Thanksgiving Message

I read to you the Word of God recorded for our instruction in Hebrews 13:15-16:

“Through Him, then, let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share. For with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

St. Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, after he had presented the truth of the Gospel, urges us, as a response to the salvation Christ has won for us, to offer our bodies back to God as a living sacrifice, devoted to the service of the Lord.

After teaching us that we are not and cannot be counted just and righteous in God’s sight by our keeping of the law since none of us can or do keep it perfectly as God requires, but that we can be counted just and righteous in God’s eyes through faith in Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world for He perfectly kept God’s law in our stead and then bore the full punishment for our sins when He suffered and died on the cross, Paul urges us to now live and devote our lives to Christ, who died for our sins and rose again (cf. 2 Cor. 5:15).

We read in Romans 12:1-2: “I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The epistle to the Hebrews, whether written by the apostle Paul or by another disciple of our Lord, makes clear to us that we have not been redeemed by the blood of goats and calves but by “the blood of Christ.”

We read in Hebrews 9:11-14: “But Christ, when He came as a High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats, and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies so that the flesh is purified, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”

And so, we are justified, saved, and made acceptable in God’s eyes, not by our own sin-tainted works, but through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross for our sins and the sins of the world. But we are saved for a purpose. Our consciences were cleansed “from dead works to serve the living God” (Heb. 9:14).

Or, as Paul writes to the Ephesians in Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them.”

Therefore, through faith in Christ, entering the very presence of God the Father by means of the shed blood of Christ and His atonement for our sins, “let us continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

Do you get it? Since we are saved by God’s grace alone and through faith alone in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice to atone for our sins, we are called upon to offer our bodies to God as a living sacrifice, and we are to offer up to God “the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.”

We, of course, have so much for which to be thankful. We have families, homes, food, clothes, jobs, and lots of things to occupy our time and give us pleasure. And, at this time of year, many talk of being thankful for all they have. But, what is so often forgotten on this day is to whom we should be thankful! It is one thing to be thankful that we have been able to work and have our home and family and all these wonderful things. It is quite another to know and thank the one who has given them to us to enjoy!

That is why the psalmist, in Psalm 96:7-9, writes: “Give unto the LORD, O families of the people, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.”

You see, it’s not enough just to be thankful. We are to be thankful to the LORD (Jehovah or Yahweh, the Triune God) who created the heavens and the earth and has given us our lives and all things. He alone is worthy of our worship and praise!

And what can we give to the God who created and upholds all things? We have nothing that He needs. Indeed, all things are already His!

In Psalm 50:10-15, God tells us: “Every wild animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures that move in the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and pay your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will glorify Me.”

What does God desire of us? Our worship and praise, “the fruit of our lips.” He desires that we give to Him “the glory due His name” (Psalm 96:8). And our offerings to Him are not providing anything He needs but are an expression of trust in His name — trust that He can and will provide all our needs even when we first honor Him and present a portion of what he has given us back to Him and to the work of building His kingdom.

Solomon writes in Proverbs 3:9-10: “Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your presses will burst out with new wine.” The question is: Do we trust in the LORD enough to do this?

And so, first of all, since God has created us and sustains us, since He gives us our life, our families and all things, since He also has redeemed us, sending His Son to pay the price and atone for our sins, and sending us his Word and the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith in Christ and give to us pardon, forgiveness and life eternal, we are called upon to “continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Heb. 13:15).

And, secondly, the Word of God urges us to “not forget to do good and to share. For with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (Heb. 13:16). It is true that we have nothing that God needs. However, there are many around us who are in need, and God would have us share the blessings he has showered upon us with those who are truly in need.

This, too, is an act and expression of faith, trusting that when we share with others, our God will still supply all our needs. Our Lord Jesus, who gave His life for us, told us: “Give, and it will be given to you: Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will men give unto you. For with the measure you use, it will be measured unto you” (Luke 6:38). And the Scriptures repeatedly urge us to “remember the poor” (Gal. 2:10).

