Enduring Until the End

Wandering in the Wilderness: Enduring Until the End

Sunday, August 16, 2020

Revelation 3:7-13 

Introduction

          The people of God often gave up their faith in God as they wandered in the wilderness. Sadly, the unfaithful pressured others to adopt their faithless self-determination. Sometimes, they even pressured their leaders to conform. The most glaring example of this situation is the familiar story of the Israelites who melted their jewelry and formed a golden calf while Moses’ met with God on the mountain.

            Exodus 32 describes how the people of God became restless when it appeared that Moses might never come down from the mountain. It appears they had more faith in Moses than in the God for whom he testified. Perhaps that’s why they wanted an idol. The unbelieving, “Egyptian” Israelites applied so much pressure that Moses chief spokesman and brother, Aaron acquiesced and led them in creating an idol and an altar. The most tragic thing about Aaron’s actions is that he tried to justify them by incorporating pagan practices with the worship of Yahweh. He said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:4b) Aaron’s blatant compromise under pressure led to the destruction of thousands. When questioned by Moses, Aaron made excuses.

            In the letter to the Christian in Philadelphia, there is a powerful message from Christ about enduring social and political pressure from peers. Even now God’s people who wander through this present wilderness are often pressured to conform. Nevertheless, Christ promises rewards for those who patiently endure and punishment for those who compromise.

 

Hold Fast

            Jesus told the Philadelphian Christians to “hold fast.” Hold fast is a nautical term that means to tighten the rigging and to grip it tightly while pressing on through the storm. During heavy seas, a ship’s crew stretched lifelines from stem to stern to prevent sailors from being washed overboard. The understanding among mariners was that, while on deck, one always dedicates a hand for the ship and a hand for yourself.

            Jesus commended them for their patient endurance. What were they enduring patiently? What storm were they passing through? Logically, if they will be kept from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, then the trial they are enduring is about something else. Jesus said he would open a door for them that “they” cannot close. Were the Christians in Philadelphia being ostracized? – By other Christians or Jews? What doors were being closed?

            The truly devoted Christian will often suffer more persecution from within religious bodies because they cannot help but upset the status quo. Religious bodies rapidly deteriorate into social organizations when their leaders fail to uphold the core values upon which they are founded. Consequently, these organizations eventually adopt societal norms and secular applications of their creeds. This will lead to political correctness, diluted precepts, and general corruption. This seems to be the case with the Church at Philadelphia.

 

Conclusion

            When Christians gather in an established institution like this one, there will be among them those whose interpretation of the religion is extremely secular. They are often recognized by their dedication to matters of comfort and taste. They often resist authority and pledge to do things the way they always have. They will be heard saying, “We tried that before and it doesn’t work.” When the church doesn’t seem to feed their flesh anymore, they become agitated and combative. Many churches, clubs, and other organizations have been held hostage by an old friend who causes suffering when things don’t go his/her way.

            This is a form of persecution for those who would uplift Christ as King. Ironically, when they confront the hostage-taker with truth-in-love they are frequently accused of “not being Christian.” This is the modern equivalent to making a golden calf and calling it the God who saved us. It seems that the Christians in Philadelphia suffered that sort of storm. The same trials confront Christians yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Therefore, we must hold fast even now.