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Chosen no: R-504 a, from: 1883 Year. |
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The Seven Churches.
PHILADELPHIA.--REV. 3:7-13.
"To the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia write."
The
meaning of this name is well known--"Love of a brother." This stage in the church's history evidently began at the great
Reformation; and there are many still living who possess the characteristics
described.
We may understand the message better if we recall the condition of Rome
when the Reformation began. She claimed to be the only holy and true. She
claimed to have the sure mercies of David, the throne of the kingdom of the
Lord; with power to bind or loose; to open or shut the gates of heaven; to be
the only true synagogue; the only true recipient of the favor and love of God;
to be the city of God; the only one having a right to bear his name. "These
things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David,
he that openeth, and no man shall shut; and shutteth, and no man shall
open."
He who speaks has not given his prerogatives to fallible men. He lent
the keys to Peter to open the doors to both Jew and Gentile. Peter preached the
opening sermon to the Jew on Pentecost, and to the Gentiles in Ceasarea
probably three and a half years after. (Acts 2:10.) But Peter fell asleep and [R504 : page 4] the Master holds the keys. He it is who
shall unlock the gates of hades and of death and shall free the long bound
captives. No "successor of St. Peter" ever has or even can. If they
had the power they would have tried it long ago.
"I know thy works." It is a brief mention but emphatic, and
carries with it this encouragement: "Behold, I have set before thee an
open door, which no man can shut." There is considerable similarity
between the work begun on the day of Pentecost and the work of Luther and his
friends. The Reformation was, in a sense, the beginning of a new era; a dawning
of light where all had been darkness; the separation of the true from the false
and a new start in the way of truth and life. It was the beginning of a mighty
work. No doubt all the powers of Satan and his human allies were exerted to
close that door-- we know they tried hard; but "He that is true" had
said--"which no man can shut." The "little flock" of
reformers had but "a little strength" compared with the mighty hosts
of their enemies; but they knew they had the truth, and fully trusted the
Giver. Thus the Master could say, thou "hast kept my word, and hast not denied
my name." Luther's declaration at the Diet at Worms, as he stood alone
before the princes of Germany and the stern emperor Charles V., are worthy of a
Paul, and illustrative of the text. "Unless," said he, "I shall
be convinced by Scriptures, (for I can put no faith in popes and councils, as
it is evident that they have frequently erred, and even contradicted each
other); unless my conscience shall be convinced by the Word of God, I neither
will, or can recant, since it is unworthy of an honest man to act contrary to
his own conviction. Here I stand; it is impossible for me to act otherwise--so
help me God."
We do not understand that this symbolic period is restricted to those
early days. That was the beginning. The conflict is not over. The proud and
boastful churches of to-day are persecuting and would fain "wipe out"
those still living of the Philadelphian band. The work is the Lord's, he will
take care of it, and man cannot hinder it. "Behold, I will make them of
the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold,
I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved
thee."
This is very plain language regarding the opposers of the truth, who
claim to be the church of God. They would say we were calling them dreadful
hard names if we were to use language half as expressive. When "the hour
of trial, that which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell
upon the earth," has humbled their pride, they will learn who were the
chosen, and come and render obeisance at their feet. The faithful ones will be kept
from the power of this great trial; and the reason is given, "Because thou
didst keep the word of my endurance." (Rotherham.)
Those who have been disciplined, and have been wholly consecrated, and
are in a crucified condition when this trial comes, will be far above its
power. "A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right
hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold
and see the reward of the wicked" (Ps. 91; Luke 21:34-36). "I come
quickly; hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown."
Numbers have believed for many years that we have been living in the
"quickly" time; but failing to recognize the manner of his coming and
the condition of his presence, they still look for him, and congratulate
themselves on their patient waiting and watching for his return. They say,
"When he comes, we expect to know it." When asked how, they
triumphantly quote: "This same Jesus"-- failing to appreciate the
fact that the same Jesus was not recognized after his resurrection by those who
had seen him daily for years. Mary and his disciples might talk to him and
mistake him for a stranger, but these will recognize him instantly--miles away.
Since he ascended he has been glorified. He allowed Saul of Tarsus to
catch a glimpse of him in his new condition. It took him three days to get over
it, and even then his sight was only restored by a miracle. Not until we are
like him shall we be able to see him as he is (1 John 3:2). [R505
: page 4]
Let those who thus cling to the fleshly, lest, fear while still looking
for him in an earthly condition, he may come as the thief cometh, silently, and
in a spiritual --therefore unseen--body, and, in his distribution of rewards,
give the crown to another (ver. 11). "Him
that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go
no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the
city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God;
and my own new name."
In the Philadelphia period, especially during the first and last phases
of it, the faithful have either been obliged to come out of the nominal temple
to find liberty, or they have been "cast out" for their straight
testimony.
The reward is that they will be, not simply an unimportant piece, but a
vital part--a pillar in the true and eternal temple--a part that cannot be
taken away or cast out while the structure exists. During their trial, their
names were cast out as evil; they were branded as infidels and heretics; they
were not recognized as children of God, as citizens of the heavenly country, as
Christians. All this is to be reversed. The Lord knoweth them that are his, and
in due time will fully and eternally acknowledge them. W. I. M.
W.T. R-504 a : page 3 – 1883 r.