Lesson 8 (2)
Christ describes himself to this church: “ ‘The words of the holy one’ ” (3:7b). The word holy (HAGIOS, hag’-ee-os) means separate, set apart, or undefiled by the world. The holiness of Christ, who is God in flesh and blood, is our Model. Why, according to 1 Peter 1:15?
Christ’s awesome power is seen when He says He is the one “ ‘who has the key of David’ ” (3:7d). This refers to Isaiah 22:22, when Eliakim (ih-lye’-uh-kim) is given the key to the house of David during the reign of King Hezekiah. This gave Eliakim access to all the wealth and power of the king. The key of David refers to Christ’s power and authority. Therefore, what does Christ say (3:7e)?
Christ is the One who opens the door of salvation and the doors of ministry opportunities. Therefore, when we feel like God can’t accomplish much through us because we don’t have great talents, we need to remember Moses at the burning bush. He tells God he isn’t an eloquent speaker and is slow of speech. God replies by asking Moses who made his mouth (Ex 4:10–11). What does God next say to Moses in Exodus 4:12?
In our day of mega churches and big-name pastors with huge TV ministries, those of us who serve in smaller churches can sometimes feel discouraged. Jesus wants us to know our spiritual success is not mesured by the size of the church we attend or our own personal abilities. Spiritual success is determined by His power. What matters is not the size of your church or your spiritual gifts; it is the size of your God! In the words of the old hymn, “Little is much when God is in it.” Don’t feel cheated because you don’t attend a mega church with a famous pastor. Instead, feel blessed you serve the all-powerful Lord Jesus, who has the key of David. When you wonder what God can do with ordinary you or your small church, remember what fact about God in 1 Corinthians 1:27b?
Our Lord continues, “ ‘I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name’ ” (3:8c). This doesn’t mean the believers in Philadelphia were weak in faith, but they were small in number and resources. The believers in Philadelphia were faithful followers of Christ because they kept His word and had not denied His name in spite of enduring the same terrible persecution the other churches were facing. Therefore, they could say what words in Job 23:12a?
Christ continues, “ ‘Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth’ ” (3:10). This promise extends beyond the church at Philadelphia to all faithful believers of all times. The Lord Jesus will keep them and all true believers from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world. This probably refers to the Great Tribulation described in chapters 6–19, because what does Christ say next (3:11a)?
Our Lord continues: “ ‘Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown’ ” (3:11b). The crown doesn’t refer to salvation but to rewards. There are several different kinds of rewards, called “crowns,” in the New Testament. Examples are: the crown of life (Jas. 1:12) and the crown of glory (1 Pet. 5:4). The crown Jesus refers to here is probably the crown described in 2 Timothy 4:8. What reward, or crown, will all who love and eagerly await His coming receive (2 Timothy 4:8a)?
Christ concludes this letter with a word of comfort about His final plan for all faithful believers. “ ‘The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God’ ” (3:12a). The temple of my God refers to heaven. The word pillar symbolizes permanence and stability. The Philadelphian believers lived in constant fear of earthquakes and tremors that would destroy their homes. They, and we also, are comforted by knowing we will have a wonderful, permanent, safe home in heaven. Summarizing Psalm 31:20; Isaiah 52:15; 64:4 & 65:17, what does Paul write about God’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:9b–c)
Our Lord also says He will write on believers His “ ‘new name’ ” (3:12f). The new name suggests that in heaven we will know the glorified Christ as He really is. In this life, we can never fully comprehend the glorified Savior in all His heavenly splendor. Therefore, what does 1 John 3:2c–d tell us will happen when Christ appears?