ESOCS Devotional 11 May 2025: The Church in Philadelphia

ESOCS Devotional 11 May 2025 – The Church in Philadelphia

MEMORY VERSE: “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.” Revelation 3:7

TEXT: REVELATION 3:7-14

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: ⁸ “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ⁹ 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 know that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. ¹¹ Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. ¹² He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

¹³ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:

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The Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church through Apostle John was passing messages to churches in different locations. These messages were sent directly to the angels of the various churches. These angels are translated as messengers or divine messengers in other Bible translations. In our text, it was the turn of the Church in Philadelphia to receive their message. This church holds many instructive examples and lessons for us to learn from.

1. Actively working for the Lord. In verse 8, the Lord told them, “I know thy works.” This means they were actively serving and I believe according to the will of God. This is because in Chapter 3:2 the Lord told the church in Sardis that He had not found their work perfect before Him. This goes to show within this context that if the work is in line with the will of God and pleases Him, He commends it; otherwise, He condemns it. Even when they had little strength, the Lord did not still condemn them. This may also show that their heart was right before. This proves the next one.
2. Faithful unto God. The Lord told them that in their little strength they kept His word and never denied His Name. It’s amazing how we fail God in the face of oppositions, challenges and corrupting influences proffering flimsy excuses why we fail. It may not be clear what this strength may represent or mean – spiritual, economic, political etc. They kept the integrity of God’s word. Anyone that associated with them was not in doubt where they belonged. They didn’t deny God’s Name. They patiently endured persecution. They didn’t change their messages to appeal to the masses and appear popular; no, they remained faithful unto the truth of God’s word with patience.
3. They were worthy of emulation. The Lord told them to hold onto strongly that which they have. And they were already assigned crowns. However, the Lord made it clear that the crown can be taken. Like this church in Philadelphia, every church with their churches should strive know the will of God from His word, align to the will of God and remain faithful in carrying out the will of God.

CHALLENGES

• If you are an angel of the Lord, that is a Pastor, Elder in Charge, General Overseer, etc., are you leading your congregation faithfully in the will of God. Members of the congregation, are you praying for the angel of your church to lead you faithfully in God’s will?

PRAYER POINT

• Father, give me grace to serve you faithfully in spite of any form of oppositions and evil.

FURTHER READING:  1 Samuel 1:18-28; 2: 1-24; Revelation 3:15-22

ESOCS Devotional 11 May 2025