God Keeps His Promises
No one make take your crown…Revelation 3:11
Lest we point the finger at what others believe, we should examine what we hold to be true. Others believe they have some kind of physical reward awaiting them in the afterlife. Sometimes we scoff at their beliefs. But what do we believe?
Don’t we believe we will inherit some kind of mansion, live in a city built with gold with streets paved with gold? Don’t we believe we will be given some kind of gold crown? In fact, Revelation 3:11 suggests we could lose this crown. If so, how will we feel in heaven being the only one without a golden crown?
What about now—today; how do we feel about our precious inheritance being so fleeting? Or is it?
What does the Bible say? Consider the Apostle Peter’s first letter, Chapter 1:
Verses 3-5: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time
So, yes, there is an incorruptible inheritance reserved for you in heaven, verse 4. But what about now? Verse 3: you have been born again into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But there is more…you are being kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready in the last time!
But there is more…and it is for today. Verse 6-8: you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love.
So yes, there is gold…but it pales in value to your faith. Faith that is being tested, daily. Tested by fire. For us spiritual fire, for us physical fire. Stand firm. The same power keeping you for the last day is keeping you today, tomorrow, and always. You are the church of Philadelphia, dwelling near the very synagogue of Satan, hear our Lord’s words: I know your works…you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, verse 8.
