Revelation 3:7-13
Notes
Transcript
Please pray with me
If you are able - please stand for the reading of God’s word. Revelation 3:7-13
Revelation 3:7–13 (CSB)
Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens: I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. 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. Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
Please have a seat
Hey Friends - so glad you could join us this Sunday at the Seed Community Church. We are continuing our sermon series on Revelation today - and I want to remind us as to why. Why should we spend so much time on a book that historically throughout Christianity has just been fraught with confusion?
Well the snarky part of me wants to just say because it’s God’s word and let that be that. But on a more real level - I’ve considered our whole study summarized by this phrase: “Hope for the church in Exile.”
When things in our country and globally feel tumultuous - we need to remember and hold to the hope we have in JEsus Christ. That is why we are studying this book. Jesus is in control. And it’s also God’s word - so that;s that!
As we move to the pastoral prophetic message to the Church in Philadelphia, Lets look at the map of the seven churches again *map*
This Philadelphia is located in Asia Minor, and NOT in Pennsylvania. They just share the same name.
Philadelphia in this context was south east of Sardis, and about sixty miles east of Smyrna. It sat at the food of the Tmolus mountains.
Some historians and scholars have believed that Philadelphia was established specifically to hellenize the region - meaning it was created as an outpost to spread greek thought and culture in mid second century BC.
It was located in an extremely earthquake prone area - which lead to the city being all but completely destroyed by an earthquake in AD17 - to such an extent where the emperor actually told them they didn’t have to pay taxes for five years. What a gift! This made the locals care a lot for the emperors and they seemed very sympathetic to the emperor cults.
Historians write how the Philadelphian walls were constantly cracked due to the shaking earth - and a lot of people chose to live out of the city in the fertile country side as it was safer.
We do have some remains of the pillars of the city and it’s walls - but again, it’s almost all completely ruined from a history of earthquakes.
*vineyard photo* A primary crop was grapes and vineyards were, and are, a huge part of the economy. Perhaps just a few years prior to the writing of this book of Revelation - depending on when we date it - but the emperor Domitian in AD 92 caused great economic disaster on this town as he ordered an empire wide edict that All grape production must be HALVED in order to force farmers to produce crops to feed his armies. You could se how this would devastate the local economy which depended on vineyards.
So on one hand they loved the emperor from the past provisions - and on the other the empire had caused great harm.
All in a place where there is a feeling that it is insecure - unsafe.
with that - let’s look at verse 7
Revelation 3:7 (CSB)
“Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens:
After the customary greeting to the angel of the church - we get a description of Jesus. This one is perhaps the most unique so far as we compare it to previous. Where most are almost direct quotes and references back to the vision of Christ in Revelation 1 - this one is more of an allusion back to Revelation 1 as it adds and colors much beyond that.
First - thus says the Holy One , The True One.
The Title Holy One is certainly one of messianic fulfilment - we see this in Mark 1:24
Mark 1:24 (CSB)
“What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
Luke 4:34 (CSB)
“Leave us alone! What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
John 6:69 (CSB)
We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
And in the context of the Old Testament, Isaiah in particular, Holy is used almost exclusively for Yahweh. So in John’s high Christological fashion - Jesus is assuming the role of Yahweh, and from John’s lens, his followers are the true israel. Something that will continue to be fleshed out through Revelation.
Then he says the True One. GK Beale suggests that the truth carries the idea of JEsus being the TRUE messiah - even though he was rejected by the jews as a false messiah - in reality - he is the True One. The King. The Annointed One. Not just over Israel, but the whole earth is his.
Going back to verse 7
“Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens:
We then see that JEsus is the one who has the keys, now this is very similar to Revelation 1:18, if we want to put it up, but it has some differences. In chapter 1 he writes that he has the keys of death and HAdes
Revelation 1:18 (CSB)
and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Where looking at 3:7 he has the key of David.
This is a clear reference to Isaiah 22:22 which in context is talking about Eliakim. Eliakim serves as a prophetic type of Christ. Where in the Old Testament, Eliakim was to rule over ISrael - JEsus now rules over the Church. all those who follow the high King.
Isaiah 22:22 (CSB)
I will place the key of the house of David on his shoulder; what he opens, no one can close; what he closes, no one can open.
