February 20, 2022
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20
The “Great Commission” is a clear directive for the church. The fact that the church at Philadelphia received no rebuke whatsoever but only praise and commendation indicates that their love for Jesus and their fellow man translated into loyal obedience regarding the Great Commission. They pleased Him who knows all and sees all. “I know your works.” Jesus gave assurance that He has the power to hold doors open, even when others are trying to close them.
“Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet , and to acknowledge that I have loved you.” Revelation 3:9
Remember that the term Jews is meant (originally) to refer to the people of God. Our crafty enemy coopts many Biblical terms for the purpose of counterfeiting and deceiving. We have seen repeatedly that those who truly please the Lord are the targets of criticism and persecution by those who presumptuously think of themselves as God’s people. The statements of Jesus implicitly inform us that He knows of the abuse inflicted upon His loyal and obedient followers by those who profess falsely to love God.
Philadelphia, the city of “brotherly love,” was the youngest city of the seven stops on the mail route of Asia Minor in the 1st century AD. It was established on a high volcanic plateau among mountains by Attalus II, brother of Eumenes II, king of Pergamum. Attalus, who named the city for his beloved brother, served him well as his army general. His popularity as a general provided him with numerous opportunities to overthrow his brother the king, but out of love and respect for his brother, he instead viewed these as opportunities to exercise loyalty and restraint, continuing in faithful service to Eumenes.
Only after the death of Eumenes did Attalus ascend the throne. His purpose in establishing the city had been to promote the Greek language and culture in the regions of Lydia and Phrygia. In retrospect, we can see God’s greater purpose: to spread the Good News of His love. The Septuagint (the Old Testament translated into the Greek language) contained God’s dealings with His people from the beginning of earth’s history. Priceless and precious lessons indeed!
And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Luke 24:27