In the letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13, we read the second of two letters that contains only praise and encouragement from Jesus for the church. Although the church in Philadelphia looked weak, it was actually strong, because it had done the one simple thing that all churches and all Christians must do: keep Christ’s word. Jesus’ instruction to them (and to us) was correspondingly simple: hold on to what you have.
As Paul waited in prison, he was able to rejoice in two certain outcomes because of his view of life and death.
In a second vision, Daniel saw into the future when the Jews would need to remain faithful under terrible persecution.
As he does in different ways throughout history, God has made the Church his people and his dwelling place.