God told His people in Deuteronomy 15:7-11: “If there be among you a poor man, one of your brothers within any of your gates in your land which the LORD your God has given you, you must not harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. But you shall open your hand wide to him and must surely lend him what is sufficient for his need, in that which he lacks. Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin in you. You must surely give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because in this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works, and in all that you put your hand to do. For the poor will never cease from being in the land. Therefore, I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and needy in your land.’”

In Isaiah 58:6-9, God says: “Is not this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the poor who are outcasts into your house? When you see the naked, to cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh? Then your light shall break forth as the morning, and your healing shall spring forth quickly, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your reward. Then you shall call, and the LORD shall answer; you shall cry, and He shall say, Here I am.”

Psalm 41:1 says, “Blessed are those who consider the poor; the LORD will deliver them in the day of trouble.”

We also read in Proverbs 19:17: “He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will repay what he has given.” And, in 22:9: “He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.”

In Luke 12:33-34, Jesus tells us: “Sell your possessions and give alms. Provide yourselves purses that do not grow old, an unfailing treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

And, certainly, there are many more verses we could consider. But the point is this: God desires that we trust Him enough to be willing to share the blessings He has showered upon us.

This, of course, takes wisdom because we are not to encourage slothfulness, and St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians that “if any will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Therefore, we also need to be careful that we support those who are truly in need and not those who are too lazy to work. That may mean working through a trusted organization or taking the time to know those we help to be sure they are truly in need and not seeking to exploit the generosity of others. Of course, in the end, God will judge those who deceive us and abuse our generosity — meaning the burden of being good stewards lies not only on the giver but also on the recipients of our kindness.

We also seek to meet people’s greatest need, to share with them the precious teaching of God’s Word. Since God so graciously has given to us His Word and called us to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we share that Word with others, calling upon all to repent of their sinful ways and look to Jesus Christ and His cross for mercy and forgiveness (cf. Luke 24:46-47). We sacrifice that others, too, might hear the Gospel promises of forgiveness and life through faith in our Savior!

Therefore, through Christ, and as a result of His love and mercy upon us, we are exhorted to “continually offer to God the sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share. For with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”

We do so, not because God needs anything of us but because He has shown us mercy, forgiveness and abundant blessings for the sake of Christ Jesus, our Savior! We offer this sacrifice to God, not to merit God’s grace and favor but because God has shown us His abundant grace and favor for the sake of Jesus and His perfect sacrifice for us on the cross!

“Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” — Hebrews 13:20-21

A blessed Thanksgiving season to you!

[Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.]

O That Men Would Give Thanks!

from Psalm 107 Music courtesy of Robert Evans and scripturesongs.net.

O that men would give thanks
To the Lord for His goodness
And for His wonderful works
To the children of men
For He satisfies the longing soul
And fill the hungry soul with goodness
Let them understand
Let them understand and give…

Refrain:
(Oh, give) thanks, Oh give thanks
To the Lord for He is good
Oh, give thanks, oh give thanks
For His mercy endures forever

O that men would give thanks
To the Lord for His goodness
And for His wonderful works
To the children of men
For He has broken the gates of bronze
And cut the bars of iron in two
Let them understand
Let them understand and give…

O that men would give thanks
To the Lord for His goodness
And for His wonderful works
To the children of men
Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving
And declare His works with rejoicing
Let them understand
Let them understand and give…

O that men would give thanks
To the Lord for His goodness
And for His wonderful works
To the children of men
Let them exalt Him in the congregation of the people
And praise Him in the assembly of the mature
Let them understand
Let them understand and give…

1 “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; 2 to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night, 3 on an instrument of ten strings, on the lute, and on the harp, with harmonious sound. 4 For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of Your hands. 5 O LORD, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. 6 A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this.” Psalm 92:1-6

A Christian — one who acknowledges his sins and shortcomings and looks to God in faith for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the shed blood of Jesus, God’s Son who came into this world to be our Savior — will be thankful to the LORD God for His lovingkindness and mercy.