We we look at Revelation 1 and Revelation 3 in tandem, we see just how magnificient Scripture declares Jesus to be.
He has authority over salvation and judgment - but ALSO he is the one who determine who will enter the kingdom. This reminds me of Jesus own words in John 10:9 where he says
John 10:9 (CSB)
I am the gate. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.
Only Christ determines who is and isn’t welcome in the kingdom of God. He is Holy, and True, and he has the keys. He sits on the throne of David for all eternity.
Now we get to the examination of the Philadelphian works. Verse 8
Revelation 3:8 (CSB)
I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Jesus examines what they are doing - first, note that they have little power, yet they have not denied the name of Jesus. This will expand in the following verse, but the idea is faithfulness even though they have little.
Like Smyrna another church that had little, yet JEsus says they have much - we see the Philadelphians now being given an open door! Not just an open door, but one that no one can close. It’s held open by Jesus himself.
Scholars are not certain on what exactly this open door means. there are 2 main ideas: one being an open door into the kingdom. No matter what happens, Jesus will give them an open door that no one can shut - for they are faithful.
The other idea is that Jesus will give them an open door to greater mission and evangelism. In the greater New Testament context open doors can relate to that over greater mission and engagement. And it fits, perhaps, the local city as they were considered an outpost of Hellenism, that now Christ is going to entrust them with greater mission.
And maybe it’s both! There is nothing in the text that demands us limit this allusion to one specific answer. I think the most important thing to note is that although they are weak in the ways of the World - Jesus is going to be the one to lead them into more. More kingdom. More abiding with JEsus. More Engagement.
Look at verse 9 with me
Revelation 3:9 (CSB)
Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.
Just like the message to the church in Smyrna - we see Jesus talk about those who are from the synagogue of Satan - those who claim to be JEws and are not.
And then Jesus continues with an allusion to the Prophet ISaiah - like a lot in this letter. he could be alluding to Isaiah 45:14, or 49:23,or 60:14,
Look at the last one in Isaiah 60:14 just for context.
Isaiah 60:14 (CSB)
The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet. They will call you the City of the Lord, Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
So in Isaiah - he’s writing to the israelites about the nations, the gentile oppressors will eventually come and bow down to the JEws. And they will fall at their feat - and they will know that THEY are the city of the Lord - Zion.
But in Revelation 3:9 we see that Jesus through John is taking this and applying it to the Church!
Remember - the early church was made up of jewish people - and the earliest christians, followers of the way, believed and saw their faith not as distinct from Judaism but rather the fruition of it. The anointed one had come, as the prophets predicted, in the line of david, and then the gospel of that arrival was presented first to the jews, but then to the gentiles.
But the Christians didn’t see this as a new religion! Rather the gentiles were being granted access into the vine by grace through faith in Jesus Christ - the king of not only the jews - but the supreme over all.
And for the first many decades the earliest christians still participated in jewish services in synagogues, feasts, practices, etc. They preached JEsus as the fulfillment of the scriptures as the messiah.
And from a Roman Perspective especially at first, they saw them as the same, with Christians just being a sect of Judaism. Which allowed Christians to enjoy much of the legal protections afforded to judaism - remember there was no religious freedom in the roman empire unless you were an authorized religion.
But as Christianity started to spread more and more and gain in popularity, and especially after the destruction of the temple in AD 70, there seemed to be increasing drive for the jewish people to distinguish themselves from the christians.
And so what was likely happening here, as in Smyrna was the jewish population in Philadelphia was accusing and ratting on the christians in their midst to the roman authorities when it came to avoiding the imperial cult, pagan worship etc. The jewish community had freedom to do that under roman law - but the christians did not - and the Jewish people started RATTING on the christian and accusing them - thus the association with Satan, or the accuser.
Jesus is reminding the church though, that in the end, because those who are redeemed in Christ are ONE with him by grace and imputed righteousness, that all the others will come bow down before them! for they will recognize and adore the chosen people of the king of the universe. Even if those people are ethnically jewish - they must know Jesus to be in.
He is the ONLY name by which we can be saved. There is only One God and ONE mediator between God and MAn, JEsus Christ.
