December 8, 2023 - Revelation 3:7-13

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia . . .” (3:7). These words to the church at Philadelphia speak of the holy one, the true one, who is of David (OT prophecy, anyone?), and who is sovereign over all his works. He opens and shuts doors and no one can alter what he does. This church is small, it has little power, but it has remained faithful and, so, the Lord promises to protect it from the judgment that is to come. Furthermore, he says to this church and all churches that remain faithful: “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name” (3:12). I can’t help but think of Baxter Avenue Baptist Church: small, little power, and few worldly resources. These promises are to Baxter and, indeed, every church that remains faithful. The writer of Hebrews encourages us, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). Indeed, he is!

Here faith is ours, and heavenly hopes,

And grace to lead us higher:

But there are perfectness and peace

Beyond our great desire.

O by Thy love and anguish, Lord,

O by Thy life laid down,

O that we fall not from Thy grace,

Nor cast away our crown! -- Cecil Frances Alexander (1861)