In fact, having no other gods but the LORD God and rightly using His name to honor Him certainly includes thanking Him and praising Him for all He has done and still does for us (cf.Ex. 20:1-11; Deut. 5:6-15; Isa. 58:13-14).

And what does God say of those who should know there is an almighty and all-wise God who created and preserves all things but yet remain unthankful? We find the answer in Romans 1:20-21: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

Those who are not thankful do not trust the LORD God or honor Him. Instead of being thankful to God for all His blessings, they often covet and desire what God has not given them, whether that be the goods of this world or the sinful pleasures of life. Thus, God’s commandment regarding coveting in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5 (Ex. 20:17; Deut. 5:21) really forbids the inverse of being thankful and content with what God has provided us. Instead of trusting in God and His promises and giving Him thanks, people covet — not trusting God’s Word, being unthankful and discontent, and desiring those things God has not given us.

Psalm 92, like many other psalms, reminds us that it is good to give thanks to the LORD God, who has created us and sustains us, and who has redeemed us through the innocent sufferings and death of His only-begotten Son and who gives us spiritual life by His Spirit’s working in us through His Word (cf. Psalm 139:13-16; 36:9; 119:18). Though a senseless man does not know and understand this, praising God and giving Him thanks for His wonderful works, whether that be with musical instruments or with words of praise and thanksgiving, are the fruits of faith. They are the result of trusting in the promises of God recorded for us in His Word.

Indeed, as the psalm says, “It is good to give thanks to the LORD, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night …”

And, the LORD’s mighty works give us reason to rejoice in Him and be glad, for He not only gives us life and blesses us with all the good things we enjoy in this life; He sent His Son into the world to die in our stead, for our sins, and to win for us pardon, forgiveness and everlasting life! (Cf. Psalm 103:1ff.; Psalm 130:7-8).

Those who trust in Him and His mercy rejoice and give Him thanks and praise for all He has done for us!

O gracious and merciful God, we thank You and praise You for creating us in our mothers’ wombs and giving us life, for blessing us with all good things and sustaining our lives in this world, for sending Jesus Christ, Your only-begotten Son, into this world as a true man that He might, in our stead, keep Your commandments and then suffer the just punishment for our sins so that we might look to Him in faith and be pardoned, forgiven and granted eternal life in communion with You. We thank and praise You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

“52 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, ‘How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?’ 53 Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven — not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.’ 59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.” John 6:52-59

How can Jesus give us His flesh to eat? This was a question troubling Jesus’ hearers in the synagogue at Capernaum, but it still troubles those who hear His words today.

And, certainly, eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking His blood is important because Jesus also said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53).

Was Jesus talking about partaking in the Lord’s Supper? Some might say yes, but He had not yet even instituted His Supper when He spoke these words, and nowhere does the Bible say that those who have not been afforded the opportunity to partake in the Lord’s Supper remain spiritually dead and are condemned forever.

Jesus said, “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed” (John 6:54-55). Jesus says that His flesh is food indeed, and His blood is drink indeed, using the same Greek word used for “is” when He said of the bread in the Lord’s Supper, “This is My body,” and of the wine, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:26,28). In fact, Jesus’ words here, in John 6, are even stronger because He adds the word “indeed,” meaning it truly is, to His statements concerning His flesh and His blood.

Yet, Jesus is not talking about actually chewing and drinking His flesh and blood and digesting it in our bodies. He is talking about partaking of Him and His sacrifice on the cross in faith — a spiritual eating and drinking of His body and blood that we might also partake of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life that He won for all when He suffered and died on the cross and then rose again in victory.

