Revelation 3:7-13. To the church in Philadelphia (ha!) Jesus says that he knows their works and has set before them an open door which no one may shut. He knows they have but little power, yet they have kept his word and not denied his name. Those who follow Satan, who say they are good Jews but are not, will be brought to bow down before their feet and see that Jesus has loved them. Because they have kept his word of patient endurance, he will keep them from "the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the Earth." Jesus says he is coming soon, so hold fast to what you have so no one may seize your crown. He who stays faithful will conquer this time and will be forever in God's Temple - the New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven.

The time of trial is here, it has begun. Those of us here now must persevere through it, and must help others do the same - we must have patient endurance and not let the evil one seize our crowns. If we remain faithful, the door to the New Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God, will remain open to us and we will enter when it is our time. The faithful see now that we have but little power (if we didn't already know that). The forces of evil that are attacking the world seem insurmountable, undefeatable. They seem to have covered every contingency, they are taking control without much of a fight at all, and even when the powerless band together and try to fight back through legal and moral means, they are quickly dismissed from courts, from the legislatures, from the media.

It seems so hopeless and so dire, and it will get worse. I don't know how long this time of trial will last, but we need to remain faithful, never deny him or his word, and be kind, forgiving, and helpful to others as they "wake up" to what is actually going on. We need to hold on to our crowns and help them hold on to theirs. The seas are getting very rough, but Jesus will see us through this if we stay close and faithful to him.