PHILADELPHIA The Comforts Revelation 3v8-11.
"Comfort of all my earthly way, Jesus I'll meet Thee some sweet day,
Centre of glory Thee I'll see, wonderful Man of Calvary."
These words from the hymn "Man of Calvary" perfectly sum up the portion here. By the repeated use of the word "behold," the Lord is drawing their eyes away from their earthly situation, to fix them firmly on Himself. They lived in the midst of turmoil, both physically and spiritually. Legend has it that the city was prone to regular earthquakes; it was also the missionary centre of Hellenist culture which was largely opposed to Christianity. The encouragement to them "behold...... behold......behold.....behold....." is reminiscent of Isaiah chapter 40, where the people were in a confused and shaken state, the message was "behold your God." This is the same chapter which begins with the words "comfort ye, comfort ye my people." What God's people need most in their earthly pilgrimage is a clear vision of the greatness of their God. He enumerates three divine blessings that would come their way; predominantly these are future and the suggestion was to allow the future glories to regulate their present situation down here.
- Firstly He speaks of Divine assurance and protection - "Behold I have set before you an open door and no man can shut it." Just as Philadelphia was a gateway to Asia in trading terms, so it would become in spiritual terms. The Lord who had the key to open doors, has opened a door to them that would bolster their strength both numerically and spiritually. He says "no one can shut it." What confidence! It was similar for Paul in (1st Corinthians 16v9) "a great door and effectual has opened up to me." Also in Acts chapter 18 at Corinth where God said "Fear not for I have much people in this city." The Lord would smooth the way before them and clear away all barriers. As much as the Jewish synagogue of Satan would try to hinder them, they would by His grace and sovereign power proclaim the truth and the holiness and the sovereignty of God.
- Secondly, He now speaks of Divine vindication - "Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan..... to come and worship before Thy feet, and to know that I have loved Thee." All those who mocked them, ridiculed them, persecuted them, will be brought by Christ before them, when He will vindicate their loyalty. This amazing promise is clearly future and is first stated in (Isaiah chapter 60v14) " The sons also of them that afflicted thee, shall come bending unto thee, and all that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the souls of thy feet: and they shall call thee "The city of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel." A similar thing is predicted in (Isaiah 49v23) "Kings shall be their nursing fathers and queens shall be their 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." The day of vindication is coming; vindication of our Lord before this world, and the same for all His people. All who were mocked and misunderstood and molested here will be vindicated in glory. The early story of Joseph becoming vice-regent of Egypt and his brothers who had violated him, bowing down to him, is the earliest picture of this. Speaking to them he goes on to proclaim a most precious thing that He would spare them (and we think all in the Church) from the day of the great tribulation. Notice He says that not only would He deliver them from trials but He would deliver them from "the hour of temptation that will come upon all that dwell upon the earth," a specific time period of trial. Clearly this can only refer to the global period of extreme tribulation which is revealed later in chapters 6 - 19. The Christian church will not go through that.
- Thirdly, our destiny is glorification - "Behold I come quickly." The whole of the book of Revelation is taken up with the coming of Christ. Chapter 1v7 ; chapter 3v11, chapter 22v7,12 & 24 all assert this. The last words of the book are "even so come Lord Jesus." The reference here is clearly to the secret rapture of the church, the "harpazo," the bodily removal of the church from the earth before the day of the Lord. The word "quickly" refers more to the speed of the actual event, than to its nearness in time. Paul said it would happen " in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye" the word is "atomos" for atom, the smallest particle known to man. In the smallest possible time period, millions of believers will rise from the dead and millions alive will be changed and immediately transported to heaven. It will take place "like a thief in the night," unexpectedly and unannounced. In contrast to this His second advent to the earth (chapter 19) will be visible to all, will be preceded by signs in the heavens and will be accompanied by "the armies of heaven." We should recognize these very clear distinctions the Holy Spirit has made: His coming to the air and His coming to the earth: His coming in secret and His coming in public: His coming for His bride in grace and His coming in judgement to subdue His enemies: His coming for His people and His coming with His people. There is a body of saints who will be delivered from the tribulation whereas others (as in chapter 7v4) will be asked to go through it. Paul ends his treatment of this great subject like this "wherefore comfort one another with these words."
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