Understanding how the sacrificial system pointed to Christ is necessary to rightly understand Jesus’ words. Sacrifices were offered, pointing ahead to the perfect sacrifice God would provide, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29; cf. Gen. 22:13-14); and, as the people often partook of their sacrifices, so we partake of Christ and His sacrifice for us on the cross when we trust in Him (cf. Ex. 12:1ff.; 24:1-11 29:33).

Jesus’ words in John 6:56-57 make this clear: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.” We abide in Christ and are in communion with Christ when we confess our sins and partake of His sacrifice for the sins of the world in faith (cf. 1 John 1:5 — 2:2; John 3:14-18). Not all who partake of the Lord’s Supper are saved, but those who partake by faith of Jesus’ body and blood, given and shed for all upon the cross, live through Him. They have the forgiveness of sins Christ won for them, and they have the promise of eternal life as God’s redeemed people.

As Jesus said in John 6:58, “This is the bread which came down from heaven — not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus is the true life-giving bread that came down from heaven. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

The question is: Do you partake of Him and His perfect sacrifice for you on the cross in faith?

Dear Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, grant that I look to You and Your cross and partake of You in faith as the holy and sinless sacrifice for my sins that You may raise me up on the last day to life everlasting. Amen.

[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

Laodicea

Laodicea on the Lycus was a major city in ancient Anatolia, located on a plateau between the rivers Asopus and Caprus in the Lycus Valley of western Asia Minor, in what is now Turkey.

It was founded in the 3rd century BC by Antiochus II Theos, king of the Seleucid Empire, and named in honor of his wife Laodice, whom he later divorced, likely for political reasons. Laodicea quickly became a wealthy city due to its strategic location on a major trade route and its production of textiles, wool, and medical ointments. It was also known for establishing banking.

The city was also a center of learning, with a famous school of medicine. Laodicea was also a religious center, with temples dedicated to Zeus, Apollo, and Artemis.

In the 1st century AD, Laodicea was one of the seven churches of Asia Minor addressed by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation. The church at Laodicea was criticized for being lukewarm in its faith and for being materialistic and self-satisfied.
Laodicea remained an important city until the 7th century AD when it was destroyed by an earthquake. The city was never rebuilt, and today, its ruins are located near the modern city of Denizli.

Following are some of the key points about the background of the city of Laodicea:
• Founded in the 3rd century BC by Antiochus II Theos, king of the Seleucid Empire
• Strategic location on a major trade route
• Wealthy city due to its production of textiles, wool, and medical ointments
• Center of learning and religion
• One of the seven churches of Asia Minor addressed by the Apostle John in the Book of Revelation
• Destroyed by an earthquake in the 7th century AD

Laodicea is an important city in Christian history, and its message of lukewarm faith is still relevant today.

Laodicean Water

Laodicea received its water from a series of springs located to the south of the city. The water was carried to the city via an aqueduct, which was constructed in the 1st century AD. The aqueduct was approximately 5 miles long and consisted of a series of arches that carried the water over valleys and other obstacles. The water from the aqueduct was distributed to public fountains and baths throughout the city. It was also used to irrigate crops and gardens.

The water supply of Laodicea was considered to be of good quality. However, it was also known for being lukewarm, which is why it is mentioned in the Book of Revelation as a symbol of spiritual lukewarmness.

In modern times, the ruins of the Laodicean aqueduct can still be seen. It is a testament to the engineering skill of the Romans and the importance that they placed on water supply in their cities.

Letter to the Church in Laodicea – Revelation 3:14-22

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: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 22 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]

Study Notes

In His letter to the church in Laodicea, Jesus, the eternal Son of God (cf. Col. 1:15ff.) and the true witness and the only way of salvation (Rev. 3:14; cf. John 14:6), rebukes the believers there for their lukewarmness and self-sufficiency. He tells them that they are neither hot nor cold and that He is about to vomit them out of His mouth (Rev. 3:16). Jesus also tells them that they are naked, blind, and poor, even though they think they see, are rich and have everything they need (Rev. 3:17).

