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Friday January 23 - More than conquerors
“The one who conquers... I will write on him the name of my God, and the
name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem...” Revelation 3:12
The promise and challenge to the conquerors, which is present in all seven letters, is given in this verse. Believers will be immovable pillars in the temple, will have God’s name written on them, and will bear the name of the new Jerusalem. The promises to the overcomers in the previous letters suggest that the reward here is eternal life itself. John employs highly symbolic language to describe the final reward believers will enjoy if they conquer. All genuine believers are overcomers – that is, that by grace they remain faithful to Christ, in a world beset with all kinds of temptation and opposition.
The promises above are full of encouragement. The language of ‘being a pillar in the temple’ means that believers are eternally secure. No enemy will ever be able to harm them or remove them from God’s presence. Christians belong to God and are safe in the care of the One who has put his name on them, for God is jealous, above all else, for the glory and honour of his name – and therefore there is no possibility of being separated from his presence. Those who overcome will be citizens in the heavenly Jerusalem. No-one holds power or sovereignty over Jesus. True believers “hold fast” (v 11) and don’t deny Jesus’ name, and his name is inscribed on them. The main point here is clear: having Jesus’ name means that believers belong to Jesus and are protected by his love and power, forever.
Father God, thank you that I am eternally secure in Christ. Amen!
Saturday January 24 - Ears to hear
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 3:13
As in the other letters, the words of Jesus are also the words of the Spirit, and the message is directed to all the churches, not just the church at Philadelphia. Hence, believers in all the churches are exhorted to pay attention to the message from the Spirit. These seven letters speak to the church in every age between the first and second advents of Christ. They are timeless exhortations, warnings and encouragements for Christians to remain faithful to Jesus. What the Spirit says, he has already spoken in his word. All other promptings and leadings must be subject to his infallible, and authoritative, revelation.
May we ever become better acquainted with the Word of God, that we might ever grow in our relationship to the God of the Word. Revelation promises repeatedly that a great reward will be given to those who continue to trust Jesus Christ. Even if our power is small, like the church of Philadelphia; even if our church seems slight or insignificant; a door is opened for us that will never be closed. God protects and defends those who belong to him. When judgments are unleashed on the earth, he will guard and keep us from turning our back on the Saviour or falling away from the truth. We will safely make it across the Jordan and enjoy God’s presence forever.
Father, help me to hold fast to your word. Grant me understanding and an obedient, Christ-exalting heart. Amen!
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY