Hold Fast

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ Revelations 3:7-13

This is the message to the church of Philadelphia. They were a faithful example of endurance. They had little power or influence, but they were faithful. They kept God’s Word. They did not deny His name. They were loved by God and this was His word of encouragement to them.

Often times, there are things that I have little power over that leave me wanting to give up the fight. There have been times in my walk where I have felt powerless and hopeless. There were times that I did not endure, but I am thankful that God continued to call me back. He is so good and faithful.

IN 2000, I heard a message that has kept me enduring for twenty-one plus years now. A line stayed with me “The blessing is closer than Satan wants you to believe.” The idea that I had already endured so much and might give up when the blessing or results that I had been waiting and praying for were just around the corner, has kept me from giving up more than a few times since then.

That is the same message that the angel is giving the church of Philadelphia. “The blessing is coming, just hold on.” He says in Verse 11, “I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have so that no one may seize your crown.” We can all heed this advice in our own lives too. This is the church group that we should want to be part.

Prayer – Lord, I want You to find me faithful when Christ returns for the Church. I may not be powerful but I know Your power is available on my life. I want to keep Your Word and proclaim Your Name. Lord, help me to endure like the church at Philadelphia.