Jesus then calls the church in Laodicea to repent and turn back to Him (Rev. 3:18). He offers them the gold of a purified and true faith (cf. 1 Pet. 1:3-9), the white garments of His righteousness through faith in Him and His cross (cf. Isa. 1:16-18; Rev. 7:13-17), and the enlightening eye salve of His Holy Spirit, who opens our eyes to the truth of God’s Word and points us to Jesus for life and salvation (Rev. 3:18; cf. John 3:3,5-6; 6:44,63; 16:13-14; Ps. 119:18). Jesus also promises to reward those who overcome and remain faithful to Him (Rev. 3:21-22; cf. Rev. 2:10).

The letter to the church in Laodicea is a warning to all Christians about the dangers of lukewarmness and false confidence in ourselves, our faith, and our works — thinking all is well with our souls when, in fact, we are spiritually poor and faithless. Jesus wants us to be truly penitent and hold fast to Him in faith, trusting that only in Him and for the sake of His cross can we have forgiveness and life. He wants us to be humble and recognize our need for His help.

Jesus stands at the door and knocks, desiring that we repent and open the door to Him in faith and walk in fellowship with Him (Rev. 3:19-20; cf. Heb. 12:5-11; Prov. 3:11-12; 1 John 1:5—2:2) unto life everlasting. Those who overcome will reign with Christ in His kingdom (Rev. 3:21; cf. 2 Tim. 2:11-12).

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 3:22).

The city of Philadelphia in Asia Minor was founded in 189 BC by King Eumenes II of Pergamon. He named the city after his brother Attalus II, who was known for his loyalty and was nicknamed Philadelphos, meaning “lover of his brother.”

Philadelphia was located on an important trade route and quickly became a prosperous city. It was also a center of learning and culture and was home to a number of philosophers and artists.

Philadelphia was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 AD. The earthquake was one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history and caused widespread damage throughout the region. The city of Sardis, the capital of the Roman province of Asia, was the most severely affected, but Philadelphia was also heavily damaged. Philadelphia was rebuilt by the Roman emperor Tiberius, who was known for his generosity and his willingness to help those in need. He provided financial assistance to the city and sent engineers and architects to help with the reconstruction. The city of Philadelphia was grateful for Tiberius’ help and was renamed Neocaesarea, which means “New Caesar.” This was a way for the city’s residents to show their gratitude to Tiberius and express their loyalty to the Roman Empire.

In the first century AD, Philadelphia was one of the seven churches in Asia Minor receiving letters from Jesus in connection with the Book of Revelation. The church in Philadelphia was known for its faithfulness to Christ, even in the face of persecution.

In the 4th century AD, Philadelphia became part of the Byzantine Empire. It remained a prosperous city for several centuries but began to decline in the 11th century as a result of Turkish invasions. In 1390, it was captured by the Ottoman Turks and remained under Ottoman rule for more than 500 years. In the 19th century, the city was renamed Alaşehir. Some of the ruins of the ancient city can still be seen in Alaşehir.

The church in Philadelphia, known by Jesus for its faithfulness even though it was small and persecuted, was encouraged to stand fast. In His letter, Jesus commended the believers there for their faithfulness and promised to bless them.

He said, “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” (Rev. 3:8). Jesus also promised to protect the church from the coming testing and to make the believers pillars in His temple (Rev. 3:10-12).

From Jesus’ letter to the church in Philadelphia, we see that He values faithfulness and rewards those who persevere in the true and saving faith even in the face of persecution. Though the church in Philadelphia was small and weak, the believers there were faithful to Christ, and He promised to bless them — even to give them an opportunity to bear witness to Christ and the Gospel.

This letter is a message of hope and encouragement for Christians, even if their numbers are few and they are weak.

Jesus’ letter to the church in Philadelphia – Revelation 3:7-13

7 “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.” ’

[Scripture is taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.]