This study was first taught on January 17, 2012

Topic: Entering Into The Kingdom of Heaven (3.6)

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Background
The last time we met, we noted that in spite of the Lord’s wholesale condemnation of the church in Sardis, there were some people among them who were undefiled. And it was to the undefiled in Sardis, and in any other church for that matter, that the Lord promised eternal life and its rewards.

We saw that righteousness (upright, just, and godly living, deeds, and conduct, and right standing with God) will be a very major issue in heaven. For instance, the foolish virgins who were unprepared and who engaged in dead works while waiting for the bridegroom, could not enter in. Similarly, we saw that a man, who honoured the King’s invitation to the wedding, was removed and thrown into outer darkness, because he was not wearing the white garment of righteousness! We noted that the Lord will not be coming for a corrupt, defiled, or dead church; but for a glorious (without spot or wrinkle) and living church. In order to make the church a glorious bride, the Lord died and shed His blood at Calvary; and made available His blood, His word, His Spirit, and His ministers, to the church.

We saw God’s commitment to save to the uttermost, all whose names are written in the Book of Life. Thus, everything that needs to be done to make us, a part of the glorious Bride (the church), will be put into motion once our names are written in the Book of Life. For this cause, we said that we ought to receive from the Lord, all that would make us acceptable to Him; for His promise to us if we are diligent to remain unspotted, is that, we will walk with Him; our names will not be blotted out of the Book of Life, and, He will proclaim our names before His Father and the angels.

We concluded therefore, that rather than be concerned with a reputation among men, we ought to be more concerned with whether or not our names are written in the Book of Life! It is indeed unthinkable that those who are engaging in dead works would ever find their names in the Book of Life, except they repent and turn in faith to God for their eternal salvation. This offer of repentance was made to the church in Sardis, and it is being continually made to us today.

Scripture Text(s)
Matthew 7:21-22; Revelation 3:7-13
Our second text tonight addresses the church in Philadelphia, and interestingly brings no accusation on the church. Rather, the church is commended and assured of divine support, and protection. May the Holy Spirit commend us likewise to the Father and His Son, so that we can likewise enjoy divine support and protection.
The Lord introduces Himself among others, as the One Who has the keys of David, and Who shuts a door that no can open, and Who opens a door, that no one can shut. He then went on to say that He had opened unto the church in Philadelphia, a door which no man can shut, because even though they had little strength, yet they kept His word and did not deny His name. We shall be looking closely at some of the key issues in the second text as it affects our entering into the kingdom of heaven, and then draw our conclusions.
Isaiah 22:22; Matthew 16:16-19; 28:18; Philippians 2:9-11; Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3; Proverbs 24:10; Hebrews 12:3-4; John 14:1; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Isaiah 66:2; Proverbs 13:13; Psalm 19:11; John 8:31-32; 14:21-24; 1 John 2:24; Luke 22:54-62; Hebrews 10:23, 26-31; 4:14-16.

Conclusion
The church in Philadelphia was one which had little strength; possibly, little resources in terms of numbers, status, finance, and, especially, spiritual energy. However, they excelled because the Lord, who has all authority, opened unto them a door which enabled them to do the work of God and to excel in it. This door was opened unto them because, in spite of their little strength, they kept or upheld or adhered to the word of God with patience; and refused to deny the Lord’s name (as was the practice then, when the Romans demanded that Christians renounce Christ, and proclaim the emperor as God). For this feat, the Lord promised to protect or shield them from the hour of temptation which would come on the whole earth, as well as establish them as pillars in the temple of God, among others. They were, however, warned not to let go of what they had, including their profession of faith and hope in Christ, so that they would not lose their eternal reward.

Today’s believers in Christ can, likewise receive the ‘key’ of the kingdom, or the unquestioned authority to open ‘doors’ or gain unimpeded access into, whole communities, tribes, and nations; the hearts of individuals to bring them to salvation; and, the mystery of the word of God so that they can unambiguously declare same to sinners and other believers alike. All we require to receive such authority and access is that we adhere to or uphold the word of God, and refuse to deny Christ by our conduct and in our interaction with unbelievers. We also need to learn the following lessons:
1. Keeping the word of God with patience, and refusing to deny Christ is more important to the Lord than our preaching, prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles, signs and wonders.
2. How little your strength is in any form, should not, and cannot, be an excuse for not continuing to keep the word of God, or denying Him before men.
3. There will be challenges in your walk with God, but you are not to give up on the profession of your faith and hope in Christ.
4. You are to keep on holding on to what you have of God until the end, so that your crown will not be taken by someone else.
5. For every door that is open, there will be adversaries, but the Lord has assured us victory over them.

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