Revelation 4:7-13. Jesus tells John to write to the church in Philadelphia that He knows their works and He has set an open door before them which no one will be able to shut. They have but little power, but have kept Jesus' word and have not denied His name, so He will "make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are that they are Jews and are not ... come and bow down before your feet, and learn that I have loved you." He will keep them from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world. He assures them He is coming soon and to hold fast to their crown. He will make them pillars in the Temple and write on them the name of God, the name of the New Jerusalem, and His own name new name.

I know that these messages to the churches in Revelation refer to specific early churches and what they were doing, but I am reading this today for its "eternal" application and meaning. There are always faithful ones of little power to whom Jesus is speaking. He praises them and offers them encouragement with these words. They may not feel like they are accomplishing much, and they may, in bad times, experience persecution, or at least the threat of it. They may be tempted to give up or give in and not stay true to His words and His name. Jesus here is speaking to all such people, He is speaking to us. He encourages all of the powerless ones to "hold fast what you have, so that no one may take your crown," for He is coming soon. And He will show His love for them, especially to all those who profess to be faithful but are not and who persecute the powerless faithful ones.

If we hold on to the end, we will become pillars in the new Temple, with God's name, the New Jerusalem's name, and Jesus' new name etched into us, marking us as permanently theirs. What great things await those who remain faithful through adversity!