Pastor Dan Nickerson – April 15th, 2021
As we continue looking at the church in Philadelphia we are encouraged by theses verses because they reminded the believers in Philadelphia, as well as us today, that the Lord is coming back soon, and the Christian is obligated to be looking for His return (Matthew 24:27) (Luke 21:25-28) (Acts 1:10-11) (2 Timothy 4:8) (Revelation 1:7). We are to live everyday in the light of His soon coming. Why is this so important for the church? The answer lies in the fact that those who are looking for Him are always those who are living for Him (2 Corinthians 7:1) (2 Peter (1 John 3:1-3). Are you living for Him?When we are looking for Jesus to come back, we will want to live a life that is pleasing to Him. In other words we will not want to be found doing things that we would be ashamed of, but instead testifying that a life in Jesus Christ is different in those He saves by His grace.
Notice that the believers who are in Philadelphia are obliged to hold onto the things they have (3:11). Hold on to what? His Word and His Name
His Word which…..
- Makes one free – (John 8:32)
- Produces faith – (Romans 10:17)
- Makes one wise – (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
- Gives delight to the heart – (Jeremiah 15:16)
- Restrains – (Psalm 119:9,11)
- Is the vehicle of life – (1 Peter 1:23)
His Name which…..
- Is majestic – (Psalm 8:1)
- Is glorious – (Isaiah 63:14)
- Everlasting – (Psalm 135:13)
- Exalted – (Psalm 148:13) (Philippians 2:9)
- Holy and Awesome – (Psalm 111:9)
They are to guard these two areas so that no one can take their crown. They are also obliged to overcome (3:12). This verse lets them know that there will be a day when they will be rewarded for their faithfulness and their obedience to the work of the Lord, and the same is true for us. That’s a humbling thought, right? Over-comers are told that they will be a pillar in the temple of My God. That is an exceptional promise. Certainly, pillars are a picture of strength, stability, and dignified beauty. The ancient city of Philadelphia suffered from frequent earthquakes, so when a building collapsed in an earthquake often all that remained were the huge pillars. One can see that in some of the present day photos of this region.
Jesus offers us this same strength (symbolic of those pillars) to remain standing in Him when everything around us crumbles. The pillar holds up the building, the only thing supporting the pillar is the foundation. True pillars in the church support the church, and they look to Jesus as their support foundation (1 Timothy 3:14-15), that’s us, WOW!
He shall go out no more. The overcomer will have a place of permanence and stability with God in contrast to an uncertain place in this world. Oh, how wonderful God is! Again, the citizens of Philadelphia lived an unsettled and uncertain life. Whenever the earthquake tremors came, and they came often, the people of Philadelphia fled from the city out into the open country to escape the falling stone structures and flying stones. In their fear the people of Philadelphia were always going out and coming in because they were always fleeing from the city and then returning to it.
However, there is another belief as to why Jesus said, “and he shall go out no more” (3:12). The ancient city of Philadelphia was filled with many pagan temples, so it was the practice in Philadelphia for citizens who had served the city to be honored by having a pillar with their name engraved on it placed in one of the pagan temples. To have your name on a pillar was one of the greatest honors known to people of that time. Some believe Jesus is telling this church that they will be honored by being made a pillar in His Temple, this then would speak of our security in Him.
His promise is for strength, stability, steadfastness, and security. He is promising to establish His people in absolute security in His presence one day. Whichever is the main meaning, notice where the emphasis is placed in this verse. It is not on man, but it is on the Lord, notice, “I will make…..Jesus is the One who will make us a pillar in the Temple of Our God. One day the saved are going home, where we will spend eternity with our blessed Lord.
We are told that the Lord’s people will be marked with the name of Jehovah the name of the New Jerusalem – and with the name of Jesus! That is, they will be marked as God’s people, as with us. We are marked as to our destination and we are marked as to our Master. He is not ashamed to be identified with us in this day. He has already placed His mark on us and we are destined for home. Those who are washed in the blood of Jesus are saved, sealed, and secure (Ephesians 1:11-14).
Let the church (corperately) take good inventory of where we are today. This world hates the Christian, the devil hates the Christian and each day sees the church become the focus of increasing attacks of hatred, but we are the redeemed children of God. We are the spotless, chaste, virgin bride of the Lamb of God. Our names are known by God, and we’ll enter that city and be firmly fixed there forever. Praise His name!
But until then we need to be sure that we continue in the things the Lord has called us to. It is not the time to quit, it is not the time to slow down, it is not the time to let someone else do it. It is time to go on in the work of the Lord, holding fast to His Word and not denying His name. Let us continue to carry out until we are carried up.