February 21, 2022

Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Holiness and truth were highly esteemed and desired by the Philadelphia church. Therefore, the Lord’s identification of Himself as holy and true (Revelation 3:7) resonated well with them. The church at Philadelphia—a church pleasing to the Lord—is worthy of our close attention and study. Though Jesus pointed out that they had “little strength,” referring to their small number and their spiritual weakness, they worked together in true brotherly love to spur each other on to spiritual growth. They know their weakness, but they are committed to continue moving from glory to glory on their journey toward spiritual maturity. With Jesus — under the guidance of His Holy Spirit — their weakness became strength (see 2 Corinthians 12:10 and Hebrews 11:34).

The relative youngness of the city of Philadelphia parallels the childlike faith of the young church. Though they certainly do not claim to have “arrived,” they are pure in heart. Oh, to love Jesus with the uncorrupted heart of a child! Yes, to such a one belongs the Kingdom of God!

This letter is second-to-last in the stream of time for the churches. It contains no rebuke whatsoever. The other letter containing no rebuke is the letter to Smyrna, the ‘second-to-first’ in the lineup. This will become more significant as the last days rapidly approach. We are implicitly informed that earth’s last days will be characterized by unbrotherly professed believers in vastly greater numbers whose combined power will attempt to close the door of evangelism and block the last-day message of this small and young church. But Jesus reminds us of His divine power to hold the door to heaven open to all who come to Him in spirit and in truth while closing it to the large and powerful whose pride lies in sheer numbers and human power.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:2-6