The True Megachurch: Daily Thoughts from Revelation (Revelation 3:7-13)

This is the era of the megachurch, the large congregation. The largest megachurch in the world is Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, South Korea with about 480,000 members as of 2015. And there are many megachurches in the US. They may seem powerful and perhaps are, from many standpoints. But Jesus addresses a church in Asia Minor (what today is Turkey) that was not a megachurch in one sense, but very mega to him in another way.

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.  “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”  (Revelation 3:7-13 ESV)

The believers in Philadelphia were weak (had little numerical, social or physical power?) but nevertheless were not denying Jesus (they had spiritual power).  And so he promises to make their enemies bow at their feet and acknowledge that he loves this church, and he promises to keep them from the hour of tribulation that is coming on the whole world. Instead they will enjoy the eternal blessings of the kingdom come to earth, the new Jerusalem described in chapters 21 and 22. They will not be in the judgment because they are true believers. 

He does warn them to hold on to their crown, to persevere, to overcome, so that they will be a pillar in God’s temple and bear the name of the heavenly Jerusalem come down from heaven, and bear His new name. This is likely a challenge to continue in their faithfulness. Failure to be faithful to him would be the only thing that would lead to someone taking their reward.

Have you found yourself growing weary in your endurance of trials and persecutions?  Holding true to Jesus’ name will be rewarded.  Those who persecute you will experience the ultimate trial, from which you will be exempt.  Future reward is just one of Jesus’ promises to those who endure.  As he mentioned to the previous church, his abiding presence with us is the other.

Do not find your power in numbers, social status or physical strength. Your power comes from the Lord.