Brighter and Brighter Until the Full Day

“Hold fast… To My Name… to what you have till I come… Repent… So that no one takes your crown!” These were the messages of Jesus to the churches of Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and to us: “Hold fast!”

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” [1]

The devil scammed Adam and Eve out of paradise. He used fake news to get them to depart from God. Jesus said that the devil lies, kills, and destroys. His goal is to separate us from God so he can rob us. The Church, like an Old Testament prophet, calls people to a close relationship with God. We need to tell them that JESUS is the WAY! [2]

“I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.” [3]

God calls us to be genuine not imposters. God desires truth in the inward parts. [4]

Jesus taught us to be deeply rooted not shallow in God’s Word. [5] Do not allow tribulation, persecution, cares of this world and deceitfulness of riches to strangle your growth.

To repent is to come to one’s senses. [6] We need to realize the matchless worth of Christ.

Sardis was a wealthy city built on high cliffs. It seemed invincible. One day a Sardis defender dropped his helmet down from the cliff wall. An enemy solider learned the location of the secret entrance to the city. Sardis should have depended on God. [7]

“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” [8]

Only a few of the Christians in Sardis stayed on track. The pagan gods of Sardis could not be approached with dirty clothes. Jesus says, “The one who is victorious will be dressed in white.” Jesus gives to us white garments of righteousness. White was also the color of triumph to the Romans. [9] How did they stay clean? They abided in Jesus!

Jesus said, “I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels.” Sardis blotted out the names of convicted criminals from the city’s book of life. God also has a Book of Life. [10]

God said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.” Jesus told His disciples to rejoice because their names are written in heaven. “If anyone removes words from this prophecy, God removes his part from the Book of Life.” [11]

To be in the Lamb’s Book of Life, you must have the Lamb. Self-approval or the approval of others is not enough.

“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.” [12]

Jesus told the Philadelphians He holds the key of David. A king opens or shuts his kingdom to whom he pleases. Christians in Philadelphia were excluded from the synagogue. The open door to God’s kingdom contrasted with the synagogue’s closed door. Jesus has the authority to open or close the kingdom of heaven. [13]

“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. 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.” [14]

Jesus told them that he would make the Satanists to bow at their feet and acknowledge His love for them. The Lord gave to Job, Daniel, Esther, and Mordecai these victories as they abided in Him. Satan wanted them to stumble, but God transformed Satan’s stumbling blocks into stepping stones for Job, Daniel, Esther and Mordecai to bring great glory to God.

“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. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.” [15]

The test is a refining process to remove that which diminishes value so that only that which is of value remains. The people of Philadelphia had already been tested by those of the synagogue (the gathering place) of Satan. After the test, all that remained in them was a desire to profess the Name of Jesus. Glory to God! Sadly, many in the end times will experience tribulation, but refuse to repent and turn to Christ for deliverance and salvation. Jesus promised to keep the Philadelphian believers from the hour of trial. Most likely referring to the rapture. Those in Christ will be raptured to be with the Lord before the last great tribulation begins. [16]

“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.” [17]

Jesus promised to make overcomers into pillars. The temple in Jerusalem had two prominent pillars. One pillar was called Jachin which means “stability.” The other pillar was called Boaz which means “strength.” Pillars convey the idea of stability and permanence. In a city where earthquakes happen, permanence is comforting. Paul calls Peter, James, and John pillars.

Jesus wrote on the overcomers the Name of God, the name of God’s city and His new Name. These wonderful names contrast with the evil beast’s 666 mark. The Old Testament priests had, “Holiness to the Lord” written on their turbans. These holy men helped God’s people to distinguish between the holy and unholy, and between clean and unclean. [18]

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” [19]

Lukewarmness is a metaphor for apathy and compromise. They were too hot to be cold and too cold to be hot. In trying to be both things, they ended up being of no use.

“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—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.” [20]

Laodicea was famous for worldly gold not spiritual gold, and for black clothing, not garments made white by holy living. They were famous for body not soul medicine. If they asked Jesus, He would heal them, but they did not ask.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent. 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]

William Barclay wrote, “Jesus’ great love was expressed in His rebuke. It is, in fact, God’s final punishment to leave a person alone.”

Tough love confronts the straying sheep that does not want to be confronted. He pleaded, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.” Jesus had to knock and urge them to let Him in. Jesus wants a deep, meaningful relationship with us. The text does not say, “If the Church will open the door.” It says, “If anyone hear My voice and open the door.” It must be done by individuals. The church gets right with God as each Christian gets right with God. Jesus told them to open their hearts to Him and He would come and sup with them.

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with My Father on his throne.” [22]

The one who overcomes apathy, compromise, and self-reliance enjoys a place enthroned with Jesus.

“Jesus commanded each church to “OVERCOME!” In the book, Lives of Eminent Persons, the common thread that ran through all their lives was a determination to overcome. 25% of these leaders had handicaps. Most should have never made the list.”

“Jesus says to us, ‘Be faithful unto death!’ Do we realize who Jesus is? Are we ready for His return? Are we listening to what His Spirit is saying to our church? There are a lot of spiritual forces of wickedness fighting against us. Jesus is saying to us, ‘Hold fast! Overcome!’” [23]

The following Bible passages contain helpful prayers and declarations of faith.

“O, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.” [24]

“They did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.” We are saved by God’s grace through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. [25]

“In God we boast all day long and praise Your Name forever. Selah” [26]

We will praise the Name of Christ forever for dying for us on the cross for our sin and resurrecting from the dead for our resurrection.

“They sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.’” [27]

“Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from Your way.” [28]

“I will make Your Name to be remembered in all generations; therefore, the people shall praise You forever and ever.” [29]

Let us lift up the Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord for all people to praise!

Such wisdom “will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you.” [30]

“The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” [31]

[1] Hebrews 10:23
[2] Genesis 3:1-7; John 10:10; John 14:6
[3] Revelation 3:1-3
[4] Psalm 51:6
[5] Matthew 13:21-22
[6] Luke 15:17
[7] “How to Keep Your Spiritual Fire Burning” sermon by Adrian Rogers
[8] Revelation 3:4-5
[9] “How to Keep Your Spiritual Fire Burning” sermon by Adrian Rogers
[10] “How to Keep Your Spiritual Fire Burning” sermon by Adrian Rogers
[11] Exodus 32:33; Luke 10:20; Revelation 22:19
[12] Revelation 3:7
[13] Revelation 3:9; “How to Keep Your Spiritual Fire Burning” sermon by Adrian Rogers
[14] Revelation 3:8-9
[15] Revelation 3:10-11
[16] 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18
[17] Revelation 3:12
[18] 2 Chronicles 3:17; Galatians 2:9; Revelation 13:18; Exodus 28:36; Leviticus 10:10
[19] Revelation 3:15-16
[20] Revelation 3:17-18
[21] Revelation 3:19-20
[22] Revelation 3:21
[23] “How to Keep Your Spiritual Fire Burning” sermon by Adrian Rogers
[24] Psalm 43:3-4
[25] Psalm 44:3, Ephesians 2:8-9
[26] Psalm 44:8
[27] Revelation 5:9
[28] Psalm 44:18
[29] Psalm 45:17
[30] Proverbs 4:9
[31] Proverbs 4:18