In my last commentary, I mentioned something President Bush said at his recent press conference. Bush said, before 9/11 America wasn't on a war footing. But, America's enemies were. And if you recall, I compared what he said about America to us Christians. I said we no longer are on a war footing, but our enemies are.

This morning I again read Jesus' letters to His seven churches in Asia Minor. Since Jesus ends each letter by saying, "Hear what the Spirit says to the churches," I have always sensed an importance to these letters we should take seriously.

As I thought about the letters, I thought about my Website. If you go to the discussion board, you will find believers in Jesus there from all around the world and every denomination. That's when it struck me: FuflilledProphecy.com is becoming an online community of believers who, in a spiritual way, represent all seven of those ancient churches in Asia Minor.

For example, some attend churches who may hold to sound doctrine, but may have lost their first love. Others may attend churches who teach Balaam's politically inspired doctrines, or the Nicolaitans' new version of their old heresy, the New Apostolic Reformation Movement.

Every time I read these seven letters, one stands out in my mind. It's Jesus' letter to the church of Philadelphia. You see, Jesus promises something to this church He doesn't promise to the others. He promises to keep them from the hour of testing that's coming on the earth. In other words, He promises to keep this church from suffering the Great Tribulation. Let's look at what Jesus says to the church of Philadelphia.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: "I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name."

Here Jesus tells this church, because they have been faithful, He has given them an open door. I recall when the Apostle Paul talked about an open door for the Gospel. We need to pray for an open door for our ministry -- a door no man can shut.

Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie -- I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.

Here Jesus is encouraging these Christians to hold fast to the true Gospel of Jesus. At the time they they were being persecuted by some Jewish religious leaders. Today, our persecutors may include Islamic and false Christian leaders. No matter where it comes from, we need to remember Jesus' words here and hold fast.

Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Here Jesus is talking about the Great Tribulation. He's telling this church He will keep them from having to go through it. I don't know about you, but I want to be like the believers in this church! I, for one, don't want to go through the Great Tribulation.

Jesus ends the letter by telling this church, if it holds fast, it will have a wonderful reward waiting in the end. He says:.

I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, (the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches "(Revelation 3:7-13).

Brothers and sisters, there are signs that indicate we may live to see the final events of end-times Bible prophecy. If so, now more then ever we need to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. And, we want to conform ourselves to be like the church of Philadelphia.

Always keep in mind, no matter what church you attend, Jesus' offer is always to the individual. We know this because, Jesus ended his letter to the luke warm church of Laodicea by saying:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Like I said, these words were addressed to the individual -- not the church. And Jesus ended His letter by saying something for the seventh time. He said:

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Revelation 3: 20-22).

In other words, Jesus wants us to stay tuned.

To Him.