The Hope Of The World
December 21, 2014
Let’s finish this amazing letter to the church of Philadelphia/Sumites.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
On Friday we discovered Jesus’ heart for all of us who have endured under great pressure and have stood upon our faith and did not deny His name.
Today, Let’s look at the last portion of this letter. It’s amazing. Truly.
Jesus reminds us that He is coming soon and that we must stay the course. Hold on to what you have. What do we have SUMites? Our faith. Our Lord, our Spiritual gifts, our blessings and our HOPE and the LOVE of Jesus. The Kingdom of God is vast and full. And what awaits is a crown. But even more astonishing than a crown is what Jesus declares next.
The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. A pillar is an example of a leader. Leadership in the Kingdom of God. We will never have to leave the temple.
The next few verses which end this letter are a mind-blow. We will bear His name and that of the New Jerusalem. That means we have citizenship in this prominent city. My friends, I would be happy to just be the keeper of the horses in the new earth, but to have a mansion in the city is a great honor.
I can only dream what the literal implications of this letter may mean for us. What I do know is this. IT’S GOOD!
Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. My friends, I’m convinced this letter is for us. Are you listening?
Jesus sees your struggle.
He knows you have not denied His name.
He will watch as those who have been controlled by Satan come to us and acknowledge that we were right all along to believe in Jesus.
He will set our persecution right by keep us from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world.
Our reward for our perseverance is a crown. Leadership. Citizenry in the New Jerusalem. And we will bear the name of our Lord forever and ever.
Hallelujah!
What does this letter mean to you?
Merry Christmas.
And his name will be the hope of all the world —Matthew 12:21
Dieen and I will be taking the rest of this week off to spend with our families. Enjoy your Christmas. Be back here next Monday as we get ready for our community fast. More info then. It's always amazing, powerful and God moves.
