“And to
the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is
holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one
shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before
you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have
kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revelation 3:7-8 NKJV
Have
you ever experienced true sadness? I’m
talking about the type that makes you physically ill as a result of your
emotional distress. Unfortunately, you
probably have because it is an emotion all too common in the world in which we
live. I am equally sure that the reasons
for each of us to have experienced this type of sadness are probably extremely
diverse and often unique to each of us depending on the circumstances. We are not, however, alone in our capacity
for sadness because the Bible has made it very clear that Jesus experienced and
exhibited a wide range of emotions during His life on this earth, sadness being
one of them.
This
brings us to this passage from the book of Revelation written by John at the
direction of Jesus Christ, and specifically the first three chapters which
contain seven letters addressed to the Church.
Most all scholars agree that this list of seven churches, while
portraying a complete picture of the Church itself, also give a chronological
picture of the evolution of the Church throughout history, with the last
church, the church of Laodicea, being typical of the Church as it exists when
Jesus returns at the time of the rapture.
Considering that this church is described as lukewarm, with Jesus
actually being outside knocking to get in, is it any wonder we are told it will
be spit out of His mouth?
I
cannot help but wonder though, just how difficult it was and is for Jesus to
know and watch as His Church descended over time into its current form. Most commentaries I have read on these
letters state the opinion that the most influential and successful church form
is described in the letter to the church at Philadelphia, which receives no
words of correction but rather is praised for staying true to His Word, not
denying His name, and keeping His command to persevere.
Yet something happened to this Church and it
is what I believe has produced in our Lord a sadness which is almost
indescribable, and is what I believe will occasion His return for us any
day. Exactly what happened? You need look no further than two words in
verse eight of chapter three where we read that the Philadelphia church has
what is described as “little strength”.
The
word we find translated as strength can also be translated as power, which is
the Greek word “dynamis”. It is the same word we find elsewhere in
the New Testament, especially as it refers to the power of God in the person of
the Holy Spirit, which resides in all who choose to believe. Look at what Jesus had to say to the
disciples just before He ascended forty days after His resurrection.
“But
you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall
be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end
of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NKJV
This
occurred just ten days later when the disciples were gathered together on the
Feast of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit was sent as that promised power which
would indwell all who believe and serve to change the world in which we live by
the mechanism called the Church.
For I
am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation
for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16
NKJV
The
gospel of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the Church as God intended
it to be, have all served to change the world yet something has happened over
time which is revealed in one other word which we find in the message to
Philadelphia and that is the word “little”. It is the Greek word “micros”, which I suspect you find
familiar. Yes, it is where we get the
word “micro” which as we all know is used to describe extremely small units of
measurement. I have often used a
micrometer to measure something too small to be measured by a traditional ruler
or tape measure, and this is the word Jesus uses to describe the power of His
Church as the end approaches. Now answer
me this; just how sad do you believe this makes Jesus feel knowing and watching
what has happened to the Church He created?
Better
yet, how does knowing Jesus says, right now, the power of His Church can only
be measured by a micrometer make you feel?
Are you sad as well? What
happened to bring about the situation we find the Church in today? Obviously that can be found in the
description of the church at Laodicea, which many believe is typical of what we
see today in the emerging church movement, as well as other liberal
denominations which deny the divinity of Jesus or teach that faith in Jesus’
death and resurrection is not enough to save. I believe because of the popularity of these churches,what Jesus sees right now is His true Church being overwhelmed
and outnumbered by the Laodicean church. These "lukewarm" denominations are growing to such an extent that He chooses to
describe the power of the Philadelphian church as “mikros”.
This
is in no way descriptive of the power that God has given to His Church in the
person of the Holy Spirit, but rather a reflection of the size and influence it
now holds compared to the Laodicean church.
For the
message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who
are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 NKJV
So
what are we to do as a church as we find ourselves being overwhelmed and
outnumbered? I believe now more than
ever we need to be bold and speak out in the spirit of love sharing a message which
is not only unpopular, but also one that most do not want to hear.
For God
has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound
mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
Yet
there is good news here for those who choose to be part of the church at
Philadelphia, and I believe we are about to witness its fulfillment in the very
near future.
“Indeed
I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not,
but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know
that I have loved you. “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also
will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to
test those who dwell on the earth. “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what
you have, that no one may take your crown. Revelation 3:9-11 NKJV
Although
I am sure there are those who would argue, this verse is one of my favorite to
explain why I hold to the pretribulational rapture of the Church. Because we persevere, we will be kept from
that period of time in which the world will be punished for their
unbelief. Although the power of the
Philadelphia church is “little” compared to the Laodicean church, the power of
the Holy Spirit inside of those who choose to believe is not. My question for you is this; are you using
that power to the best of your ability?
Keep His command to persevere, and very soon we will see Jesus fulfill
His other promise; “Behold, I am coming quickly!” How
quickly? That’s the subject for next
week. (If we are still here.)
Keep
watching.
