Thank God Today!
"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also
will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon
the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth."
Revelation 3: 10
Every day in courtrooms, individuals breathe a sigh of relief when
a judgment or sentence is not levied upon them for some reason.
A judge chooses to dismiss the charge for any number of possible
reasons. Relief, joy, gratitude—the response of the defendant is
overwhelming.
Perhaps that's how the church in the ancient city of Philadelphia
responded when apostle John delivered a message from Christ
telling they would be spared from the hour of judgment coming
upon the whole world. Were they sinless? No—the reason was
that they had persevered patiently and faithfully in the face of
persecution.
In the scheme of biblical interpretation, the church at Philadelphia
is a picture of the modern Church in our current age. What applied
to that church applies to us. Because, in the words of the apostle
Paul, “God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation”
(1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Thank God today that Jesus Christ bore our judgment
on a cross that we might inherit salvation through Him.
"God’s wrath is his righteousness
reacting against unrighteousness."
J. I. Packer
