Bible Society of South Africa
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Seven days of inspiration from Revelation
Seven days of inspiration from Revelation - Day 6
Gerhard Lindeque

Seven days of inspiration from Revelation - Day 6

I will keep you safe

Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli

IsAmbulo 3

7“Nakuyo ingelosi yebandla laseFiladelfiya loba ukuthi:

“Nakhu akushoyo ongcwele, oqinisileyo, onesihluthulelo sikaDavide, ovula kungavali muntu, novalayo kungavuli muntu, uthi: 8Ngiyayazi imisebenzi yakho; bheka, ngimisile phambi kwakho umnyango ovuliweyo, ongenakuvalwa muntu, ngokuba unamandla amancane, kanti waligcina izwi lami, kawuliphikanga igama lami. 9Bheka, ngiyakubakhipha esinagogeni* likaSathane abazishaya abaJuda bengesibo, kepha beqamba amanga; bheka, ngiyakubenza ukuba beze bakhuleke phambi kwezinyawo zakho, bazi ukuthi ngikuthandile. 10Ngokuba ulilondile izwi lokubekezela kwami, nami-ke ngiyakukulonda ngehora lokulingwa eliyakufika ezweni lonke lokulinga bonke abakhileyo emhlabeni.

11“Ngiyeza masinyane; bambisisa lokho onakho, ukuze kungabikho muntu okwamuka umqhele wakho. 12Onqobayo ngiyakumenza abe yinsika ethempelini likaNkulunkulu wami, futhi akasoze aphuma khona; ngiyakuloba negama likaNkulunkulu wami phezu akhe, negama lomuzi kaNkulunkulu wami, iJerusalema elisha elehla ezulwini kuNkulunkulu wami, negama lami elisha. 13Onendlebe makezwe lokho akushoyo uMoya emabandleni.

IsAmbulo 3:7-13ZUL59NOVula kumfundi weBhayibheli

The key that belonged to David in this passage probably refers to Isaiah 22:22, where Eliakim is given the responsibility of controlling the entrance to the king’s palace in Jerusalem. Through Jesus Christ, we now get free access to the kingdom of God. Jesus Christ is the key that makes it possible for people to be part of God’s kingdom. The consolation for the church is that nothing or no one can close this door again. What Jesus Christ has done, cannot be undone.

The synagogue of Satan refers to people who are enemies of God and his church. In the first century after Christ there were, among others, also Jews who persecuted the church. They believed that they were the true people of God. However, the church, that is all who believe in Jesus Christ, are God’s people. We are still part of God’s people today; this is precisely why we can expect hostility and opposition.

The expression “I will keep you” is used three times in this passage. First, it is used as a confirmation that the believers held unto Jesus Christ’s message of perseverance in times of suffering, then as a promise that God will keep them safe in difficult times and, finally, as a call to the church to hold on to their crown – indicating that we share in the kingdom of God.

Suffering and trials are part of every believer’s life. God does not promise that we will not suffer, but that he will keep us safe and be with us. We, as his church, live in anticipation of Jesus’ return. It gives us hope. We are important to God. Like a pillar in the temple, God is always in our presence. He has a personal and intimate relationship with us because we each get a new name from God. It makes us people with a new identity, who live differently.

Think about:

  1. 1.Is it always easy to be part of God’s kingdom?
  2. 2.What change should it make to our lives?

Bible Society of South Africav.4.26.9
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