Times and Seasons – The Book of Revelation FOR TODAY

by Bruce D. McClellan ©️2026, 2025

See also: “Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus”

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38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 ESV

A Healthy Church and A Crown – Revelation 3

What constitutes a healthy church?

The Philadelphia church in Asia Minor exhibited pleasing qualities to God, as highlighted by the glorified Christ to the apostle John in 95 AD:

8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.  Revelation 3:8-11 (NLT)

What are some qualities that we can glean from Jesus’ statements?

1)     The Philadelphia church had at least some strength when it came to obeying the word of God.  The church was far from being a spiritual powerhouse, but their work and devotion to Christ were sufficient to be well pleasing in the eyes of the Lord.  We can take solace from the fact that it does not take a herculean effort to please God.  If we put forth some effort, He will be pleased.

2)     The church did not deny the Lord Jesus, even when suffering oppression at the hands of those under the influence of the evil one.  Like the Pharisees in Christ’s day, the worst oppressors had the appearance and title of God’s religious authorities.

3)     The church persevered through tough times.  Despite going through a season of trial for their faith, they did not abandon God or turn away from a devotion to Jesus.  For this reason, God promised to remove them from a future trial of global proportions.  (More on this to come!)

4)     They were in possession of a crown.  These are eternal rewards for works done in the will and power of God.  These crowns were not associated with salvation – Jesus’ believers would enter the heavenly kingdom even if they lost their crown – He has the key.  Christ paid the redemptive price on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead to give new life to people of faith.  But even so, losing one’s crown is a very big deal, one that none of us want to experience.  It is a tremendous possession not to be lost.

We do not want to go the way of Reuben, King Saul, Balaam, Ananias and Saphira, or even King Solomon – all Biblical characters who lost their significant status in the Lord’s eyes by turning their backs on Him in a big way.  But even these great stumbles do not reflect on their salvation – that comes by faith in the Lord.

So one lesson that could be learned from Jesus message, as a church or as an individual, is this –  be faithful to Jesus, seek to serve Him even in our own weak ways, even in times of persecution and trouble, and we will possess an eternal crown along with our justification by faith.

Lesson number two: Do not lose that crown!  If I am headed down an evil path that is taking me further away from the Lord, stop!  Turn around and go back to Him at once.  It may have eternal consequences.

Reflection

We can be drawn away from the Lord through evil temptation that may seem harmless enough at the time.  Jacob’s wife was probably lonely and friendly with Reuben.  King Saul thought he could do things his own way, even when they went against God’s.  Balaam saw riches if he could advise a sneaky way to defeat God’s chosen ones.  Ananias and Saphira could be admired by their church if they lied, even though their lie was to the Holy Spirit.  And King Solomon thought he could keep all his tremendous blessings from the Lord, even though he devoted the later part of his life to worshiping the other gods of his many beautiful wives. 

What attractive temptation is currently trying to lure us away from faithfulness and perseverance to the Lord, and to rob us of our eternal crown?

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a crown of Your glory.  Help us to keep it by staying faithful to You and to persevere in our efforts to follow and serve Jesus on a day-by-day basis.  Keep us from the path that would lead to catastrophic loss of Your gift.  We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.