Keep the Word!

Keep the Word!

The angel of the church in Philadelphia had a little strength; nevertheless he had kept God’s Word. So it is possible. If someone does not keep God’s Word, it is because he doesn’t have a mind to do it; you cannot keep the Word without forsaking everything. Whatever the person has not forsaken becomes like thorns that choke the Word. The Word cannot grow together with the lusts of the world and the pride of life, because then the Word is choked. If you see or hear someone who preaches God’s Word, but who loves money and seeks honor, you should also know that there will be no fruit from what he preaches or what the people hear. In our days Jesus’ word about forsaking everything, taking up your cross, and denying yourself is rarely mentioned. Just pay attention and you will awaken to this truth. This is why there is so little fruit in life and work in spite of all the preaching. They say they are Christians, but they are liars. They are the synagogue of Satan.

“But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.” Luke 8:15. This is a heart that wants just one thing—to do God’s will and keep it. It is precisely this that is of such great significance. The angel in Philadelphia had done this, which is why there was an open door before him which no one could shut, and because of it he was to be kept from the hour of trial which was going to come over the whole world. This is also how he came to be a pillar in God’s temple, and God wrote His name and the name of the New Jerusalem on him.

Here we can see that everything depends on keeping God’s Word. Your works are evidence of whether you do it or not. The first thing that was said to the angel was, “I know your works.”

Many people can be very strong because of their oratorical gifts, their doctrine, their many members, a well-appointed meeting hall, capable musicians, money, etc. But what good is all that if they do not keep God’s Word? They may have a reputation of being alive, but they are dead. They can say they are rich and satisfied, but what good is that if God spews them out of His mouth? Rev. 3:1, 16. On the other hand, if you have a little strength and no external glory, but you keep God’s Word, then the door is opened; you are kept from the hour of trial, and you will gain great strength. Your strength will be so great that those from the synagogue of Satan will come and fall down before you. However, it will be somewhat late for them, because by then God will have delivered those who have kept His Word from tribulation. The others will be left behind. We can gather this from the parable of the ten virgins. Five of them acknowledged their state in the end, but they came to a closed door which no one could open.

So what is it that really matters? What is it that fills my heart? Is it important to gather large crowds, have a large meeting hall, nice music, be acknowledged by other religious groups, and have large collections? Not at all! Make sure that your heart is never weighed down by such thoughts. Be occupied with one thing only, which is to keep God’s Word. Then you will also be acknowledged, but you can be sure that that won’t happen before you are raptured.

It doesn’t help if you speak prophetically, do great works, and drive out evil spirits in Jesus’ name; if you have committed unrighteousness, you will have to depart. Only those who do the will of God abide forever. 1 John 2:17.

Read what love is and does. 1 Cor. 13:4-8. You are nothing if you do not have this love even if you have the largest crowd in front of your pulpit or you are the leader of a charitable organization. For you to lay hold of the love Paul speaks about, you have to go into the death of Christ with your entire “I.” No one is deceived on this way. But your “I” can grow both larger and stronger behind the pulpit or as a music leader or as the head of some kind of mission or similar endeavor. This is quite evident. The more they advance, the more they bear the marks of the world. You can see it by the way they dress, their hair styles, and their entire conduct that they have become “somebody.” It’s about time that God’s people are alerted to these synagogues of Satan before it is too late.

“‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Eph. 5:31-32.

This is truly a great mystery. In Christ the Word became flesh. The seed is the Word, and it received a body in the person of Christ. The Word was personified in Christ. The same thing has to happen in you if you want to be His bride. You must keep the Word that has been sown into your heart until it bears fruit. The fruit is the works that are done by your body. Then the Word has become flesh in you. It has been personified in you. If we have become one Spirit with Him, then this Spirit will also lead us so that we become one flesh with Him. This is the only way in which we can be one with Jesus and with each other. All other oneness is deception, and all other glory is the glory of the world.

But who saw Jesus’ glory? Isa. 53:2-3; 1 Cor. 2:7-8. When He breathed His last on the cross, they said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” At that point it was too late to receive that understanding.

Therefore don’t be concerned with people seeing your glory. Simply let the cross do its work in your life, and keep the Word. Then God will write His name on you and make you a pillar in His temple.