November 1, 2002 (45)
THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA. Known as the church of brotherly love. The love indicated in the name Philadelphia comes from a root meaning, love of a friend, fraternal affection, human, natural love. The love of God is agape love which is far greater. Love, as only the Lord can love. The Lord would reveal Himself to His church as:
HE THAT IS HOLY. All that the word HOLY can be made to imply describes His being and make-up. He is the personification of all that can be constituted as HOLY. When unclean spirits confronted Jesus they were forced to cry out and acknowledge Him as the < Holy One of God >. So great and forceful is He as being the HOLY ONE that unrighteousness and evil could not stand an encounter with Him. Mark 1:24 The completeness of His HOLINESS is so overwhelming and comprehensive that when He judges and avenges, it is still an act of Holiness and justice. Rev. 6:10 Because He is HOLY, He is the only HIGH PRIEST. None other could by any means fulfill the necessary qualifications. As the Holy One He has offered to God the perfect sacrifice. Satisfying forever the demands of a Holy and Just God for a righteous and full atonement. Heb. 7:26-27
HE IS TRUE. There is no greater example of that which is true. All that is true is to be found in the Lord Jesus. The word is also translated <freeman>. There is none who are as free as Christ and those who put their trust in Him. 1 Cor. 7:22 He is likewise entitled, the faithful and true witness. Rev. 3:14Any verdict or judgment made by Him is a decision that is faultless and irreproachable, for it is just and true. It will not be reviewed nor altered. It is final and eternal. Rev. 16:7 His Words are true and cannot fail. Rev. 21:5-6
HE POSSESSES THE KEY OF DAVID. The ability to have complete control over all those that are permitted to have access and egress to pass through the door. Only through Jesus, who is the door and holds the key may any gain entrance into the eternal, everlasting kingdom of God. Full authority to open or shut is in the power of His hands. Rev. 3:7 No one will ever be able to force the lock or achieve entrance in some other manner. Isa. 22:22 Not only does He hold the key of David but also the keys of hell and death. There is no area of life, death or eternity known to man and to God that is not under His command. Rev. 1:18 The church built on the rock Christ Jesus, will be granted the keys to the kingdom of God. Accompanying the keys is the undiminished power and supremacy of that kingdom which has been delegated to the people of the kingdom. The same ability to bind and loose, to close and shut, which will evoke the exact response in heaven, has been gifted to the church of the Lord Jesus. Mt. 16:19 The church is His representative here on earth and must demonstrate the same capabilities that were manifest in Him. The workings of His kingdom can only be made known by the might and power of a people who are filled with His Spirit. The Spirit is our empowerment, His name is our authority, His Word instructs us and encourages us to be like Him, in all things.