11/11/14- Philadelphia

To the angel in the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 10Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. (Revelation 3) 

Thoughts: The Son of God had nothing bad to say about this first city of brotherly love.  They were weak in number and financially poor, but they were faithful.  God has placed before them an opportunity.  An open door is a symbol of hope.  If we keep our faith, God will keep us.  His advice to them is to hold onto what they have- to keep the faith- semper fi.  

Prayer:  Help me to keep my faith and to be strong for you.  

11/10/14- Sardis- Holding on when the church is Dead

1“To the angel^a of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits^b of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

4Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. 6Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Revelation 3) 

Thoughts: The church in Sardis was dead.  They seemed alive on the outside, but their heart was gone.  They were like the Pharisees that Jesus called "White washed walls."  Such walls were rotten on the inside with a fresh coat of paint.  Some churches have great reputations but the reason for their being church is gone- they lack faith and a focus on Christ.
     The advice given to the Sardinians is to wake up and strengthen and to remember and repent.  The alarm clock is going off for the Dardinians.
       But there are some who have not polluted themselves with the deadness of the rest of the Sardinians.  They will be made pure.  The advice to them is to not go off and go to another church- like Smyrna.  They were not told to go out and found the second church of Sardis- made up of people who had not soiled their clothes.  For many people, they draw lines in the sand about when they would leave their church or divide from their congregations. We should quit drawing such lines.  The line is when we get kicked out for being faithful.  The faithful Sardinians, Thyatirans, and Philadelphians were all told to "hold on."  Holding on is not dividing or leaving.  It is being faithful where you are called as a remnant.  When a church seems dead- that does not mean to leave.  You may be the only light shining.  Be that light- be the remnant.  

Prayer: Help me to hold on to you, with faithfulness and grace.