“This is the message from the one who is holy and true. He has the key that belonged to David, and when he opens a door, no one can close it, and when he closes it, no one can open it. 8 I know what you do; I know that you have a little power; you have followed my teaching and have been faithful to me. I have opened a door in front of you, which no one can close. 9 Listen! As for that group that belongs to Satan, those liars who claim that they are Jews but are not, I will make them come and bow down at your feet. They will all know that I love you. 10 Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you safe from the time of trouble which is coming upon the world to test all the people on earth. 11 I am coming soon. Keep safe what you have, so that no one will rob you of your victory prize. 12 I will make those who are victorious pillars in the temple of my God, and they will never 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 will come down out of heaven from my God. I will also write on them my new name.
13 “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!
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Several thoughts
ran through my mind as I was formulating my complaints. Instead of blurting out
frustrations, I thought it would be wise to put my thought together. Before I
could present the complaints, I was met with a greeting of thanks followed by “I
know things have been chaotic around here, but because you stayed and did not
complain, I am going to put you in charge.”
- I was ready to give up, but when I heard this, I could endure a little more.
- I knew I was in a difficult situation, but I could endure more, because it was recognized.
- I thought the bad situation was going to get worse, but endurance paid off.
John, the disciple
JESUS loved, gave a message of endurance from JESUS to the church of Philadelphia.
JESUS sends HIS love to those who have endured hardship, persecution, lies and
slander. HE encouraged them by saying HE is the one who opens doors no one can
close, so endure.
My Observations:
- GOD goes with me through difficult situations, not around them.
- Turning my complaints into praise helps me endure situations.
- Understanding that there is something better on the other side of endurance helps me to keep going!
Enduring trouble
may seem worthless, but it’s not. I mean, when problem after problem, after
problem happen, it seems like there is no alternative, but to give up. BUT GOD
says “endure.” Why? Because HE sees you after HE delivered you from trouble.
HE is the one who closed
the door you were not supposed to go through but opened the one HE needs you
in. No one can close a door that JESUS has opened for you and me! No one! HE
rewards you when you endure.
Challenge
- What words of encouragement do you hear the writer record from JESUS?
- Have you gone through difficult situations for a long time?
- Will you endure, because JESUS sees you and knows you and loves you?
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