"Keep on Holding Fast What You Have"/PHILADELPHIA - The Conqueror's Blessing

 The  John class today have  'kept the word about Jesus' endurance,' that is, they have followed his example and endured. (Hebrew 12:2, 3; 1 Peter 2:21) They have thus been greatly encouraged by Jesus' further words to the congregation in Philadelphia:  "The one that conquers-I will make him pillar in the temple of my God, and he will by no means go out from it anymore. - REVELATION 3:12a.

What a privilege it is for one to be a pillar in the temple of Jehovah! In ancient Jerusalem,  the literal temple was the center of Jehovah's worship.  Within the temple, the high priest offered the blood of sacrificial animals, one day each year, before the miraculous light that represented Jehovah's presence in "the Most Holy."  (Hebrews 9:1-7) At Jesus' baptism, there came into existence another temple, a great spiritual, templelike arrangement for worshipping Jehovah.  The holy of holies of this temple is in heaven, where Jesus duly apppeared  "before the person of God."  (Hebres 9:24)  Jesus is the High Priest, and there is only one sacrifice offered for the complete covering of the sins: the shed blood of the perfect  man Jesus.  (Hebrews 7:26, 27; 9:25-28;10:1-5, 12-14)  As long as they remain faithful Christians on earth  serve as underpriests in the earthly courtyards of this temple. (1 Peter 2:9) But once they have conquered, they too enter that heavenly holy of holies and become immovable supports, like pillars, of the templike arrangement for worship. (Hebrews 10:19; Revelation 20:6) There is no danger that they will "go out from it anymore."

Jesus continues, saying:  "And I will write upon him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem which descends out of  heaven from my God, and that new name of mine." (Revelation 3:12b) Yes, these conquerors have written on them the name of Jehovah-their God and Jesus' God.  This shows clearly that Jehovah and Jesus are two separate persons and not two parts of a  triune God, or Trinity.  (John 14:28; 20:17)  All creation must come to see these anointed ones belong to Jehovah.  They are his Witnesses. They also have written on them the name of new Jerusalem, the heavenly city that desends out of heaven in the sense  that it extends   its  benevolent rule over all faithful mankind. (Revelation 21:9-14) All the earthly  Christian sheep will thus also know that these anointed conquerors  are citizens of the Kingdom, the heavenly Jerusalem. - PSALM87:5m 6; MATTHEW 25:33, 34; PHILIPPIANS 3:20; HEBREWS 12:22.

Finally anointed overcomers have written on them  Jesus' new name.  This refers to Jesus' new office and the  unique privileges granted to him by Jehovah. (Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:12)  No one else gets to know that name, in the sense that no one has has those experiences or is entrusted with those privileges.  However, when  Jesus writes his name on his faithful brothers, they come into an intimate relationship with him in that heavenly realm and even share in his privileges.  (Luke 22:29, 30)  It is no wonder that Jesus concludes his message to such anointed ones by repeating the exhortation:  "Let the one who has an ear hear what the the spirit says to the congregations." - REVELATION 3:13.

What a grand encouragement that message must have been to the faithful Christians in Philadelphia!  And it certainly has a powerful lesson for the John class now, during the Lord's day. But its principles are important for each individual Christians, whether of the anointed or of the other sheep.  (John 10:16)  Each of us would do well to keep producing  Kingdom fruitage as did those Christians in Philadelphia.  All of us have at least a little power! With regard  to increased Kingdom privileges, let us be alert  to enter any door that opens for us.  We can even pray for Jehovah to open such a door.  (Colossians 4:2, 3) As we follow Jesus' pattern of endurance and prove true to his name, we will show that, we, too, have an ear to hear what God's holy spirit says to the congregations. 

Next time: "Keep on Holding Fast What You Have"/PHILADELPHIA - Helping Many to Bow Down

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