Scripture to Read: Revelation 3:9
As we continue to unpack Revelation 3:7-13, we need to know that the Believers in Philadelphia had encountered hardships for living out their faith. Jesus spoke of the people in Philadelphia who persecuted the Christians during that period. Jesus said, “Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.” Jesus said very similar words in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” The good news, though, is that Jesus promised that He would declare His people innocent. Jesus also said that He would make sure that those who persecuted His children would recognize that they were wrong and that Jesus alone is Lord. We see this in Isaiah 45:23,“ I have sworn by Myself, the word has gone forth from My mouth in righteousness and will not turn back, that to Me every knee will bow, every tongue will swear allegiance.” Our Lord also declared it in Romans 14:11, For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall give praise to God.” It is awesome to know that we belong to Him.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about how the world will treat you and about who you are in Christ?
2. How are you letting the peace of Christ rule in your heart (Colossians 3:15) as you live in this hate-filled world?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!