Revelation 3: Christ of Judah in Philadelphia, Work Your True Name

Rev. Kevin Golden, pastor of Village Lutheran Church in Ladue, Missouri, joins host Rev. AJ Espinosa to study Revelation 3. “You are dead.” “You have kept my word.” “You are wretched, poor, blind, and naked.” The Lord Jesus sees all and knows all, and He knows “the works” of all churches, symbolized in Revelation 3 in the historic churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. We look at some churches and see vitality or an abundance of resources, but all that could be death and poverty from Christ’s perspective. We have to see beyond the “name” of branding and reputation to see the name of identity—only Christ’s Word is gold, and only His life of good works in us is vitality. Although Philadelphia had “but little power,” they were true “Jews,” true members of the tribe of Judah because of Christ “who has the key of David.” Baptism gives us our truest identity in the immovable Christ despite the world’s shifting opinions and appearances.