Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Jesus is the teacher. Truly he is Master in the sense of being Lord. He became a servant to all so he could be Master to all. That’s the best relationship we could ever have. Because he is Lord, he is able to be Master in the sense of being our teacher. When they called him by title, one of those titles was Master. When he was washing the disciples’ feet he said Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Jesus reminded them he was Lord and Master. As the teacher he wanted them to put into practice what he was teaching them. Whether it’s how to be saved or baptism or some other instruction, we should put them into practice. We should be a witness and shining light for the gospel.
Jesus knew we’d need a lot of patience. We need faith to remember that we believe in God and faith to overcome the flesh and walk in the Spirit. Jesus said not to wait on our own ability but to take his patience. His patience lasts. I’ve had this old Bible here since the 1970’s. Some of the lettering on the outside is gone. The pages are worn; some are falling out. The book may be worn out but its words are just as fresh today as they were in the 70’s. The Word of God endures. We can keep the Word within us. It blesses and strengthens us.
There is a remedy for every situation. The church at Philadelphia is like Adwolfe. One of our needs is the word of his patience. One of the greatest enemies is discouragement. We find ourselves struggling. It seems like it used to be easier to be a Christian. However, the devil is still the same. Looking back and comparing it to today it seems harder than it was then. Evil is increasing. The devil tries to get God’s people down. You can lose patience and not want to go on. Jesus said he’d keep us through the Word of his patience. It is the hour of temptation. It blankets the world. Jesus said he’d keep us through that hour as we keep the Word of his patience. Don’t give up and lose sight of the promises of God. No matter how burdened down we are, God still blesses.
There has never been a more patient person than Jesus Christ. Look what was on him. Did he give up and say it’s not worth it? No. He kept on going. Not because he had to or because he could BUT so we could trust and count on him to help us endure. Jesus lets us know we can endure with him as Lord and Master. You look to him for guidance and instruction. How? Take your eyes off the bad. When we see these things come to pass, what does the Bible say? Look up. Redemption is drawing nigh. It’s rejoicing time! The devil can’t break us if we don’t let him.
Jesus said I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. If he opens the door, it’s open. If he shuts it, it is shut. Paul said that temptation is common to everybody. The strategy of the devil is the same for us all. The Bible says God makes a way of escape. There is always an open door. He didn’t set a shut door before the church at Philadelphia. It was an open door. There is an alternative to giving up. The open door is there. The devil can’t cut you off at the pass. Keep the Word and his patience and he’ll keep us. Take to heart what the Lord says. Obey him. Keep trusting him. Set your feelings aside and believe Jesus anyway. Don’t focus on the shut doors. Look for the open one. Jesus told them to keep on in the Word of his patience and he’d see them through. Is he not taking care of us now? He’ll take care of us later too.
Verse 7 says These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth. Can we trust him? Can we rely on him? Yes! He’s true. That means he’s right. If it’s not working, it’s not because he’s not right. He has the key to every situation. It opens or locks every situation. If the devil unleashes the hounds of hell, Jesus has the key to shut the door. When God opens a door, don’t be intimidated by the devil.
Will Jesus take care of us? Yes! One day we’ll meet these people from the church at Philadelphia. We’ll share with them our testimony about this same Jesus. In the meantime, trust his patience.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 