Many evangelical churches have struggled to find strategies that allow them to effectively reach people with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite the rich heritage of evangelical education on this continent, there is a sense of discouragement, even discouragement, among many Christians with regard to perspectives. evangelization in our time. As a result, a variety of pragmatic models have been used to ensure the success of gospel communication.
However, before the evangelical church succumbs to the temptation to devise strategies that adapt the gospel to the spirit of this age, we must listen carefully to Christ’s letter to the Church in Philadelphia. In this letter, Christ speaks to a small, cornered church: bestalked by fierce opposition to his Christian denomination, and warmly assures them that he would put an opportunity to “open door” for the testimony of his name (Revelation 3. 8). Because of his strong attachment to the true confession of Jesus Christ, the testimony of the Church of Philadelphia will be a beacon to guide its members and others to have fellowship with the living God and enter its sanctuary.
- The arrangement of this letter is very similar to that of the others.
- Begins with an important identification of the author of the letter.
- Who is the only one who has the?David’s key? And he has the power to bestow delivered in the kingdom of God (v.
- 7).
- So the letter extends a word of encouragement to the Church of Philadelphia.
- Promising an opportunity to “open door” given its stubborn perseverance (v.
- 8).
- And it ends with a rich security of communion with the living God in his eternal temple-sanctuary.
The way in which the author of this letter is identified presents a particularly important context for his message. The words of this letter come from who is “the saint, the true one, the one who holds the key of David, who opens it, and no one will close it, and who will close it, and no one will open it. “Holy is true, these are divine attributes in the scriptures and in the book of Revelation (6. 10). Christ thus assures the Christians of Philadelphia that his words have divine authority. Christ himself is the true witness whose word is absolutely reliable. they are assured of the principle that Jesus is the true Messiah and that their testimony of Christ is quite true.
These initial identifying words recall the language that identifies Christ in Revelation 1:18, and also explicitly invoke the language of Isaiah 22. 22, where Eliakim is identified as the servant of the Lord who had been given the authority to administer the keys of the house of David. What Isaiah prophesied about Eliakim prefigured jesus Christ, who has absolute authority over the key to the house of God and the eternal kingdom. No one, whether Jewish or pagan, enters god’s house or has a place among God’s people unless Christ grants it to him. access or entrance.
With these remarkable words of identification ringing in his ears, the letter becomes Christ’s promise to the Church of Philadelphia. Does Christ know his works? He knows that the church of Philadelphia was, from the point of view of number or social prestige, a church of “little strength” (Revelation 3. 8). But had this church saved the word of Christ and not denied its name?His testimony of the truth about Jesus had stood firm, even when those in the “Synagogue of Satan” opposed his testimony and his confession of Christ.
To this faithful church, Christ promises one? Open Door: The opportunity to bear witness to the gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, the true king of God’s people. Because of their persevering fidelity to the Gospel, this church, located in a strategic geographical position in the ancient world, enjoy the privilege of calling both Jews and pagans to recognize Jesus as Savior and Lord. Christ, who holds the key to entering the kingdom of God, assures this cornered church that he will be particularly privileged in the witness and mission of the Gospel.
Because the Church of Philadelphia has kept the word of Christ with patient resignation, can you be sure that it will be saved at the time of the trial that must come to the whole world before the coming of Christ?This security, contrary to the interpretation of some, is not a promise that Philadelphia believers will be delighted before trial time, but will be preserved amid all the evidence that comes. Nothing will separate you from God’s love in Christ, so, as they cling firmly to his “crown,” they are encouraged to look to the future, when they and all those who share their faith in Christ will live forever in God’s presence.
The message of this letter to the contemporary church is surprisingly clear: no message could be more relevant to an evangelical church that risks losing faith in the ancient gospel and its power to transform sinners in the image of Jesus Christ.
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This article is part of the “Churches of Revelation” series. See the list of articles on the topic:
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