Passionate Pursuit...

CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA   REVELATION STUDY CHPT 3:7-13

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 SHUTETH; AND SHUTTETH AND NO MAN OPENETH;
I KNOW THY WORKS: BEHOLD, I HAVE SET BEFORE THEE AND OPEN DOOR, AND NO MAN CAN SHUT IT FOR THOU HAST A LITTLE STRENGTH, AND HAS KEPT MY WORD, AND HAST NOT DENIED MY NAME.

Philadelphia is a word which means brotherly love: the question was asked,  “who is my mother, who is my brother? Those that do the will of my Father.” He mentions that He is Holy which speaks as to distinguish between cleanliness and something not divine. The operation of the Spirit is Holy and He’s truthful and pure. He hath the keys of David which means he hath favor of the most high. He has access to God’s own heart. He can move him to open and close doors.

II SAMUEL 12:8
AND I GAVE THEE THY MASTERS HOUSE, AND THY MASTERS WIVES INTO THY BOSOM, AND GAVE THEE THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND OF JUDAH, AND IF THAT HAD BEEN TOO LITTLE, I WOULD MOREOVER HAVE GIVEN UNTO THEE SUCH AND SUCH THINGS.

The need is present to address the favor that the Lord poured upon David. How much more so now that Jesus has come and died, rose, and poured His Holy Spirit? He is stating that his favor is there for those who pursue him their whole heart. He addressed the works. There are times where your works get as far as they can go on your own strength. Sometimes the works require access that can only be given by the power of the Holy Spirit. Man cannot get you access you need. Through your works you haven’t denied the Lord’s name. Be sure your works are works in obedience to the faith and not to the flesh.

BEHOLD, I WILL MAKE OF THEM THE SYNOGOGUE OF SATAN, WHICH SAY THEY ARE JEWS, AND ARE NOT, BUT DO LIE; BEHOLD, I WILL MAKE THEM TO COME AND WORSHIP BEFORE THY FEET, AND TO KNOW THAT I HAVE LOVED THEE.
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.

Most people want their enemies handled. They want to know that Jesus Christ will fight for them. Jesus said that vengeance belongs to Him, he will repay those that trouble you. Fret not thyself because of evildoers. He said he will make them of the adversary who say that they are Jews and aren’t meaning those who claim to be part of the fold of believing bodies. For this reason the Lord has often stated that He does the separation, not we ourselves. Because you are faithful you will be shielded from the time of tribulation that shall come upon the world.

BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY: HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST, THAT NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN. HIMM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I MAKE A PILLAR IN THE TEMPLE OF MY GOD, AND HE SHALL GO NO MORE OUT: AND I WILL WRITE UPON HIM THE NAME OF MY GOD, AND THE NAME OF THE CITY OF MY GOD, WHICH IS NEW JERUSALEM, WHICH COMETH DOWN OUT OF HEAVEN FROM MY GOD: AND I WILL WRITE UPON HIM MY NEW NAME.
HE THAT HATH AN EAR, LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES.

The Lord is warning this church to hold tight to what has been established from the beginning. The adversary also knows your works of faithfulness and he will be relentless with attempts to get you to lose your crown of life which the Lord has promised you.

JAMES 1:12
BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT ENDURETH TEMPTATION, FOR WHEN HE IS TRIED, HE SHALL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE, WHICH THE LORD HAS PROMISED TO THEM THAT LOVE HIM.
You will  be tried but you must overcome the traps and the snares of the enemy. The Lord promises those who do shall be pillars in the house of the Lord. He shall go no more out, meaning that he is assured. His word will not fail He will remain unshakeable, unmovable, ever abounding in the love of Jesus Christ. Pillars are significant in the fact that they make and frame the house  and keep the house form falling. There is power in a name, so much so that many names have changed to signify the presence of the Most High. We see this example with Abram and Sarai. We see the need for such changes when man gives a name according to the flesh, then the Holy Spirit intervenes and gives a name according to the Spiritual will of God comparing spiritual with spiritual. Jacob meaning “trickster” was changed to Israel. People go forth and  they want to make a name for themselves. They build towns, legacies, and businesses. However, Jesus Christ shares that those who are called by His name, who overcome, and remain faithful will He give a name. He will write His God upon Him as well as His city. This is similar to a record of birth showing that you belong to God from Heaven. Heaven makes record of all things including the residents which come cometh down from God:
JOHN 14:1-3
LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED: YE BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME.
IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS: IF IT WERE NOT SO, I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU.
AND I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU, I WILL COME AGAIN , AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF, THAT WHERE I AM, THERE YOU MAY BE ALSO AND WHITHER I GO YE KNOW AND THE WAY YE KNOW.

They platted a crown of thorns for Jesus Christ. Then they put a name plate over him in three different languages which stated “ JESUS OF NAZARETH KING OF THE JEWS”. People often mock and threaten to take what the Lord has established for those who love him. They threaten to take your home. They may threaten to take your identity or name. They oftentimes have attempted this through tactics of fear and intimidation, abuse of authority. They came to Jesus at his time to be delivered up and Pilate asked in John 19:11 : THEN PILATE SAID UNTO HIM, SPEAKEST THOU NOT UNTO ME? KNOWEST THOU NOT THAT I HAVE POWER TO CRUCIFY THEE AND I HAVE THE POWER TO RELEASE YOU?
JESUS ANSWERED, THOU COULDEST HAVE NO POWER AT ALL AGAINST ME; EXCEPT IT WERE GIVEN THEE FROM ABOVE: THEREFORE HE THAT DELIVERETH ME UNTO THEE HATH THE GREATER SIN.

Stand tall and do the will and purpose of Christ. Remain unshakeable, unmovable. Jesus will make you a pillar. He will give you a name that no one can take. He will do what He promised to do. Hear what the spirit is saying. Therein is the patience of the saints, children of Most High, what they have to look forward to.