The Faithful Church

Outline

Big Idea: Jesus is the Holy and True One, who holds the keys of David, whose authority and control is absolute and eternal.

Each of the seven letters has the same elements. (Borrowed from John MacArthur)

The Correspondent

The Church

The City

The Commendation

The Concern

The Command

The Counsel

Introduction

What was the main reason for why Revelation was written?

To show us Jesus

The book is by Christ, for Christ, ABOUT Christ.

What things have you learned about Jesus so far in our study?

He promises blessing to those hear and keep what is written in this book

He is the FAITHFUL WITNESS

He is the firstborn from the dead

He is the ruler of the kings for earth

He loves us

He freed us from our sins by His blood

He has made us a kingdom of priests

To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever

He is coming back in the clouds for EVERY eye to see

All tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him

John describe hims as having the appearance of the Son of Man

He was clothed in a long robe with a golden sash around his chest

His hair was white

His eyes were like flame of fire

His feet were burnished bronze

His voice like the roar of many waters

He held seven stars (the pastors of seven churches, the lampstands) in his hand

Out of his mouth came two-edged sword

He is the first and the last

He is the living one

I died and yet lives forevermore

He has the keys to death and hades

He instructed John to write this book

He knows our works, COMPLETELY and PERFECTLY.

He has the right to command and rebuke us; He possess the perfectly and supreme authority to do so

He has the authority to threaten judgment for our disobedience.

In his holiness, he will judge and rebuke our sin.

He makes promises to those who conquer…promises he has the power and authority to make good on.

He will be faithful to us in persecution

He has power over the devil

He will give the crown of life to those who conquer

He cannot stand false doctrine and teaching.

He cannot stand idolatry and immorality. He will rebuke it.

He will judge those who refuse to repent and turn from sin.

He searches hearts and minds and knows what is in our hearts

He will come at a time when we do not expect, but he is coming for us.

He blesses and rewards those who are faithful and obedience to Him.

Thus far, these are some of the things we have learned about Christ.

And rest assured, we will see some of them again and we will see even more yet.

As we move into his letter to Philadelphia, let’s read it together…

Revelation 3:7-13.

Revelation 3:7–13 ESV

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. 8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. 10 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. 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Once more, we will learn some things about Christ through his letter.

Once again, we will see Jesus in the pages of this text, in the script of this letter to Philadelphia

Philadelphia is THE FAITHFUL Church

Body

What does it mean to be faithful?

Literally, full of faith

Steadfast in affection or allegiance

Firm in adherence to promises or in observance

Given with strong assurance

True to the facts, to a standard

Dependable, trustworthy, reliable

Philadelphia was all of these things.

The Correspondent

Revelation 3:7.

Revelation 3:7 ESV

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

What new things do we learn about Christ from this introduction?

What part of the vision in chapter one does this introduction refer back to?

Unlike the other letters we have studied, this one does NOT begin with a reference back to the vision in chapter one.

Instead, this description is filled with OT references and features.

The Holy One

Isaiah 6:3, among other places, unapologetically, unequivocally declares the holiness of God.

Isaiah 6:1–4 ESV

1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

What does the word “holy” mean?

Sacred, set apart

What does it mean when applied to Christ?

He is THE sacred one. He is THE set apart one.

He is PERFECT and RIGHTEOUS. It is often used to speak to his perfection and purity.

It is meant to show that he is SACRED and set apart, distinct from us and thus to be treated with reverence and respect.

The Title, The Holy One has significance beyond just his sacred otherness…

Mark 1:24 exposes for us that this title, The Holy One is a clear and resounding claim to Messiah.

Mark 1:24 ESV

24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”

This profession was made by demons.

John 6:69, Peter declares their understanding of who Christ was.

John 6:69 ESV

69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Jesus claim to be the Holy One was no less a declaration of His deity then his claiming of the title, I AM.

The words of THE HOLY ONE…aka…the words of the Messiah, the Son of God. The words of God.

This gives weight to his words, as does his description to every other church. You cannot read these letters and come away with a lite view of Christ or of God. If you do, you are not really reading.

What should our response be in light of the holiness of God?

What does it look like, practically speaking, for us to be gripped by the holiness of God day by day?

Isaiah 6 showed us a glimpse of what our response should be.

Worship

Revelation 4 and 5 will shows us glimpse of what it should be.

Worship

Submission

Humility.

What’s more…as He is Holy, we are called to holiness.

As He is holy, so should His church also be.

1 Peter 1:15.

1 Peter 1:13–2:3 ESV

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

His holiness demands we be holy

His holiness invites us to be like him

The call for holiness is a call that demands we give sober care to our hearts and our actions.

We cannot be lax about what our hearts desire

We cannot be lax about what our actions engage in

If holiness is not being reflected in our actions, that it is not being reflected in our hearts.

We tend to want to stroll through life, somewhat lackadaisically, somewhat indifferently, giving little thought or care to our actions or our hearts that drive those actions.

Peter, in his letter…Christ, through Peter, is painting for us a very different story.

We must strive to be holy IN EVERYTHING.

This pursuit will force us to give careful consideration to, not only our actions, but our hearts that drive those actions.

We will live deliberately, purposefully, intentionally WITH HOLINESS and the glory of God in mind, AT ALL TIMES.

His holiness can only fully be valued and appreciated as we strive to be holy, like Him.

The fact that THE HOLY ONE will not rebuke or condemn the church at Philadelphia in any way is THUS no small thing.

The HOLY ONE has no rebuke for this church. That has only happened one other time.

Which church?

Smyrna

And they were, which church?

