And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; "These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens -- I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name." (Revelation 3:7-8; Acts 2:1-47)
Who is He that is holy? Who is He that is true? Who is He that hath the key of David, and opens wherein no man shuts, and shuts, wherein no man opens. Could it be this same Lord Jesus who said, "I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life!" (John 14:6) This same Jesus who said, "I AM the Bread of Life!" (John 8:58) This Jesus that said when you come to Him, He will make all things new, wherein ye will never thirst again And, as well, this same Jesus whom Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) openly declared -- "This same Jesus whom ye have crucified is both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36)
The first man, Adam, earthy but the second the Lord God from Heaven. The promised Messiah who came and redeemed us with His own precious holy blood. (Acts 20:28) "After the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared ..." (Titus 3:4-7)
And yet, here we are denying His very Name -- the Name the angel declared when the Holy Ghost had this signified, that the time had come for the dayspring from on high to visit His people. The time to usher in a dispensation of grace, wherein the Lord God Almighty declared peace and good will to all, pouring out His Spirit on all who believe.
God manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16) He was in the world and the world was made by Him and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own and His own received Him not. (John 1:10-11) The Word made flesh -- the same Word who was with God and was God dwelt among us so that we could behold His glory. (John 1:1-3, 14)
Jesus -- the Name above every other Name. The only Name whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:9)
And ye shall call His Name JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins ... Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us. (Matthew 1:21-23)
Hallowed be Thy Name! (Matthew 6:9)
What did Peter and the apostles recognize on the day of Pentecost -- that these apostles would preach the salvation message in one accord? That when we repent and are water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we become clothed in His righteousness, receiving the Holy Ghost that will lead and guide us into all truth. (Acts 2:38-41)
About to ascend, Jesus said to the disciples whom He had chosen, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:2-3, 8)
Indeed, worthy is the Lamb! The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords who only hath immortality, dwelling in the Light which no man can approach unto, whom no man hath seen, nor can see -- to whom be honour and power everlasting -- amen! (I Timothy 6:12-16; Revelation 1:8)
"... and hast borne, and hast patience, and for My Name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." (Revelation 2:3)
"... and thou hold fast My Name, and hast not denied My faith" (Revelation 2:13)
To the church of Philadelphia -- "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name .... him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the Name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him My new Name." (Revelation 3:8, 12)
But for those who deny His Name -- the precious Name of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ -- given to us specifically for this current dispensation of grace? From Matthew 7, Jesus said, "Many will say to Me in that day -- "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works?" (Matthew 7:22)
As my Dad used to say, "What are you going to do with Acts 2:38?" It is a good question given the times and the seasons in which we live. Still, Jesus said we have to be born again of both the water and the Spirit. (John 3:1-23) It isn't sufficient to speak the Name of Jesus. We need to buried with Him in baptism, and resurrected into life. (Romans 6:1-4)
Thus, how does Jesus conclude regarding the church of Philadelphia?
Jesus said, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee ... because thou hast kept the word of My patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown ..." (Revelation 3:9-12)
Let those with ears to hear, hear, and eyes to see, see. Stand in the offering plate.
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