do understand that it can be a complex topic, but people have to stop being lazy. I would not talk to a pastor who will remain nameless, but he was talking about Revelation he said you know man Revelation requires a whole lot of study and in my mind and thinking will study then and I did the passes have a lot of the place. I totally understand that, but God called us to preach all of the Bible to full Council and Bible prophecy makes up 1/3 of the Bible and if you skip that just ignored, you're not going to have a sound, healthy church is just not going to happen because you have to be teachers of the word, and not just hearers but just to be teachers of any of the following, you have to again, we don't go to church for a performance to be entertain. Pastors are the job is not to entertain people.

So, but we have a lot of that happening today is so true, and in this last part of this verse. It talks about a crown that no one may take your crown. So what is this crown and how can it be taken. This is one of things it gives me excited because the Bible tells us of various crowns that we can receive in this report is pointing to our eternal rewards. So, we can still have eternal life.

There are some people that I hate to say it but a lazy Christians. They accepted Christ of the Messiah you but that is pretty much where it starts and stops for them. They're not doing anything. As for the kingdom so they'll still get in the kingdom. But you can lose rewards for being lazy for not having works for not doing service and we must be clear that we are saved by grace okay faith and grace alone, but where words come into play is when it comes to our eternal well-being in the sense of rewards so he saying here that crowns that you can receive continue to be faithful so that no one can take your crown and I think that something up her people actually say. I just want to make any sort of make it in and out think that they maximize their gifts, that you know the Lord gives us spiritual gifts in his flooring surface is for him. As for his glory and we don't maximize those, then you're not being complete is almost like you you live in a somewhat empty life in a sense, as a Christian and it's a shame and and some may say well I'm not a good speaker I can get up in front of a crowd and then people say this and that but God is going to give out rewards based on what he's given to us and and how you you full fuel what he call you to do based on what is giving you. So again we're not here to just make it in you want. I want to get as many crowns and rewards as possible. I don't want to just make it. He and I want to be blamed.

I want to want to live it to the fullest. Okay, Revelation 3 verse 12 season overcomes I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of my God, in the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God and I will write on him my new name so the beginning of that talks about. I will make him a pillar. What is the pillar right so it's important that we understand this is a pillar not a pillow I sold this is referring to stability so we know the pillar is a pillar is something that holds up a structure column. And so our Lord is saying that he's going to make us a pillar in his kingdom and Christians are often rejected in this life, but when we are in eternity. We are going to be with the in crowd we going to have stability not going to have people mocking us in and doing all kinds of things he is going to make is one of the strong structures of his kingdom. Please not make us a pillar stable, not a pillow right off got us all. Let's look at where it talks about the name of my God, he's on around him the name of my God, what is that right, so true believers will be identified by AC. You'll which has the name of God giving them access to enter the new Jerusalem and will speak about that the new Jerusalem or we get to chapter 21 but when we think about the name of God. He's going to give us a special name and will talk a little bit more about the name of Jesus is going to to give us more comfort comes to eternity. So is it saying that Jesus is going to give us a new name like a completely religious brand-new name that new name tag.

And, yes, yes, where were going there so many things with that comes to eternity that are unknown to us, but believers of the church of Philadelphia will also have the new name of Christ written on them, and so we look at Revelation 20 verse four they shall see his face and his name shall be on therefore heads and this should be a reminder to us of things that are coming as far as there's going to be a mimicking of that that is a come. This will entitle us to be servants of Jesus Christ.

But during the seven-year tribulation. People talk about it all the time. 666, the mark of the beast during the tribulation. He is going to give a mark for all who accept him. And so he's trying to mimic Jesus Christ but his mark is going to cause you to be eternally damned as opposed to the name of Jesus Christ, that will be on our 40 is as opposed to the antichrist which is going to give a name on the 40 of 666 so we see how Satan throughout history. He's been trying to mimic our Lord and Savior. Okay so in the last first that were going to talk about Revelation 3 verse 13 says he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

What is meant by he who has an ear right so Christ repeats this throughout his message to the churches he saying to hear and receive. You have years pay attention. There a lot of times are you talking to someone. You see, the monks married couples and you see you talking to your children and they hear noise but they're not perceiving it so he said, hear it and receive it.

Pay attention.

Wake up in the so many in the church today that I look around at what Christ said would be indicators of his coming and people are like, asleep at the wheel. They see it, but then they don't see you and you try to show them and made they seem to be clueless and is like driving down the road and there is a herd of deer right out in front and you don't see it because I was a close so you need to open your eyes. You need to open your years here and receive what is that he saying as as any year talks about the spirit clarify for me cutlet like what or who is the spirit. See yeah this is referring to the Holy Spirit's so this was a great lesson in our message however you want to take it. So Brian can you wrap everything up for yes so I want to stress the importance of fulfilling the opportunities that God gives us as we see this church of Philadelphia is a faithful church. We are to not deny our Lord, just as they did not deny him.

We are to always stay true to God's word because one day your enemies will acknowledge you. I want to encourage people today you may be being mocked and criticized for your faithfulness to Christ you're standing up for righteousness when it comes to political issues when it comes to racial issues when it comes to marriage issues. Whatever it is you're standing up true and friends in the so-called friends and families that turned their backs on you your enemies and you and I hate to say family and friends and our enemies, but in some cases it is true you know people are turning their backs on their own family, but Jesus Christ is come in again. He will keep us from the trial that he is yet to come. And I just want to encourage people come get ready. He is coming soon and if you've backslid receive Jesus Christ, revive your relationship with him. You will maybe receive W backslid, you need to revive that relationship with him. And so I just want to say except in today for those who would never put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the time is near. Before close things out.

I want to thank you for leading us today and you have any final words for the listeners. I just reiterate what you say and the Lord wants your allegiance to him. So I encourage everyone to stay prayerful in your word because it is alive and is living in issuer nourishment be deeply rooted in your word so that you can have spiritual discernment and allow God to guide you in these unprecedented times. All right. Will said will, as we close today I want to encourage you to remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, bless God's great nation of Israel and to the only wise God be glory through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen. Amen. You can blame God for Ryan and I first was protected under our copyright is available@ourwebsite.org until next time great wealth