This means that the philadelphian Christians were being persecuted by the romans for their decision to not participate in idolatry - and were likely suffering finacial and physical consequences.
But Look Jesus has more encouragement.
Revelation 3:10 (CSB)
Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
Now this verse may be one of the most controversial verses in all of Revelation, especially in some circles. In fact every commentary i studied regarding this passage had an extended section attached to this verse for greater discussion with what this is and isn’t.
In it’s immediate context its a clear promise to the philadelphian believers that Jesus is going to to keep them from an hour of testing that is about to hit the whole world (perhaps the inhabited world or Roman World).
This verse has been where some believers who hold to a classic dispensational theology would located the pre-tribulation rapture in Revelation, but even more progressive dispensational thinkers don’t look at this verse as evidence for pre-trib rapture.
I think taking that reading is unlikely, as i think it ignores the context and would have provided the philadelphians in their time zero comfort in their current predicament.
One of the first rules of hermeneutics (which is the technical term for interpretation of a text) is What did it mean to the original audience? We have to answer that well before we get to “What does it mean for me today? That’s not to say there cannot be dual fulfillment of prophecy but I agree with Tim Dwyer that we should expect the promise to be something that would directly impact the people of first century Philadelphians.
It’s worth noting - that there is no actual mention of a seven-year (or three and a half year) tribulation in the book of Revelation. That view comes from harmonizing it with other passages of scritpure like Daniel. Nor does the term anti-Christ appear in the book of Revelation. That comes from 1 John.
So we need to evaluate the book on it’s own feet first.
If the book was written toward the end of the first century - this is my view, say around 95 AD under the emperor Domitian - then this reference to coming testing likely refers to the rising crisis and demands for emperor worship in Asia Minor that we know increased under Domitian.
Regardless - we have to see that Jesus is trying to encourage real believers on the ground in a real place in history that they need to hold on to being faithful, and that Jesus will keep them from the hour of testing. It’s specific to them, with implications for us.
Beyond that - the word keep out - in greek is tereso ek - needs some definition. For it’s not a common phrase - and it’s only used in one other place in the NEw Testament - that’s John 17:15
John 17:15 (CSB)
I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
Tereso Ek in JOhn 17:15 is that they would be protected form - or kept from the enemy - not taken out of the world.
Therefore - I’d posit that the hope for the philadelpians in Revelation isn’t that God will snatch the philadelphian believers from the earth - but rather that they will be kept from the power of Satan and world from overwhelming the,. God will protect them.
ALSO in all of these messages - we need to remember that it’s not physical earthly wellness that Jesus is truly after - it’s deeper and more real - JEsus will hold our souls fast and secure even when things seem to be falling apart. We, by grace, hold onto JEsus and he will keep us safe from all harm and we will be remembered by him and on his lips when all things are made new!
In all of the messages, where one can get lost in exegetical arguments, calculations and timetables, we should remember that the it’s the Philadelphians faithful living that would be seen and affirmed by God and then they will receive spiritual protection.
Therefore, we get to verse 11
Revelation 3:11 (CSB)
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.
I am coming soon - the earliest believers, i’d argue every dynamic generation of missional christians held firm to the imminent return of JEsus. Meaning Jesus says he’s coming soon - he could very well return in our lives. This should give us hope, and courage to hold on to faith - for there is glory on the horizon.
This should give us courage to press on - to share our faith - to do the work of the kingdom. For the king is coming back soon - so let’s get to work.
Interesting to note - so that no one takes your crown - or no one takes your wreath. The crown of leaves was an award for atheletes in the greco roman games and the olymipics - but look at the tense of the words here - so that no one takes your crown.
So it’s not that you are fighting to earn your crown - right? You already HAVE IT. IF you are in Jesus, he has given his rightesouness, his life, his reign, to us. Which is WILD. And we have that salvation NOW. Not it’s not fully consummated - that will come at the end when Jesus returns - but friend, you are in Christ now. Seated with Christ in the heavens in a spiritual, reality. So hold onto the reality and the authority of Jesus that was won and secured for you through the life death and resurrection of JEsus Christ!
You may at times feel you have nothing. That the world is falling a part. That your body and mind are breaking. The bank acount is dwindling. The empire is failing.
