Irish Scripture Scholar Frances Hogan explains the message sent to the church in Philadelphia - a faithful witness of God. Jesus says that He is the one who holds the key of David; He is the king and what He says is going to happen. Though the church in Philadelphia is small and appears to be helpless, they are not helpless spiritually. The church in Philadelphia reflects what the Lord wants; God says that he is going to open a door of mission for them. This also means that He has prepared the hearts of the people they go to - He prepares the missionaries and the field that is to be harvested.

Though the door of the synagogue is closed for the church in Philadelphia, the doors of heaven are opened. The people of the world will acknowledge that they are people of God, chosen by Him to do His work. We also see a warning in the message: if we reject the grace of the covenant of Jesus, if we forgo our place at Jesus’ table, there are thousands of others who will take our place.

The Lord has said that carrying the cross and bearing suffering is part of our mission; this is true for the church in Philadelphia for whom God has opened the doors of mission. They are told about the three waves of tribulation and they are called to carry the cross. For the joy of the new era, let us endure the tribulation so that we can go to the Lord as a bride with her dazzling white robes. Jesus tells His church: I am coming soon.

Bible References:

• Rev. 3:7-13 - Message to the church in Philadelphia
• Lv. 19:2 - You shall be holy because I am holy
• Is. 12:6 or Is. 40:25 - The Holy One of Israel
• Is. 22:22 - The holder of the key of David
• John 3:35 - The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands
• 2 Cor. 12:9 - My power works best in weakness
• Is. 45:14 - Gentiles will bow before the Jews
• Luke 14:15-24 - Parable of the great supper
• Matt. 16:24-27 - Redemption through suffering
• Heb. 12:1-4 - Jesus, a model for carrying the cross
• Amos 3:7 - God never does anything without telling his people first
• 1 Cor. 9:24-27 - Eyes on the prize

Scripture Scholar, Frances Hogan, takes you to the world of the Apocalypse of John shown to us in the Book of Revelation written from the Greek island of Patmos. Through this podcast, we will try to understand the Book of Revelation through St. John’s warnings, the punishment that awaits, and the consolation the Lord offers to the faithful.

Frances Hogan: https://www.franceshogan.com/

Shalom World: https://www.shalomworld.org

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