Encouragement For The Faithful Church

I like to imagine Jesus dictating the letter to the church at Philadelphia to John with a smile on His face.  Unlike many of the other letters we’ve been studying in Revelation, this letter had no condemnation.  Their letter was filled with hope and encouragement because they had remained faithful to God. 

Encouragement can be found in almost every verse of this letter starting with verses 7 and 8 when Jesus, the keeper of the keys explains that only He can open and shut the door.  What door is he referring to?  Is it the door to the Kingdom of God or is it referring to ministry opportunities as referenced in 1 and 2 Corinthians (see 1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12)?  Maybe both?  For the church at Philadelphia knowing they were welcomed into God’s Kingdom even though they were not welcomed at the synagogue had to be a huge encouragement.  For the church of today, perhaps the door relates to ministry opportunities and the encouragement lies in the fact that it’s God who opens the door, it’s God who saves and our part is to remain faithful and steadfast in good times and bad so that everyone can see God’s light shining through us.  This may be the most encouraging piece of this letter for me. A reminder that it’s not about my strength or my abilities or who I know as long as I know the keeper of the keys and remain faithful to Him. 

The encouragement continues in verse 9 when Jesus says, “Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan … bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.” How encouraging must it have been for those persecuted to know they will be vindicated? The people who worked so hard to exclude the church of Philadelphia from every part of society will learn that Jesus loves those who are faithful to His name and Word.  In verse 8 Jesus says he “knows their works”.  He knew they were staying true to Him under difficult and stressful circumstances. What a joy it is to be known and loved!

If Jesus wrote you a letter today would he be smiling? Are you faithful through trials and sorrows?  Are you relying on God’s strength to accomplish what only God can do? My prayer for us today is that we all remain faithful and true to “He who is holy”, that we encourage others as Jesus encourages us and that we utilize prayers and His Word to strengthen, encourage and sustain us while we run the race of life.

Brenda Wooff