LISTEN NOW! 

The PROTECTION of JESUS - ENDTIMES CHAT with GJ and DAN 

The Church of Philadelphia is commended for their dependence on the Lord’s strength, their dedication to God’s Word, and their Devotion to the Lord Himself. He promises protection to the church there for their faithfulness to Him.

There are two areas of protection we can receive because of the level of faithfulness the church in Philadelphia had:

Jesus will honor us in the eyes of non-believers who have been hostile to us.

These are such wonderful words to a believing heart, especially for the one who has endured a great deal of pressure and hostility from unbelievers. No matter how extensive the verbal and even physical abuse some believers have experienced, the Lord will one day show them how much He loves them.

Jesus will keep us from the hour of trial which shall come on the whole world.

The reason for this promise is the perseverance of the believers under persecution and pressure from the society in which they lived. God has a wonderful reward for all who stand firm in their faith and remain dedicated to the Word of God no matter what trials they face.

Jesus then tells the church, “I am coming soon.” Then he gives them (and us) a challenge.

The challenge. The challenge is to "Hold on to what you have." This was stated before in these letters (Revelation 2:13, Revelation 2:25; Revelation 3:3). Dedication and loyalty are being urged. Today we might emphasize this message with the word commitment. How committed are you to the message of God's Word? What do you do when pressured to deny Him or to remain silent when you should speak? John wrote elsewhere: 'And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming" (1 John 2:28).

The consequence. Jesus Christ urged us to be faithful and loyal "that no one will take your crown." He did not say "crowns," but used the singular form. It is the "crown of life" (Revelation 2:10) to which He is referring. It is the symbol of final victory-living forever with the Lord. Those who deny the Lord and do not hold fast to their commitment will be lost forever. There will be no crown for them.

Then come the PROMISES to those who overcome!

Jesus promises to do two things: He will make the over-comer a pillar, and He will write on him some wonderful names. These are issues of permanence, security, and identity.

It is the promise of a permanent place. The Lord will make this happen; we can't. “A pillar in the temple of My God" is, of course, not to be taken literally but figuratively. According to Revelation 21:22, there is no literal temple in the eternal city. The "temple of My God" refers to the dwelling place of God, and the fact that we are described as "a pillar" indicates that we have a permanent place with the Lord forever and ever.

It is the promise of a special identity. In three ways, we are assured of a special identity and relationship with the Lord forever. The Lord will write three things on us: (1) "The name of My God," (2) "the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem," and (3) "My new name.”

Our relationship to God the Father, the Son, and the eternal city, the New Jerusalem, are all secure by this wonderful promise. It's like one giant summary statement- we belong to the Lord-nothing can ever change that fact! This wonderful letter of encouragement to the faithful and the overcomers is a reminder that one day it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.

PRAY. PREPARE. PROTECT. PROCLAIM. PERSIST. PERSEVERE. PRAY AGAIN. PASS IT ON. POWER UP. POSITION PROPERLY. PAY ATTENTION. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING.