044 - Revelation 3 - Part 1

Revelation 3

Letter to the Converts of Sardis (Robotics)

Characteristic

·         I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.   (Rev 3.1);

 

Sardis was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Lydia. It was situated in a plain watered by the River Pactolus, thirty miles southwest of Thyatira. It was conquered by Cyrus, and later by Alexander the Great.    

This group of brothers had a name. The question is: in the sight of men or of the Eternal One? As the phrase " I will not blot out his name out of the book of life" (Rev 3.5), these brothers had the name before the Eternal One. They were individuals who have been born again and had their names written in the book of life, i.e., were being used for the Eternal One.

Nothing is mentioned about the other six oholyao. This is not to say that they did not have the name of Christ in their lives. However, while the other six had the name just because they are sons of the Eternal One, Sardis had also received the name of the Lamb to engage with Him in marriage. In other words, the brothers of Sardis were those who more deepened in the relationship with the Eternal One. 

This is why Jesus said "Remember how thou hast received and heard." In other words, they received Jesus, His Word, gifts and talents with a pure love of a bride in love.

However, at a given time, they began to move away from communion with the Almighty, which resulted in the corruption of His wisdom (as came about with Ha-Satan - Ezek 28.16,17) and in incomplete works (sterile - Rev 3.2).

However, after some time, they virtually ceased to hear the voice of Jesus and began to live on the basis of the righteousness which is of the law (Rom 10.5). They died spiritually, although some still remained in the righteousness which is by faith (Rom 9.30 - Rev 3.4).

Most of the works became mechanical (without the direct intervention of Jesus). There were still some works that were made on the basis of what Jesus said (the voice of Jesus was rare, but still a few hear it). To the world, Sardis seems like a star. However, the One who has the Spirit without measure and the seven stars know differentiate between brightness and brightness.

But what could take away the spiritual life of someone?

 

·         "But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." (1 Tim 5.6) -> pleasures of the flesh;

·         "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2Tim 3:5) -> let the cares of this life leads us to reject the effectiveness of piety, so as to lead us to go over the feelings of individuals;

·         "Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) (Eph 2.5)" -> pride of life, which leads us to fight with the individuals in so far as we seek the other ambitions;

·         "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." (Eph 5.14) -> To be with eyes closed for true goodness and doing a blind eye to evil.

 

Although the brothers of Sardis and Laodicea did not have internal enemies (there wasn’t heresy, as Jezebel, Balaam and the false Jews) or external (there was no persecution, as in Smyrna and in Pergamum (Rev 2.13)), did not remain in communion with Jesus.

Three types of people were having in Sardis: 

 

·         Those who have died, but had a name that lived (Rev 3.1);

·         Those who were alive, but about to die (Rev 3.2). They were like that sleepy (Eph 5.14);

·         Those who were full of life (Rev 3.4).

 

We must not rest on our past. The Church lives of which Jesus speaks at the present.

As Jesus presents Himself?

·         These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars (Rev 3.1).

 

The seven spirits of God that are before the throne (Rev 4.1) are represented by:

 

·         Seven Eyes (Rev 5.6) that run through all the earth (Zech 3.9; 4.10);

·         Seven Lamps of fire (Rev 4.5).

 

The Son has the Spirit, not as someone who receives Him from the Father, but as someone who can embed Him to men.

To Sardis, who was dead (unable to spread the Word of the Eternal One so alive and fertile), Jesus shows Himself as:

 

·         He who has the seven Spirits of the Eternal One, i.e.:

o    That can resurrect the believers from death to life and lead them through all the land;

o   Jesus is the One who burns the dross and bring to light the hidden things (1 Corinthians 4.5);

·         He who has the seven stars, i.e., that holds in His power His messengers who agree to shine as lights in the world (Phil 2.14,15). Therefore, without being in the hands of Jesus, no one can do something that transmits life.

 

Sardis did many things (had appearance that lives), but no change brought to the place where they dwelt. To solve this problem of sterile work, Jesus shows Himself as the One who really reveals what is hidden in the hearts (1 Corinthians 14.24.25), having the power to burn all this garbage, shining forth new life (Romans 6.7; 1 Corinthians 15.17) and guiding those who believe through the world (Mark 15:16).

What qualities can be seen?

·         Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; (Rev 3.4).

 

While in Pergamum (Rev 2.14), and Thyatira (Rev 2.20) there were few bad among the good, in Sardis had a few good among the bad.

There was a small group of people who remained confident in the Eternal One and in That who He sent (John 6.28,29), so that their acts of justice were not contaminated (Isaiah 64.6) as happened with  high priest Joshua (Zechariah 3.1-3). They were perfect (Gen 17.15; Matt 5.48) and saints (1Peter 1:16), in so far as  they sought the righteousness that comes from on high by faith (Rom 9.32; 10.6).

We cannot contaminate our righteousness with the concepts, values, powers and authorities of this world.

What is the complaint of Jesus?

·         I have not found thy works perfect before God.  (Rev 3.2)

 

In Sardis things functioned like a programmed robot.

Sardis had nothing of the spirit of the two witnesses of Rev 11.10, which tormented those who dwell on the earth through their faithful witness (their presence was not seen by the world as a threat). Much less had the spirit of Christ who resisted unto blood striving against sin (Heb 12.3), coming to this to be crucified (Phil 2.5-8).

What is a dead work (or, if you prefer, imperfect, incomplete)? It is a barren work. Think of a barren tree. Even though she can grow and produce leaves, flowers and fruits, however if the fruits that it produces do not have seed, everything it does is restricted to itself. 

This is the commercial philosophy that filled the interior of Ha-Satan of violence (Ezek 28.16), namely: to concentrate resources in themselves in order to attract all to their round (as took place with Babylon). They ignore that the good gift comes from above (James 1.16,17).

The work of the Eternal One for the home is to generate a seed of godly (Malachi 2.15), that is: it’s no sufficient simply be pious; it is necessary to pass this quality to all those with whom we have contact. It is not enough to just help: we need to bring individuals to help themselves and the others.

The brothers of Sardis, although they did many works, although likely they preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 15:16), they could not transmit the essence of the gospel, i.e., the living Word of Christ. It is good to remember that true faith is from Christ (Eph 2.8.9; Gal 2,20), which has nothing to do with our fleshly nature (2Cor 5:16). Rather, they are done in the spirit of each one (2Cor 3.1-3) and moved by the truth (John 4.23,24).

What is the consequence of sin?

·         If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.  (Rev 3.3).

 

This warning is much mentioned in Holy Scripture:

 

·         "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh." (Matt 24.42-44);

·         "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not." (Luke 12.35-40);

·         "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape." (1Thess 5.2.3);

·         "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up." (2Pet 3:10);

·         "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame." (Rev 16.15).

 

It is good to note that Jesus promises come as a thief (and not as a burglar - Rev 16.15; Matt 24.43; Luke 12.39; 1Thess 5.2; 2Peter 3:10). In other words, the emphasis here is not on threatening those who are living apart from Christ, but rather in rid those who belong to the Eternal One. 

However, it’s good to note that Jesus comes as a thief from the point of view of who is not His. In fact, we are the thieves, unrighteous. However, in our view, Jesus has been the unjust judge (Luke 18.1-7) and the thief (see Psalms 50.9-12), because we refuse to accept the withdrawal of  anything without our consent (many times we are able to bring evil against others, either directly or through the hands of others).

Have you noticed how Jesus said that He would come to us while we were in this world (Matt 25.34-46)? It is always in the form of someone who came to request something from us (Matt 21.33,34). It may happen that Jesus come, for example, in the form of a bandit so that, through us, He can show His strength (2Chronicles 16.9).

So, if we like the brothers of Laodicea (who had no care for their brothers, didn't care about the reproach (Psalms 15.2) and the weakness of them (see Amos 6.3-6; Ezek 16.49; 2Cor 11.28.29; Romans 14.1; 15.1)) or those of Sardis (who were not able to communicate to future generations the fair nature of those who believe (Habakkuk 2.4; Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10.38; Prov 12.12), even if Jesus comes so predictable (full of signs like that to announce the coming of the King), we will not be able to discern the time in which we live (Luke 12.56).

But, what is surveillance? Is to watch what has been entrusted to us. 

What do we have to watch?

 

·       "And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately." (Luke 12.36).

 

What we watch about?

 

·         "Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." (Mark 13.33-37).

 

And how should we exercise the vigilance? We should be attentive to the work that  have been given to us, so that they will always remain alive.

But, what the surveillance has to do with being prepared? The issue is that the more we engage with something, but we are familiar with the same. For example: a person involved with medicine, to witness a traffic accident, will focus more the physical damage of the involved; now the police officer, their focus will be the traffic violations; the lawyer, the legal resources for each defend their rights; the mechanic, the severity of the damage on vehicles, as well as the estimate of the prejudice.

Likewise, those who are not familiar with the heavenly things will not be able to recognize Jesus, even if He manifest face to face (as was in Luke 24.15,16). The idea of surveillance is more and more adjust us with the values of the Kingdom of Heaven, so that when Jesus comes (in the figure of the friend annoying Luke 13:6-9), we recognize Him (Luke 19.44), and we can be prepared to be of Him (see 2 Tim 2.19-21).

What is promised to the faithful?

·         They shall walk with me in white robes, because they are worthy. (Rev 3.4)

 

Walk in white robes, something emphasized in Revelation (Revelation 3.18; 4.4; 6.17; 7.9,13,14, 19.14).

The soil robes represent the worldliness or the good works when done without integrity, i.e., with the character distorted and motivations that do not take into account the will and purpose of the Eternal One, i.e., that there aren’t holy, but only aim to personal interests.

As a man, Jesus received the white garments; as God, He gives them.

The words "walk with Me" implies in triumph, fellowship and progress. The fact that they walk with Jesus implies that they have the constant companionship of Christ giving life and freedom, a glory that is imperishable, but always triumphs gradually.

Also, the pure and undefiled religion consists in maintaining our garments uncontaminated, i.e., not allowing the world make us perverse individuals (namely, leading us to adopt its justice system as the way to solve problems).

And that they will have because of the merits of Christ in them (see Ezek 16.14; Rev 7.14), namely, by virtue of His justice manifests in their lives, whose grace has led them to love the neighbor as Jesus loved us (John 13.34,35).

But, what are these clothes? The righteous deeds of the saints (Rev 19.8). That is, those who believe are dressed based on what the individuals, with whom they associate, manifest about Christ and His Word in consequence of their ministry.

Note the similarity between what is promised to the winners and the dress of those who remained pure (Rev 3.4). Therefore, the white robes (as in Zechariah 3.3) prophetically  symbolize the glorified body that those who believe will receive (2Cor 5.1,4).

Who walks continually in victory, will  always be clothed in white garments, walking in the light (1John 1.7) and "drinking" the blood of the Lamb (John 6.51-57) (i.e., receiving His life inside them - Gal 2.20) until the day on which they will receive a body that enables them to experience the solid company of Jesus filling them with works of justice (something desired by Jesus - Luke 23.43; John 17.24).

Exhortation

·         Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die (Rev 3.2)

·         Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. (Rev 3.3)

 

Five orders of Jesus for His church: 

 

1)    Be watchful. 

 

Sardis fell because they don’t watched, i.e., no longer worrying about the health of the brothers, coming to run vain workloads and reasons for expulsion (as in Lam 2.14).

 

2)    Strengthen or consolidate what still lives. 

 

Note that, although they were dead, they should confirm what it was about to die. But how is it possible for a dead do anything? The idea is not that they would do things, but that they realize how powerless they were to do good things (Rom 3.11) and, thus, they seek the One who can grant life that restores and complete.

But after all, what was about to die? The works that they were doing. Instead of staying in listening to the voice of Jesus and following their guidelines, they were starting to do everything automatically, assuming no longer need to hear the voice of Jesus.

 

3)    Remember the way that you have received and heard:

 

·         "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:" (Col 2.6);

·         "Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." (1Thess 4.1);

·         "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you." (1 Cor 11.2);

 

The brothers of Sardis should remember:

 

·         The gifts and talents that they received, as well as the teachings that they heard;

·         How they received Jesus and heard His Word. This is not everything! They should also remember that they have received the Word of the Eternal One gladly, with an ardent and zealous heart, seen to be witnesses of the demonstration of spirit and power (1Cor 2.4,5).

 

As the Ephesians, the brothers of Sardis are reminded of the best condition from which they had retreated.

The few righteous who were in Sardis were as the righteous who had at the time of Noah and Sodom and Gomorrah. Even though they were living in the middle of the wicked, none of these were converted to the gospel (Ezek 14.14,16,18,20).

Many of them were perishing in faith, like many of those who were of the lineage of Enoch (at the time of the flood) or of which came with Lot in Sodom.

We must always bear in mind who is this Jesus in whom we believe, what is His will, which He has prepared for us and, especially, how we should receive this in our life. After all, the uniqueness of the call of Christ in our lives (see Psalms 25.14; Isaiah 65.1), as well as the fervor that we had when we received the good news (see Jer 2.2), it is not something trivial.

 

4)    Obey and keep (John 14.21,23);

 

·         "O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:" (1Tim 6.20);

·         "The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master." (Luke 6.40).

 

Note how the goal is not to invent things to do in favor of Jesus, but only follow Him (Matt 16.24; Luke 9.23; 15.20), even if it is in the middle of the wilderness (Jer 2.2).

It isn’t in vain that Paul says to Timothy to remember the good deposit (2Tim 1:14) that the Eternal One has placed in his heart (pantry - 1Cor 4.1,2; 1Pet 4:10). The brothers of Sardis were losing everything that the Eternal One had placed inside of them. This deposit (gifts, talents, Word, witness and, mainly, brothers in Christ) should not die, that is, stay as a lot of philosophy useless and without life.

 

5)    Repent

 

In other words, feel sorrow on account of the pleasures of the flesh (James 4.8,9), because it is the grief of face that the heart is best (Ecc 7.3). Only then whoever believes will be able to have a zeal for what is good. 

What is the reward to the winners?

·         He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (Rev 3.5).

 

Three rewards:

 

·         Be clothed in white garments:

 

That is to say, to be filled with the righteousness of Christ (which has nothing to do with the our filthy rags or the ones of the world - Isaiah 64.6), namely, being using by Jesus to manifest His grace in the lives of those that the Eternal One has placed on our lives.

A difference is desirable be made: the faithful have retained their white robes, i.e., remained in the righteousness of Christ while living in this sinful body. How they managed this? The winners are dressed every day in white garments (see Lam 3.22,23 - instead of always using the same garment, the Eternal One gives them each day a new dress) until the day on which they shall have a body incorruptible that naturally calls for the righteousness of Christ.

 

·         Not having the name scratched from the book that depicts the life of Jesus (who is the Resurrection and the Life - John 11.25):

 

See the importance of the book of life:

 

·         "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:20).

 

See other references about the book of life (Exodus 32.32,33; Psalms 69.28; Daniel 12.1; Luke 10.20; Phil 4.3; Rev 13.8; 17.8; 20.12,15; 21.27). 

For a group of converted sterile, is given to the winners the promise of having the names written in the book of life, i.e., to be used by Christ to make history in this world. Remember that He has the seven spirits of the Eternal One sent throughout the land.

To understand the importance of this, think: when someone stands out in football, their name is written as the king of football; when one stands out as mayor, his name shall be highlighted or reference to a place public. When someone stands out in the kingdom of heaven he becomes as stars in the sky (Daniel 12.3) and their name is registered as belonging to the business of the Father (Luke 2.49). Remember that Jesus is the One who has all the stars, i.e., without Him any brightness that comes from us and illusory and transitional (how happened with Moses - 2Cor 3:13).

Be erased from the book of life means that, many of which were used by Jesus, will not be remembered in His history of activity in this world (Ezek 3.20). In other words, the wonders that the Eternal One does through those who turn away from Him and His Word does not count for His glory.

The idea is the same that is when we watch a movie. There is the central character and the extras or characters that appear only once or twice for something so unique that almost nobody remembers it. When the individual denies the faith in Christ, he ceases to be a central character.

In the past, the name of each citizen of a given city was registered. When the same died, his name was erased. Many of Sardis, although still not had their names erased from the book of life (on the celestial city), were spiritually dead and soon their names would be erased definitively the Lamb's book of life. This also proves that it is possible the name of a believer be wiped off the book.

Note: the book of life may very well be illustrated by the record of the people in the covenant of law (see Is 4.3; Ezek 13.9).

 

·         Jesus promises to confess the name of the individual:

 

"Before the angels of God" (as in Luke 12.8,9) "in the face of my Father" (as in Matt 10.32,33). The difference is that, in this case, the expression "in heaven" is used to distinguish between those who are in heaven and those who are on earth. Already here in Revelation, there is no distinction, because the vision occurs in the heaven. 

But what is the importance of this? For someone to be recognized in a firm, the owner has to confirm his name among the list of officials. This gives him certain rights and duties (for example: the cooperation of other employees). 

To confess the name of the victorious before the angels, Jesus was saying that He would use them and that they would count on the cooperation of angels and of the Church. 

As for the angels it is a privilege to have access to the riches that are incomprehensible to Christ (1 Peter 1.12), to know of this, they start to have pleasure in being camped next to this person (Psalms 34.7). Such an individual begins to have spiritual authority (see Acts 19:13-16).

This also teaches us that, if nor the angels who are greater in power and wisdom dare say who is holy or convicted (see Jude 1.9), who are us to consider us able for this? Only the confession of Jesus is the guarantee of who we really are. After all, only in the hands of Jesus His disciples can be found and only He knows in who His seven spirits are acting.

This is the reason why, for Paul, it was little thing to be judged by a court:

 

·         "But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. " (1 Corinthians 4.3,4).

 

After all, what matters is what Jesus thinks about us.

We ought to emphasize that the expression "My God" (or my father, as shown here) appears five times in Revelation (once here and four times in Rev 3.12). Jesus uses this expression also in (John 20.17; Matt 13.55). The expression "before God" is common in the Revelation, in Luke and in the epistles of Paul (but does not occur in Matthew and Mark).

It comes the question: how important is it? Jesus make public the winner's name to whom the Father actually is (and not to whom the individuals think that the Father is). That is to say, this pledge implies being known by someone who really is the Father (and not by who we want that He be).

To sum up: for a group of brothers sterile, Jesus wants to have them in His hands so that they can receive their seven spirits who truly give a real life to who is humble to receive it and, in this way, they can manifest His righteousness in the lives of others and, with this, be used to confirm His Word to principalities and powers in heaven (Eph 3.10).

Identity

This group represents those who have been born again, but with the time cease to hear the voice of Jesus and commence to make more and more works for the Kingdom of Heaven, established only in their concepts and values.

To be clear: 

 

·         When a person sleeps, she is blind to everything that happens. not aware of anything;

·         When a person is numbed in all members, although they are aware to everything, cannot react to anything, but only sees things happen;

·         When someone dies, in addition to be completely off of this world, have no possibility of return.

 

All these people have one thing in common: they cannot retain all the favor they have received from the Eternal One. What they were going to lose, being stolen by the enemy of our souls, until nothing is left.

Unlike Pergamum (where many wanted to see just what they wanted and on their way) and Thyatira (where many saw the apostasy happens, they knew it was wrong, but did nothing because they liked the pleasures brought - as in 1Sam 1.29), Sardis had lost all the spirituality. They became purely carnal, without any connection with spiritual things. All worldliness became normal (only in Laodicea something similar happened).

Today, this group represents a part of the Church spread throughout that area feeding on negative information issued by the media, have lost hope of seeing the goodness of the Eternal One in the land of the living (Psalms 27.13,14), and for this reason, they attached themselves to the resources and powers of this world to fight evil, as if the Church of Christ were more a religion, philosophy of life or radical sect among so many.

Abstract

 

Letter to the Converted to Philadelphia (the weak in faith)

Characteristic

Philadelphia was named in honor of its founder (Attalus Philadelphus). It is the seventy-seven miles southwest of Sardis. It is the second largest city of Lydia.

Jesus uses in this letter three symbols that govern the entire message: 

 

·         An open door;

·         The Key of David;

·         Be a pillar in the temple of God. 

 

A house or building has these three elements. Jesus is the gate of the sanctuary of the Eternal One (John 10.9) that is opened by key that is in His hands.

As Jesus presents Himself?

·         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; (Rev 3.7)

 

First of all, we need to know what is the house of David:

 

·         "And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: but my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." (2Sam 7.12-16)

 

Considering that the only thing worthy of being eternal is that which belongs to the Creator One (Hc 3.6), so the house of David is the Creator One’s house (the Church). With respect to this key, it is appropriate to consider the prophecy about Eliakim:

 

·         "And it shall come to passin that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: and I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.  And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it. " (Isaiah 22.20-25).

 

Eliakim was used prophetically to illustrate the day that Jesus would lead in person His people. Initially, the first followers (Israelites) tried to throw over the Church all charge from the Testament of the Law. However, Jesus was crucified by means of the Law (Deut 21.23; Gal 3.13) so that this whole load of so-called Old Covenant loosed.

Today Jesus has the key of death and hell, as well as the key of the Church.

The key here is a symbol of control. That is to say, Jesus has control of all the house of David (the house is of Him). And as the door He opens no one closes (and vice versa), so no one else has this key. The key of the house of David is on the shoulders of Jesus, i.e., in the safest place that exists, where nobody could have access to steal (such safety is repeated in John 10.28,29). This was a cause for great joy for brothers and weak in faith (Romans 14.1; 15.1), because it was a sign that nobody could change their destiny.

It comes the question: what is the difference between this key and the key to the Kingdom of Heaven that Jesus gave to Peter?

 

·         "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Matt 16.18,19).

 

Jesus gave the keys of forgiveness and of the gospel to Peter so that he could connect individuals to each other in Christ and, thus, provide the building up of the Church. These two keys should connect the brothers well intentioned and switch off those who were in the Church thinking only of blessings selfish (the truth should be preached and forgiveness exercised to keep only what is of Jesus).

Jesus is the very key to the Church, the essence of forgiveness and of the Gospel, which must be kept at all costs, so that the whole gates of hell will not prevail within the Church by preventing the entry of what is of Christ or allowing the entry of what is not of His.

In spiritual and eternal things, if Jesus is not the key that opens and closes the door, certainly what is being saved is not something good. 

For a group of brothers weak in faith, Jesus presents Himself as being:

 

·         The holy. In the Testament of the Law, "the Holy" is a frequently name of the Eternal One (Job 6.10; Psalms 16.10; 89.18; 145.17; Isaiah 1.4; 5.9.24; 6.3; 10.7.20; 12.6; 30.11; 41.14.16,20; 47.4; 48.17; 49.7; 54.5; 55.5; Jeremiah 1.1-19; 51.5; Ezek 39.7; Hosea 11.9; Habakkuk 3.3; Mark 1.24; Luke 4.34; Acts 3.14; Rev 4.8; 6.10). That is to say., Jesus was the One who, although poor (see Phil 2.5-8), having no where to lay His head (Matt 8.20; Luke 9.58), yet He and His twelve apostles were able to live for almost four years without work and without yielding to the impositions of the system (as many do, claiming that, as they need to support their family, have to be so corrupt as their bosses).

·         The true (Rev 1.5; 3.14; 6.10; 15.3; 16.7; 19.2.11; 21.5; Matt 24.35; John 14.6; 1John 5.20 - in opposition to idols (2Cor 15.3; Psalms 31.5; Jer 10.10; 1Thess 1.9; 1John 5.20)). That is to say, even in the face of persecution, threats, torture and death, yet He kept the truth in His mouth and way of life. Not to mention the fact that Jesus is the only witness that portrays faithfully the Eternal One (in contrast with the trickster of Rev 3.9). 

·         What has the key of David. That is to say, the only one able to open the door of faith of hearts:

o   "And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles." (Acts 14:27).

o   "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries." (1Cor 16.9). 

o   "Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord," (2Cor 2:12).

o   "Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:" (Col 4.3).

That is to say, Jesus is the only really able to put individuals certain in our life, transforming hearts and withdraw from close to us those who have nothing to do with us and with the mission entrusted to us. In other words, we don't have to modify to be pleasing individuals (Jer 15.9).

 

For the converted from Philadelphia that are weak, the fact that only Christ can open or close the hearts of the people, deciding who goes in and who gets left out, it is great comfort. 

When we have contact with someone, four are the hypotheses:

 

       1st -  The person is being indifferent to us: we don't even remember her (lukewarm relationship);

     2nd -  We get good impression of them, but we lean them in the corner of the heart: we don’t despise them, but also we do not approach of them until we need them again  (likewarm relationship);

      3rd -  The person shall occupy a place of honor in our life, someone who really is part of our life (hot relationship);

      4th -  The person finishes doing part of our black list (cold relationship).

 

From the moment that Jesus allowed someone to come into our lives, we must take care to ensure that the individual does not accuse us before Jesus on the day of judgment (Matt 5.23-26; Luke 12.58,59). That is to say, the idea is that each one has, not only good feelings about us, but mostly good things to say about the base of our faith (1John 2.28; 1 Peter 2.12).

We cannot be allowing someone to continue hurting our hearts. It is a sign that there are individuals who have something against us. Have you ever thought                                                                                                                                                                   such a person having motive to accuse us on judgment day? The final destination is the lake of fire and brimstone, where we will have to pay for everything we have done against this person. 

The more evil a person does against the neighbor, more will receive torment of her (Matt 18.33-35). And as the worm that's inside of the aggressor never dies and the fire that is in the interior of the attacked one never goes out (see Ezek 28.18), the person will never be able to find peace.

Understand: for individuals weak in faith, the fact of Jesus be the opener of hearts, i.e., the One that unites individuals in order that they will find all the strength to suffer the truth and holiness of Christ, so as to remain in His love (John 15.9; Romans 11.22) is tremendously comforting, since it is guarantee of victory toward eternal life.

This, in the eyes of the world, it seems folly, because it emphasizes only the strong, agile and clever. However, Jesus does not require super-men, because it was never His intention that the man worked for Him (John 5.34.41; Acts 17.25). Rather, what Jesus wants is to strengthen His sons through His Spirit acting in life from each other.

Consider the case of Gideon (Judges 6.14,15). Although his family was poor in Manasseh and he the weaker, as the power of the Creator One is made perfect in weakness (2Cor 12.9,10), then he was the most suitable to be used to unite individuals toward victory (2 Cor 16.9) (after all, who have to grow is Jesus, and not man - John 3.30; 2Cor 4.7) (see Judges 7.2).

Lastly, while for the rich Laodicea Jesus was outside, for the poor Philadelphia the love of Jesus was always available. At Philadelphia Jesus had an open door and at Laodicea, the door was closed to Jesus.

What qualities can be seen?

·         thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Rev 3.8)

·         Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, (Rev 3.10)

 

The Philadelphia’s believers does not clung to the Sacred Scripture. They clung to the aspect of the gospel that reveals Jesus in the exercise of all His patience. Remember that Jesus endured everything for the love of the Father and for us (Rom 3.24-26; 1 Peter 2.21-24). 

Believe in Jesus and His Word until Ha-Satan believes and trembles (James 2.19). But the question is: "Take heed therefore how ye hear" (Luke 8.18). That is to say, we have to keep the Holy Scripture aiming the concept and vision correct. We must see Jesus and people in a spiritual way (2Cor 5:16), to understand His Word based on the concepts of the kingdom of heaven, and not from the point of view of the system that governs this world (1Cor 2.1-5).

What do you think that is to deny the name of Jesus? It is not simply ignore Him or speak evil of Him, but mainly to speak well of Him, but based on the things of this world (see Matt 16.22,23). The word to be stored is not persuasion based on human wisdom, as if the Eternal One had to adapt Himself to the crazy logic of this world (1 Corinthians 3.18-20). We should exalt Christ crucified (1 Cor 2.1,2), according to which the world with all its strength, justice, wisdom and resources have to be crucified unto us, and we unto the world.  (Gal 6.14).

We must praise the death of the Lord Jesus until He comes (1Cor  11.26), accepting:

 

·         Eat of the body of Christ, i.e., make of the sinners lost our food (Matt 9.12.13; Luke 15.3-10) . We must build our relationships, not on top of the qualities of others, but on the defects, sure:

o   To whom more is forgiven the greater is the ability to love (Luke 7.47), because instead of caring with the failures of them or our, we care about what Jesus wants to work on them.

o   The law came so that the offense would increase, but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound (Rom 5.20).

·         Drink the life of Christ, i.e., let Jesus live the life which He lived in this world inside us (Gal 2.20; 1Peter 2.21-24).

What is the complaint of Jesus?

·         For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Rev 3.8)

 

This may not seem defective. However, the conjunction "however" is implicit. This indicate that, if the term written in red is quality, then the term in green is a defect.

Furthermore, each one should:

 

·         Continue toward which is perfect (Phil 3.13,14);

·         Deepen their roots (Luke 8.13) to find the River of Living Water (Jer 17.7.8);

·         Build each other in the most holy faith (Jude 20) until they reach the unity of faith (Eph 4.11-14);

·         Hike from faith to faith (Romans 1.17), from glory to glory (2Cor 3.18), from Grace to Grace (John 1.16);

·         More and more progress (1Thess 4.1) in the love and in the fruit of the Holy Spirit (2Pet 1.5-8);

·         Have faith as a grain of mustard seed (Luke 17.6) which, although it is the smallest of the seed, becomes the greatest of vegetables (Matt 13.31.32);

·         Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5.18);

·         Be exercised in faith (1Pet 1.6.7) and in the word in order to be able to discern both good and evil (Heb 5.12-14).

 

In other words, they were like that fig tree in the parable (Luke 13:6-9) which had not been fertilized right. Although this did not give fruit, as it was possible to see in Philadelphia, for sure they had a potential much higher for the well.

Notice how Jesus had put a opened door for them. However, whereas soon after Jesus quotes the little strength, just gives the impression that they were not able to enter through this narrow door and walk along this squeezed path. They were fighting by entering through the door (Luke 13.23), since they were guarding the word of Jesus and were not denying His name. However, they were using the excuse that the flesh is weak to justify their unwillingness to overcome sin.

What is the consequence of sin?

·         that no man take thy crown.  (Rev 3.11).

 

Who doesn't want to lose the privilege of crown the King of kings (as the 24 elders - Rev 4.10,11), giving Him the power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and thanksgiving (Rev 5.12) should never surrender to evil. The evil only wins the Favor of Christ when he who has give in to badness (Prov 28.4).

Be weak is no excuse for the spiritual neglect. This is what the citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven in the parable has argued (Matt 25.24,25; Luke 19.20,21). He knew the Lord had received something from Him, but still preferred to neglect His gift as if it were something common (see Malachi 1.12; Acts 10.15).

That is to say, the weakness should not be worshipped, nor can it be used as an excuse. 

Someone could argue that the power of the Eternal One is made perfect in weakness (2Cor 12.9,10). This, however, means that we must be grateful to the Eternal One by our inability to solve, for our own account, the hardship, since they are that allow Jesus to show us His virtue.

However,  we should never conform with weakness of will or character, because it robs us all necessary vitality so that people can enjoy the fullness of the Holy Spirit through us.

Despite the intensity of the struggle and of the fact that they do not have the conditions to do anything to save themselves (their little strength also implies this), they should not give up on Christ, but remain trusting in Him and in His Word.

Therefore, when I say "hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown", Jesus was speaking of the possibility of losing the reward (individuals, which are our crown - 1Thes 2.19) and, of course, the salvation, since nobody can appear before the Creator One of empty hands (see Exodus 23.15; 34.20; Deut 16.16). 

Jesus will be crowned by us for the love with which we love one another (John 13.34.35; 17.11,21-23).

What is promised to the faithful?

·         behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it (Rev 3.8);

·         Behold, I will make them of the synagogue 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. (Rev 3.9);

·         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. (Rev 3.10);

·         I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.  (Rev 3:11)

 

Those who are of the synagogue of Ha-Satan are judaizer Christians or persecutor Jews?

It is the Jews who, although boast themselves being Jews, not behaved as such (Rom 2.28,29).

Note that Jesus does not promise the brothers of Smyrna that the members of synagogue of Ha-Satan would go to worship prostrated at the feet of them. This promise was given to Philadelphia in virtue of spiritual weakness of them. Unfortunately, they needed to make sure that Jesus was close to them, as well as of His love for them. 

Thus, the fact of Jesus leads the synagogue of Ha-Satan worship at the feet of the brothers of Philadelphia was a form of witnessing His presence among them. Note that who is worshiped is Jesus because His love uniting the brothers of Philadelphia.

These of the synagogue of Ha-Satan experience within themselves the love of Jesus by the brothers of Philadelphia, and, then, go to worship the Eternal One along with them.

Note how this promise is much more excellent than it was in the Testament of the Law (Isaiah 45.14):

 

·      "And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me." (Isaiah 49.23);

·      "The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 60.14).

 

The curious thing is that these passages were promises to the Jews, and here Jesus says that is not the Church that will bend to Judaism, but this that will bow down before it.

For the brothers who keep the Word of the patience of Christ, He promises to deliver them “in the time of temptation" which shall come upon the whole world.

May not be "trial" because never the whole world will be proved by the Creator One. After all, it makes no sense to prove someone who has nothing to do with the realm of the Eternal One.

May not be "tribulation" because the gospel, which is the Word that shows the patience of Jesus, at any moment portrays Jesus having patience in some trouble. After all, tribulation is a result of human sin and Jesus had no sin.

Nor can it be "from the hour of temptation" because all are urged not to allow themselves to be deceived by antichrist (Matt 24.4). This means that the whole Church enters the 70th week of Daniel. However, at this time where the antichrist will try all mankind with his signs and wonders of falsehood (2Thess 2.10-12), Jesus promises to reveal the truth so clearly to those that, although they are going through hard times, yet do not give in to the temptation, but remain waiting with patience in the Eternal One (Psalms 40.1). As they do not want misleading solutions, Jesus did not let them be deceived.

Note how the weakness of faith is not an excuse to deny Jesus and His name or to neglect his word. Who keeps the word of correct mode and remained confessing the name of Jesus will receive the assistance needed to overcome even the greatest temptations and, in the end, have faith strengthened. 

The idea is to teach us that, instead of suffering in order to win or keep appointments and facilities, we must suffer for love of Jesus and His name.

It is in vain that the Creator One has placed an open door precisely in the lives of those who have little strength. After all, for who is weak, nothing more suitable than exercising the faith through the narrow door and by the tight way. It is clear that the synagogue of Ha-Satan does not want to, in any way, that these brothers go through this door and, therefore, do everything they can to close it, i.e., to make us give up those pearls that are really for us (see Matt 7.6).

However, as the door that Jesus opens no one closes, we only will not win the hearts of those that the Eternal One gave us if we give up them. After all, Jesus has the key to salvation. 

It is clear that, for those who try to seek Christ based on precepts of flesh, may seem more appropriate to believe that the key is in the hands of a human being (to get an excuse if they fail in their mission).

But that door is this? As already seen, are those who belong to Jesus and the Eternal One gave us. Try to enter when the doors are closed is rebellion. Leave to enter when they are open is foolishness.

But, what excuse the brothers of Philadelphia could fix for not wanting to go through the open door?

 

a)    Their weakness (Rev 3.8). 

b)    The opposition of enemies as the false Jews (Rev 3.9)

c)    The threat of future temptation (Rev 3.10)

 

In compensation, what Jesus promises?

 

·         Nobody has the strength to close the door which I have set before thee (Rev 3.8). When the Eternal One age (Isaiah 43.13), no plan can be thwarted (Job 42.2). If the Creator is for us, who can be against us (Rom 8.31)?

·         The members of synagogue of Ha-Satan will bow at your feet (Rev 3.9). No matter how strong they seem to be, at the end will have to bow (Rom 14.11);

·         I love you (Rev 3.9). Therefore, we won’t stay comfortless (John 14.18), but He will be with us every day until the end of time (Matt 28.20).

·         Keep thee at the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world (Rev 3.10). This hour will reach only those who dwell on the earth (this term refers to those who refused to accept Christ and His life style - see also Rev 6.10; 8.13; 11.10; 13.8,12,14; 17.2,8). Those who are seated in heavenly places (Eph 1.3; 2.6) no harm will experience;

·         I come without delay (Rev 3.11). That is to say, the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which in us the Creator One wants to reveal (Rom 8.18; 2Cor 4.16). Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalms 30.5). Only these brothers Jesus promises to return. Therefore, they waited Him with anxiety (which shows that the tribulation that they were passing was intense).

Exhortation

·         hold that fast which thou hast (Rev 3.11).

 

We don't need to invent anything, but only to keep what we have. The more people try to find a better way that the path of Eternal One, the worse is. Unfortunately, nobody takes Jesus seriously:

 

·         " Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.." (John 15.20);

·         "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known." (Matt 10.24-26);

·         " Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." (John 14.12).

 

The majority of the followers of Christ want to be better than Him, as if the Almighty had created humanity to take a holiday or use those who would believe in Him to show and encourage people to abandon their fleshly desires only to fulfill their whims.

Although it is true that all of us should do to die our earthly nature (Col 3.1.2), the reason for this is not complying with rules or do things, but eliminate from our life everything that can distract us with regard to people, so that we can be the gift of the Creator One in their lives (Psalms 68.18; Eph 4.8).

It is very likely that, like today, many were thinking that the problem was in fact they do not have the resources to combat the world on an equal footing. However, what nobody thinks is: why would anyone want to take our crown? Surely is not to be able to use it, since it is personal and not transferable. Not to mention that there isn’t a crown that gives authority to someone. Rather, it is the confirmation of an authority gained.

And so they did not have the crown taken, they had to save what they had. And what is that they should have to be saved? The word of the patience of Christ.

Jesus and His body is our target. If we renounce to the principles of Holy Scripture, everything that Jesus is becomes meaningless. They cannot make a difference in the lives of those who believe.

What is the reward to the winners?

·         Him 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. (Rev 3.12).

 

A pillar in the temple - they resemble the beautiful columns of the temple of Solomon, namely, Jachin (he (or it) will establish) and Boaz (“in Him is strength”). What does mean this promise inasmuch as there will be no temple in the New Jerusalem, because, in it, there is no distinction between holy and profane (our life is to be sacred - 1Cor 3:16)?

Peter, James and John were regarded as pillars of the Church (Gal 2.9). The column serves to sustain, decorate and be used as a reference. As columns, those of us who believe they are a support to preserve the truth in the New Jerusalem (1Tim 3:15) in a straight, firm, constant and unwavering mode, both in heart and in the words and attitudes in order to strengthen the weak in faith.

This seems a paradox! As someone with faith so fragile can serve, for example, of support? However, unlike the world, where every one has to get in the way of the system (see Rom 12.2) to be something (because the world does not want to invest in humans, but in the machines that move the system) in the realm of the Eternal One He chooses those through which He can operate without reservations. After all, for a feeble withstand the weight of a building, only by virtue of the Eternal One. 

To illustrate this:

 

·         When the widow of Zarephath met herself before a terrible drought, with only a little bit of olive oil and flour, instead of sending someone to give her water or basic food basket, He sent a hungry;

·         When the widow of 2Kings 4.1-7 was alone with a bit of olive oil and on the verge of losing their children, instead of the Eternal One send someone to pay the debt of the widow, He ordered that she sought more empty containers to be filled with this little bit of olive oil.

 

This is to teach us that His goal is not to build solid things through individuals perfect, but through weak and limited individuals, full of shortcomings in order to make clear the excellence of His virtue.

Many do not have the answer to their prayers because they seek in the Eternal One are independent of Him. Ask bread to load it into the chambers and, thus, eat it selfishly; ask for power to be able to play all to themselves; enter the presence of the Eternal One, worship Him for a moment to receive and, then, leave to spend and are wasting enormous in your paradise.

The correct is stay close to Christ and remain there in order to be free of sin and, of course, of everything that separates us from Him (Isaiah 59.1,2). These ones love be with Jesus (Psalm 37.4) and only leave when sent by Him to the valley of the shadow of death to redeem the lost ones (Psalms 23.4; Isaiah 9.1.2; Matt 4.15,16), and then enjoy the happiness in His presence.

Considering that each one who believes in Jesus is the temple of the Eternal One (1 Corinthians 3.16; 6.19; 2Cor 6:16), our role is to support the life of the Church that is being built within the neighbor (Eph 4.2; Col 3:13). But how to serve to support this New Jerusalem which is being built inside?

Unlike the world, where the comfort and support (active) given to someone is passive, the consolation (2Cor 1.3-6) and support of the Eternal One is something active. In other words, when the Holy Scripture says that it is for we carry one another's burdens (Gal 6.2), this does not mean load individuals on our shores, but serve as a stimulus in their lives to practice as well. The idea is that our presence give them the resources and the necessary stimulus to the effective exercise of life and godliness (2Pet 1:3).

But for this we need to see the brother as the temple of the god of Jesus, i.e., it is not the God that we want it to be, but who He really is.

Those that overcomes, i.e. have the patience that Christ had to deal with the neighbor, will remain forever in the lives of those that the Eternal One gave them.

And for that the brother be sure that they are getting the right column in their life (despite the same be weak and does not appear to be a good reference), the Eternal One seals the individual with:

 

·         The name of the God of Jesus (the name of the Father). The true identity of the unique God;

·         The name of the city of the God of Jesus (the Church, the New Jerusalem, our mother - Gal 4.26; Matt 12.48-50). The identity of the city which is used for the Eternal One to make us His children (John 1.12).

The term New Jerusalem implies that, not only is new, but different, surpassing the old Jerusalem and its policy.

The New Jerusalem is called:

o    the great and holy (Rev 21.10), by John

o    the holy city (Matt 4.5), by Matthew

o    Jerusalem which is above (Gal 4.6), by Paul

o    the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12.22), by the writer of Hebrews,

She descends from heaven, i.e., it is not of this world. She will be snatched from three and a half days after the first half of the seventieth week and will remain there until the occasion of final judgment.

·         The new name of Christ (the name of our brother, the essence of what comes to be the perfect citizen in the heavenly city). After the final judgment, Jesus will not have more than redeem their disciples, since all have been freed from the body of sin and there will be no more doubts about the need for Jesus and His Word to make things work. Jesus, then, will deliver the entire domain to the Father (1Cor 15:28) and will carry out a new role in the lives of those who shall be heirs of salvation (2Cor 5:17). 

Jesus promised to choose His new name in the life of the winners who were praised precisely because they don’t deny His name.

