Revelation 3:7-13
God knows us better than we know ourselves and He has promised never to give us more than we can bear, always showing us a way out so that we can endure. He knows what and when we need it as He shapes and molds us to be His church and the faithful depend upon His grace, mercy, and love to see them through. God watches how we respond under pressure and He rewards and instructs so that we might grow, for we are not meant to remain babes that can only take milk. How silly would it look to see a teen eating baby food all the time? Then why do you think it is any different in the things of the spirit?
The church in Philadelphia faced persecution that disguised itself as family, as God’s chosen people but God said they were from Satan’s synagogue. God said they would acknowledge that YOU are the ones I love and they would bow at your feet. Why because deception is one thing we see God coming against very harshly. Time and time again we see Jesus rebuke religious leaders that twisted the law to fit their needs while crushing those who were supposed to be under their protection. Jesus came to show us who God really was, he said if you have seen me then you have seen the Father.
If you had really known Me, you would know who My Father is. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him!"
(Joh 14:7 NLT)
Another place Jesus also said that if you cause one of mine to fall into sin it would be better for you to have a millstone tied to your neck and thrown into the sea (Mark 9:42).
So who belongs to God? Revelation 3:10 Jesus makes it clear it is those who remain faithful to His commands to persevere. To those He promises to protect and keep from a “great time of testing that will come upon the whole world”. The letter to those in Philadelphia closes with hope that causes them to persevere and it is meant for us today, if we know Jesus.
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
(Rev 3:11 NLT)