But we have the secure and glorious hope of God in us. We are a new creation. We will live with our God forever. Glory to God! For while we were still sinners Christ died for us! And he made us new.
Now we get to the promise to the one who conquers, or overcomes.
Revelation 3:12 (CSB)
“The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. 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.
Think about how insecure the location of Philadelphia was, with their constant earth quakes. Where people felt more safe out of the city then in due to the collapsing walls. And especially for Christians with little means and persecution rising - there was no security for them.
This image is first and foremost one of permanence and stability. And pillars in temples in ancient places regularly held inscriptions and names on them.
This is stating that not only will those who overcome, holding onto Jesus, no only will they be invited into the household of Jesus and his temple - we will be a PART of it.
And in a very real way - we are a part of it now. A temple of God. The priesthood of believers. What we do when we gather as a church is deeply spiritual and transcends our physical perspective.
All of these promises in verse twelve will find their fulfillment and greater explanation toward the end of the book.
Revelation 3:13 (CSB)
“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
This verse brings us right to our question that we like to end with every week:
So What?
Friends - the Philadelphians are commended by the Lord without and condemnation - partly for they are distinct from the pagan culture. They haven’t compromised or defiled their clothes. They haven’t forgotten their first love. They are living in step with the Spirit.
Part of faithful living - as Craig Keener writes, means we will be excluded from circles that mean a lot to us - perhaps even from our families.
The early church still largely participated in the jewish worship and the synagogue - but in Philadelphia and Smyrna, the jews had expelled the Christians from their synagogues.
This undoubtably caused pain and severed relationships.
What we need to do is to abide, or remain in Christ, and be dependent on God.
We should not be people in love with independence. In stead we must be constantly dependent in Jesus.
In Philadelphia the church had little power, little influence, perhaps little money - but that lead them to rely on God and Christ opened the door for them.
To look at Psalm 51:17 again
Psalm 51:17 (CSB)
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit. You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.
We come to Christ as weary beggars, and he meets us in grace.
The idea is that he will give us what we need in and through the trial. And hje will vindicate his people.
This should give us great hope, but also we must recognize the need to Perservere. Keep coming back to Christ. Bring what you got - even if it’s not much. Even if its very little. For it’s Jesus that is answer - but he partners with us.
I can’t help but think of John 6 - where Jesus is teaching on a mountain side, and there are thousands who’ve come to listen - and he tellls his disciples to feed them. And they’re indignant. Philip even said that it would take six months pay to feed all the people!
But there was a boy, with five small loaves and 2 small fish, and he offered that to the Lord - and through that measly little meal - JEsus fed the lot AND THEN some.
Remember friends - don’t give up hope. Look at JEsus, and bring what you’ve got. And trust him.
Lastly - one of the sustaining hopes we have is the participation we have in the temple of God, and his church.
Craig Keener writes this - and I think it’s beautiful
“Never are we as close yo our eternal destiny as when we are glorifying God by worshiping or by inviting others to recognize his greatness.”
I love that. And to clarify, as Keener does in his commentary - that doesn’t mean that worship is merely what it often passes for it in our churches. For we can sing good songs, and get all sorts of emotive feelings without actually recognizing the object of worship to which our songs and hymns summon us.
Worship MUST involve seeing God and recognizing Jesus work and identity. Therefore we fall in love with the Lord, not just the music, or the emotions that come.
For when we actually see what God is like - how can we help but worship him?
I think of the song by Matt Redman - heart of worship:
“When the music fades All is stripped away And I simply come
Longin' just to bringSomething that's of worthThat will bless Your heart
I'll bring You more than a songFor a song in itselfIs not what You have required
You search much deeper within Through the ways things appearYou're looking into my heart
I'm comin' back to the heart of worship And it's all about You It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it When it's all about You It's all about You, Jesus.
What a good song. that points us back to Christ.
Because in the end we recognize that we are welcomed into the family of God and into right standing with God by no merit of our own - but only by the blood and righteousness of JESus that we access by grace through faith.
And so the call at the end, my friends - is to hold on. And know that Jesus is holding onto us too.
John 10:27–30 (CSB)
My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
There is no greater way to celebrate and remember the reconciliation we have, then in the lords Supper.
*move to communion*
