Read about the church in Philadelphia today: Revelation 3: 7 -13
What a beautiful church this must have been! Did you notice that the Lord gave no reproofs to this body of believers. He just tells them to hold on to what they have ... to continue with patient endurance. They have been a faithful group of disciples. And he gives them a phenomenal promise: He places before them an open door!
He presents Himself to them in the start of this letter as the "One who holds the key of David." That reference has everything to do with authority and access. Then He tells them that He places before them an open door that no one can shut. Open doors in scripture symbolize opportunity. They symbolize the opportunities that God gives His people - opportunities for service, for bringing glory to Him, for Kingdom gain. People with a more worldly view of life might not see this as such a stupendous gift. However, for these believers in Philadelphia, for men and women who are filled with the Spirit of God and are sold out to God, this is a fabulous promise. You see, when a person is sold out to God, there is nothing more important than bringing glory to Him and living a life that has eternal purpose.
Remember when Jesus told the story of the Ten Virgins? You can read it in Matthew 25. There is a principle that surfaces in the telling of the story that seems to be at work in Philadelphia. Matthew 25:21, 23 "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!"
We see the same principle in Luke 8:18: "Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."
You see, when someone is faithful with a small task ... he/she can then be trusted with a larger task, a greater opportunity, an open door.
Have you experienced God opening a door for you? Did you respond ... or did fear do its dirty work? If so, confess it to the Lord and ask Him to give you another opportunity. Then be on the alert for that opening. When God opens a door - be ready to go through! Be prayed up ... stay filled with His Spirit ... so that when the door opens, you are ready.
Our Lord, we worship You as the One who is holy and true, the One who holds the key of David. Cause Your faithfulness to flow through us. And when you open a door of opportunity for us to do anything of Kingdom significance ... Lord give the courage for us to step into the opening!
Gail,
ReplyDeleteI can't begin to tell you how much I am enjoying these lessons on Revelation. They are very helpful and brighten my days. I feel as if we are having our own personal conversations daily.
I thank God that you are such an able teacher.
Much love and God bless, BH