What Have We Become 11

Jesus, Our Sovereign Door

Text: Revelation 3:7-13

Introduction

Facts about Philadelphia:

On the imperial post road, Philadelphia was 25–30 miles southeast of Sardis. It was founded in the second century B.C. by Attalus II, who named it Philadelphos (“brother-love”) because of his love for a brother named Eumenes. Gwyn Pugh, “Commentary on the Book of Revelation,” in 1, 2, 3 John & Revelation, ed. Robert E. Picirilli, First Edition., The Randall House Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Randall House, 2010), 191.

Its most important natural feature was the volcanically enriched soil around the valley, making it ideal for vineyards (Mounce 98). Predictably, its major cult was to Dionysus, Anatolian bull god. The cult following this god justified immorality when done in connection with worship. Gwyn Pugh, “Commentary on the Book of Revelation,” in 1, 2, 3 John & Revelation, ed. Robert E. Picirilli, First Edition., The Randall House Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Randall House, 2010), 192.

It suffered (like Sardis) destruction during the earthquake of A.D. 17. It was rebuilt at a smaller scale.

Renamed “Neocaesares” in honor of Tiberius.

During the reign of Nero (A.D. 54-68) “Philadelphia” was restored. Later to be renamed again to “Flavia.”

Philadelphia is an outpost town settlement at the entrance of the land routes to the east.

Don’t lose sight of the turning point from this church’s ministry (v9)

1) Jesus’ Characteristics (v7)

God is the holy one

God is the true one

Christ has the keys to the nation of Israel, Kingdom of God, Gentiles, the church, eternity in Heaven and even Hell.

Jesus has absolute authority over all things.

2) Jesus’ Commendation (v8-9)

“opens and shuts doors” — Jews may exclude from their synagogue, but Jesus is the only one who can include or exclude from His Kingdom.

(1) Philadelphia had been founded to export Greek culture into Phrygia and further. Jesus could have meant for the church to seize the opportunity to spread the gospel throughout their region.

Acts 14:27 “27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”

1 Corinthians 16:9 “9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”

2 Corinthians 2:12 “12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,”

(2) Jesus could also be referencing Himself as the “open door” unto eternal life.

John 10:9 “9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”

He is the door and possess all the keys!

“Have set” — We see how Jesus exercises His sovereignty over when and where the gospel is to travel.

“They have little strength”

This should be seen in a positive way!

What could this mean?

Material poverty or low social class, or number of people.

The revelation they are receiving is much larger than they are.

It may be “smaller” compared to others, however, Jesus speaks of an existing good characteristic of the church.

This could have been a result of their public confession of Christ.

Four of the other churches were far wealthier, yet less faithful.

There is not always a correlation between the two realities.

“They have kept His word”

This could be amplified to mean the “word of His patience” (v10).

Question — Can you imagine the glorified Christ having that opinion of our church!

“They have not denied His name”

Upon discovery to the Roman authorities and on pain of death, a believer could be asked to confess Caesar as Lord and thus deny Christ. Gwyn Pugh, “Commentary on the Book of Revelation,” in 1, 2, 3 John & Revelation, ed. Robert E. Picirilli, First Edition., The Randall House Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Randall House, 2010), 194.

Hebrews 11:35 “35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:”

Economic boycott and material poverty: Christians were often perceived as unpatriotic, disloyal, unsociable, or simply “strange” for not participating in pagan activities. Gwyn Pugh, “Commentary on the Book of Revelation,” in 1, 2, 3 John & Revelation, ed. Robert E. Picirilli, First Edition., The Randall House Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Randall House, 2010), 194.

1 Peter 4:3–4 “3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: 4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:”

3) Jesus’ Concern (v9-10)

Was not about anything internal, but only about the church’s enemy; unbelieving Jews who appeared but were not Christians.

Jesus describes them as the “Synagogue of Satan.”

John 8:44 “44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”

Because of their faithful perseverance, Jesus has promised to “keep them” from a particular time of trial in the future.

“all the world” — Jesus has looked far beyond their current situation.

2 Peter 3:10–13 “10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”

Romans 8:19–22 “19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.”

“to try” (to test)

Refine genuine character or reveal flaws.

The faithful (converted during the Tribulation period) will experience their character being perfected.

The un-repented will confirm God’s justice be poured out on them.

Revelation 9:20–21 “20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”

“Shall come” = is about to come!

4) Jesus’ Compensation (v11-12)

This is speaking to those how have the ability in Christ to “overcome.”

“Overcoming” = the ability to persevere, to endure a heavy load for an extended period of time; to defeat v. — to win a victory over, as in a contest or military conflict.

What does a persevering life look like?

Those who remain faithful to Christ.

Those who chase after what brings them closer to Christ.

God is opening doors for them to evangelize.

They will have a “victor’s crown.”

Philippians 4:1 “1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

1 Thessalonians 2:19 “19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”

2 Timothy 4:8 “8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

James 1:12 “12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Anything that can be WON can also be LOST!

LISTEN…Your enemies are aggressive, militant, and opportunistic.

BE ON GUARD!!!

“Pillars in the temple of God” — to display God’s strength down here, God will display you in such a way to reward you and glorify His strength throughout eternity.

“He shall go no more out” — To be with Jesus is to speak of eternity with Jesus!

“New names”

“Name of God” = speaks of ownership.

“Jerusalem” = speaks of citizenship.

“Jesus’ new name” = identification with Christ.

How and where these will be written on each believer’s glorified body or clothing is not indicated; what is paramount is the truth thus represented. Gwyn Pugh, “Commentary on the Book of Revelation,” in 1, 2, 3 John & Revelation, ed. Robert E. Picirilli, First Edition., The Randall House Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Randall House, 2010), 197.

5) Jesus’ Challenge (v13)

Don’t forget what God’s Spirit has just promised!

Conclusion

Little is much when God is in it. God often does great and mighty things through small groups.

We should learn to be thankful for the numbers God has given and not frustrated by what He has not given.

Someone wisely said, “God does not have as many people in Heaven as He would like to have.”

We must not be satisfied by smallness, but neither should we be unthankful and feel powerless. Gwyn Pugh, “Commentary on the Book of Revelation,” in 1, 2, 3 John & Revelation, ed. Robert E. Picirilli, First Edition., The Randall House Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Randall House, 2010), 198.

Let us seek God’s opportunities for us to spread His gospel further!

God creates, sustains, and offers them to us in spite of us.

Jesus is the door with all the keys!

Earn the victor’s crown and let no enemy take it from you!!!