In His message to the church of Philadelphia in present-day Turkey, the risen and glorified Christ revealed more of His character than He did to the other six churches.
Appearing to the aged apostle John around 95 AD, Jesus had him write to this church:
7 These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. Revelation 3:7 (NKJV)
Having previously looked at Christ’s holy nature, let’s look at the meaning of “He who is true”.
Jesus referred to truth in His words to the Samaritan woman, in the gospel of John:
23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
Prior to this, Jesus had told the woman something that is very common, even to this day:
22 You worship what you do not know; John 4:22a (NKJV)
Many people today will freely admit that they do not know the truth about who they are worshipping. They refer to their deity as their Higher Power, of Whom they know very little. The Samaritan woman also had one who she believed in, but she did not know the truth about it.
Jesus’ full statement adds more information that might puzzle even some Christians today:
22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. John 4:22 (NKJV)
What does this mean, “salvation is of the Jews”?
Jesus is saying here that He is the true salvation. He came in the bloodline of God through the Holy Spirit, and King David, through His human mother, Mary. Jesus is the fulfillment of countless Old Testament prophecies, including this one given through the prophet Nathan to King David himself, a thousand years before the birth of Christ:
12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ” 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (NKJV)
This prophesy was fulfilled beginning with the birth of Christ.
Jesus WAS indeed chastened – He was beaten with the rods of men and blows by the sons of men, then crucified unto an incredibly painful death on a cross. But He suffered this because He bore OUR sins – He committed none Himself. In this way, He took away the sins for all who would receive Him in faith.
But Jesus was raised from the dead on the third day. After spending 40 days with His disciples, He ascended into heaven and sat at the Father’s throne, one day to return to earth to reign on David’s eternal throne in a New Jerusalem. His rule will replace all the governments of human history, lasting forever.
Does this seem unbelievable to you? It may seem so. But just as Jesus Himself is true, His word is also true.
God never lies. He keeps every single promise made in His word. All Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus’ first coming have been fulfilled. Many other prophecies which point to His second coming, His return in glory, have yet to be. But these, too, will happen, perhaps in our own lifetime. These prophecies also confirm that Jesus is in no way done redeeming and restoring the Jewish people to their proper place in His kingdom, in devoted service to their King. This, too, is true, for as Jesus stated, salvation is of the Jews.
Reflection
In the gospel of John, Jesus declared:
6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6 (NKJV)
Many do not know who their Higher Power is. Jesus tells us plainly, if it truly is of God, it is He. If we are going to the Father, it is through Christ, through Whom all things were made. Jesus death and resurrection grants redemption and salvation to all who would receive Him by faith.
Have you opened your heart to worship God in spirit and truth? Invite Jesus into Your heart today – you will be eternally grateful that you did.
Lord, many of us have prayed to God, not realizing that Jesus opens the door to the Father for all who would seek Him. May we worship You in spirit and truth today, choosing Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. May God be blessed forever! We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a blessed and beautiful day in the power of the Lord today.
Times and Seasons - The Book of Revelation FOR TODAY 