#40 On the Nature of God: Revelations from Revelation: Philadelphia

Remember that little guy in your class at school? No one could imagine that he would make the first-string football team. He was too little. But remember how fast he could run as the left halfback? And he was the most accurate passer on the team. Everyone thought that he wasn’t big enough to play. But he did play and served as the punter when the team couldn’t make ten yards.

The small church in Philadelphia was like that, Revelation 3:8-11:

“‘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.”

Although Philadelphia was little, it is the nature of God to know that this little church managed to keep His word and not deny His name despite persecutions from the Jewish synagogue. God was aware of how little they were, how they patiently endured, and how they used the open door that God had provided for their work. Apparently, they did what they could and did not slack off due to their small size. Because of these facts, Jesus would spare them when the later, terrible hour of trial would come. The Philadelphia church was a model church for all to see and duplicate. They used their opportunities and did what they could despite being small.

The only admonition to them provided by Jesus was to hold fast their faith.

The lesson to us is to duplicate this church—hold fast even when persecuted and take advantage of the opportunities provided by God.

It is the nature of God to know about and reward faithful obedience of His people even though they may be small in number.

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