 

That is to say, behold what was being record on the winner:

 

Creator One’s name	The owner e Lord to whom the winner will have to account
The name of the city of the Creator One.	The place where the winner ought to stay.
The name of the perfect citizen (Jesus)	The role of the winner

 

There is a doubt: how many names will be written on the individual?

 

o   A new name (which contains the three);

o   A new name that represents the three or

o   Three names?

 

I believe that is the second hypothesis.

In any case, these names show how is identified, he that believeth in Jesus, namely, on the basis of the heavenly family. That is to say, we are generated by the Creator One within the Church to be His children, free from everything that prevents us from expressing His image and likeness.

This is the identity of the winner, which ensures that we are on a right mission.

When someone comes to the Church, he is registered with a name (the name of Jesus) that represents the three roles that the Eternal One manifested in the history of the universe:

 

·         as Father He created all things;

·         as Son He, in person, obeyed all that He established;

·         as Holy Spirit, He makes His Word works in every human being that this allows.

 

However, the daily victory for those who believe allows the writing on it of a name more precise, which identifies them with their mission in life of the brothers. When born again, the individual commence to believe in Jesus and to serve in the Church in a flesh mode (the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - 2Cor 5:16); when they mature, become the property of the Bride of Christ and to see Jesus and the Bride in a spiritual way (new name).

The idea of this name is to confirm that we belong forever to the Creator One (we are the exclusive property of Him - 1Pet 2.9), to Christ and to His people. Detail: Christ refers Himself to God as His God, which teaches us that God only is our God because, first of all, everything is of Jesus and we belong to Him.

This reminds the blade of pure gold that stood in front of the mitre of the High Priest (Exodus 28.36-38). It was written "holiness to the Lord", as that bearing witness to all that it should be for the exclusive use of the Eternal One, and should never be looked for any other proposal. The same will happen in the millennium:

 

·      “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16.18);

·      " And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads." (Rev 14:1);

·      "And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." (Rev 20.4).

 

As He promised once:

 

·      "Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off." (Isaiah 56.5);

·      "And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name." (Isaiah 62.2).

 

As Ha-Satan always tries to dissimulate that the Eternal One does:

 

·         The beast (Rev 13.16,17) will establish your brand in their followers;

·          Babylon the Great will have a name written on her forehead (Rev 17.5).

 

In order to you understand the importance of this promise, see what is said to Daniel: "… and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.” (Dan 12.1). The people of Daniel is everyone who is found written in the book of life, namely, the true Israel, composed of Jews and Gentiles who, in spirit and in truth, worship the Creator One (John 4.23,24).

Due to the weakness of the brothers of Philadelphia, nothing more suitable than receive the promise to be a pillar in the temple of God (Rev 3.12). Being the column that holds the shrine, this confirms that the Eternal One was making them firm and strong before Him (Eph 5.25-27). 

Identity

This group represents the weak in faith (Romans 14.1; 15.1). It is individuals who, although sincere, not research the Holy Scripture. Live only in the superficiality (see Jer 17.5-9). Such individuals, although take heed the Word of Christ, are not able to keep it firm in the midst of circumstances that are living. The conviction of truth is not yet large enough to pass through the gates that Jesus opened in their lives (individuals who are open to the Gospel). They still cling to the circumstances brought to them.

That is to say, their faith is not enough to get in by these difficult lives to live together and walk in the midst of tightened circumstances in which they find themselves (Matt 7.13,14) with a view to confirm the Word of the Eternal One.

Although take heed the word of patience of Jesus and not deny His name, yet make a tremendous effort to keep everything they received from Jesus. For they, the methods of Jesus are not sufficient. It is necessary the world's resources for the success of the gospel.

These brothers do not have a mature faith, which deepened the roots enough to find the River of Life and no longer be subject to the troubles of this world (Psalms 1.1-3; Jer 17.6,7). Are not as superficial as the seed which fell on stony ground (Matt 13.5,6,20,21), but need a word of encouragement given by the mouth of the Lord, lest lose the crown (Rev 3.11).

They couldn't see the word of the Eternal One as something alive that produces in our heart the action desired by the Eternal One (unless that we resist to it). That is to say, when the individual reads the Holy Scripture without the Holy Spirit, its law will kill everything that is good in their life (2Cor 3:6). When, however, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks His Word in the person's life, His grace begins to work in their innermost.

Abstract

In relation to the house of the Lord, let us look at what Jesus does:

 

1.    It is only through Christ that someone is admitted in the house of David, i.e., in the Church. Although there is an external organization that insists on name itself church (in fact they are religious institutions), the true Church is invisible, built internally in the hearts of those who believe.

It is clear that, in each group of brothers (oholyao), there are imperfections: there will always be a Jonah in each ship, a Achan in each camp or a Judas in each group of disciples. And there are no laws and rules that is capable of making pure a group (see Ephesians 2.8,9). However, if in human organizations there is always dirt, in the true Church only comes in through Christ, being impossible to deny or question the authenticity of such membership.

2.    Jesus gives the gifts and talents needed for service in the Church (Eph 4.7-13; Rom 12.6-8; 1 Corinthians 12.4-11; 1 Peter 4.10,11), as well as workers for the exercise of the ministry (1 Cor 3.10,22).

3.    Christ opens the door for the preaching of the gospel in the hearts (see Acts 16.9.10; 18.9-11). 

4.    Christ wants His servants to be responsive to Him alone (Matt 25:14-30; Romans 14.10-12; 1Cor 4.1-5), in His sole control (Luke 14.33), in full fidelity (Luke 16.10; 1 Corinthians 4.2; Rev 2.10).

5.    He points to the discipline to be applied to the oholyao (see 1 Corinthians 12.23,24), which should never be seen as an instrument of revenge and childhood (see 1 Corinthians 5.1-13; Matt 16.19; 18.17-20; 1Tim 4:1-16; 1 Tim 1.19,20).

6.    Jesus points to reward each one here and in eternity, based on three principles: proportionality, grace and fairness, love involved when performing each service (Matt 5.19; 25.1-46; 19.27-20.16).

7.    Jesus continues to maintain His disciples in His hands, even after His departure in this world (Matt 16.18; Romans 14.8; 1Thess 5.10; Rev 1.18).

8.    When Jesus comes in glory, He will manifest Himself also in those who are of His (Col 3.4).