Revelation 3:7-13 – “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
“The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.” First of all, this was not a physical temple that is being referred to. Revelation 21:22 states that in our final home with God there is no temple because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. This was imagery showing residency in a holy place with God
Remembering that the city of Philadelphia had been shaken and fallen (AD 17), the image of the victorious in Jesus being a pillar in the temple of God was powerful. Being a pillar in the eternal New Jerusalem that will never be shaken, is a great comfort. David wanted to build a temple to house the Ark of the Covenant with God. There the Shekinah glory of God could be encountered. God created us (the Believer) to be His glory (Isaiah 43:7). In the New Jerusalem we shall be permanent members (pillars) and we whom God Himself saved shall forever reflect the glory of our God. In the redeemed the beauty and magnificence of God will forever brilliantly shine.
Are we looking forward to always and eternally being in the presence of God? The Lord says that we will never leave the temple (symbolic) and shall forever be with Him. Praise the Lord!
Notice how, in V12 four times He uses the term “my God.” Family, this is personal. When Jesus was on earth He lived to do the will of the Father (Luke 2:49, John 4:34). In the end, after the Jesus has destroyed all power that opposes God, He will lay everything at the feet of God Almighty whom Jesus calls “my Father” (1 Corinthians 15:24-26). The writing of the name of God, the New Jerusalem, and the “new name” of Jesus on us is showing that we, for all of eternity belong to God. Always we will be with Him, and in Him. We shall proudly be known as the children of God. How wonderful that for all of eternity, whoever sees us, will know us first as children of God. Family, I am proud of my family, of my father and mother, and the last name I bear, but no association will I be prouder of than to be unmistakably known as a child of Almighty God! Praise God!
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” All those who belong to God Almighty the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, hear and consider, with life and death importance, what the Spirit says to all of us. Let us be wise and follow and obey.
What a great future we have! How undeniable and indelible is the saving power of Jesus! Praise God who loves us so much! We are loved beyond our comprehension! Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
This entry was posted in Devotion and tagged Corinthians, Isaiah, John, Luke, Micah, Psalm, Revelation by Bob with
“The one who is victorious, I will make a pillar…” It sounds like an contest; a competition of sorts. And though we all compete for the prize, we can all be winners.
I love your blogs and when I catch it first thing in the morning, I am getting off to a great start. Thanks Bob.