It's Impossible - Himalayan Heights – June 2 Readings: Revelation 3:7-13 – Philadelphia

 Revelation 1-5 - Seeing Jesus

All Scripture is God-breathed and useful, but there are some Scriptures that we can consider the Himalayan mountaintops of the Bible. In the next few months, we will be looking at a series of great texts that inspire and move us - the "Himalayan Heights" of God's Word.

Today's Reading:  Revelation 3:7-13

The last book of the Bible does exactly what its title says it will do, it reveals Jesus Christ to us in a way that is unique in Scripture.

“Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens: 8 I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12 “The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. 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 my new name. 13 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches."

Through the Bible Readings: 2 Kings 9-10, John 9:19–41, Psalm 69:14–20, Proverbs14:15-16

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Devotional: It's Impossible    

When the whole world is against you, there just isn't much you can do, is there?

That is the way it seemed in Philadelphia. They were a powerless church with big enemies. Evidently, in their city, the "synagogue of Satan" was strong. We don't know exactly what that was, except that it was clearly a Jewish group. It may have been a sect within the church that attempted to lead people astray (seems likely) or an external group, but they created great problems. Subjected to persecution, an even greater time was coming and in human terms it didn't seem as though there was much of anything they could do.

Their situation was hopeless, impossible - nothing could be done for them. There was no human solution to the problems they faced, none at all. But the One who walked among the lampstands, the Holy and True One, said that impossible situations were easy for him! Look at the claims he makes in this passage.

• Jesus said that he could open doors no one could close and close doors that no one could open. People say it "who you know that matters." That is true if you are talking about a Lord like this! Jesus Christ can plow through impossible situations like a steamroller and knock down everything that blocks us from the blessing of God - if we seek him. And when our enemies seem to have power that can not be stopped, he can put up walls they cannot climb over, tunnel under, or go around. 
• Jesus said - and this is mind-boggling - that he would make the enemies who plague them come and bow at their feet. This appears to be eschatological in nature - something that will happen in eternity more than in the present day - but remember my friend that when you are serving Jesus, every enemy who opposes you, who ridicules you, who seeks to undermine or tear you down will one day bow not only before Jesus but before you and admit that you were serving Christ!
• Jesus promises them that while their suffering is great today and may increase in days ahead, they will be rescued from the "hour of testing" that is coming on the earth. While evil men may do evil things in this world, those who trust in Christ and serve him do not experience the worst suffering - the wrath of God. 

So, Jesus says, there is much to be encouraged about even in the worst of times. Yes, things were hard, but with our Lord, nothing is impossible. He can open doors that seem impossible to open and shut doors that seem impossible to close. He gives us ultimate victory over our foes and he rescues us from the trials to come.

My friend, Jesus is not a guarantee that life will be easy or that nothing bad will ever happen to you, but trusting him and serving him is the best way to live, even when life seems stacked against you and the world seems impossible. 

Father, I thank you that in Christ, nothing is impossible, that he will bring all who stand against him, and against me as I serve him, under submission to him. May I walk in faith even in the darkest times. 

Think and Pray:

Do you live for today, or are you storing up treasures in heaven?
Do you have impossible circumstances? Are you trusting God in them or are you in despair?