The Persecuted Church

Not only is Christ the HOLY ONE…

He is…

The True One

True

That is which is real, genuine, authentic

THUS, that which is trustworthy, dependable, reliable.

It is FACT

Satan poses as the ultimate impersonator and who promotes himself as the TRUE ONE. He has led more than one astray with his deceptions.

Satan is a God wannabe. He will masquerade as God, but he is NOT God.

In fact, in just a few verses, Jesus will make mention of those who THINK they are of the true one, who think they are Jews, who think they are worshipping the true one, when in reality, they are of the synagogue of Satan…who are following one who is NOT true.

Revelation 3:9.

Revelation 3:9 ESV

9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

Unfortunately, this was not a new problem.

John 8:39-47.

John 8:39–47 ESV

39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. 41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”

The terrible and sad reality is that there are some today, just as there were then, who THINK they belong to God…when they do not. The lie…and they may not even realize that they die.

They are deceived and do not even realize they are deceived.

Matthew 7:21-23 has these sobering words…

Matthew 7:21–23 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Some will be deceived by the adversary, by man to thinking that they are God’s, when they are not.

This may well be the result of poor teaching and instruction in church, false doctrine, etc.

Some will be self deceived, convincing themselves they belong to God because they judge their standing by the wrong standard.

Some, like the Pharisees will see only their “good works” or the blessings in their life and conclude that they are safe.

But they will be surprised when the time comes.

Our standing in God, our relationship with Christ MUST BE BASED UPON what is true, not what we or other man have made up.

There are many false paths to Christ being taught in the world. ONLY THE BIBLE, only the WORD shows us the right way.

God is, Jesus is the ONLY TRUE one. He is the only authentic one. In stark contrast, Satan purports himself to be the true one, while in fact being the father of lies.

The religious leaders THOUGHT they were being faithful to God, while in fact, they had been led so far astray that they were following Satan himself.

They were deceived

The description in John 8 is much the same as it is here in Revelation 3. There are some who THINK they are of the synagogue of God when they really of Satan’s. Despite having knowledge of truth, knowledge of God, they failed to truly KNOW God and were follower of Satan, even if they did not realize it.

We are told here in Revelation 3 that those who THINK they are of God while really being of the synagogue of Satan, will ultimately bow before those who are rightfully and truthfully part of God’s kingdom.

We will consider more of that his bowing means in a little while, but for now, understand, their bowing represents their acknowledgment of the TRUE ONE in contrast to the reality that they have been bowing to the FALSE one all this time.

God IS TRUE. Is the the ONLY truth and fully reliable source we can trust in.

He is THE HOLY ONE, He is TRUE. He is the one…

Who Has the Key of David, Who Opens and Shuts

What does it mean that He has the Key of David, that He opens and shuts?

It comes right out of Isaiah…

Isaiah 22:20-23.

Isaiah 22:20–23 ESV

20 In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, 21 and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23 And I will fasten him like a peg in a secure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father’s house.

God comes against Israel for their rebellion.

These end verses, he specifically comes against Shebnah (The steward of God’s house) for his lack of faithfulness as steward over that which he was charged with.

God will remove him and place Eliakim in his place and he will be faithful. He will be given the keys of David. None shall open what he has shut or shut what he has opened.

A steward held the keys, thus the access, to the throne, to the places of authority.

Keys signify access. Control. Having the keys means you control the access. You can open what no one else has authority to do. You can close what no one else has authority to do.

With that backdrop in mind…

The church here in Philadelphia was facing opposition in that those of the Synagogue of Satan were denying the name of Jesus. They were denouncing and rejecting him, whereas the Church was not.

The Jews, the religious leaders did NOT generally accept the fact that Jesus was Messiah, the Holy One of God. To this day, they do not see it. They continue to reject and deny the reality of Jesus as Messiah, as a whole. There are some who see and believe, but not the vast majority.

PROPHECY is where we must turn to show them.

Covering all the prophecies that Christ fulfilled would be a study all on its own, but for our sake, we see that Jesus IS of the house of David.

Isaiah spoke of the fact that the house of David would be put upon this man’s shoulders, the one who would have the keys of David.

The angel’s words to Mary in Luke 1 reveal the fulfillment of that in Jesus.

Luke 1:26-33.

Luke 1:26–33 ESV

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

When you combine this with all the other many prophecies that Christ fulfills, it leave little doubt that Jesus is the one who HOLDS THE KEYS OF DAVID, who is the rightful and eternal ruler so often spoke about.

Revelation 5:5.

Revelation 5:5 ESV

5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Jesus is…

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

The Root of David

He conquered - He can open the scrolls

Jesus is the ROOT, the source of David and his house

From Jesus COMES ALL.

Revelation 22:16.

Revelation 22:16 ESV

16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

Jesus is the root

And the descendent of David

He is BOTH the source and the fruit of David

He is the key to all of who David is and the fulfillment of God’s promises to David.

He is “the key.”

As is clear from both Rev 5:5 and Rev 22:16, David represents the Messianic office.

JESUS, as the ROOT of David, as the ETERNAL God and Ruler, as one who rightfully proclaimed Himself the Son of God…

JESUS has authority over…

Revelation 1:5 - The kings of the earth

Revelation 1:18 - Death and Hades

Matthew 28:18 - All things, heaven and earth

John 5:21, 26-29 - Life and judgement

If Jesus has the key of David, then he has authority and power over the kingdom promised to David. It may be that those who say they were Jews but were not, those of the Synagogue of Satan, were opposing the church in Philadelphia, telling them they could not enter the kingdom. (Perhaps because they deny Christ where the church did not). If this were true, Jesus is conveying to the church, they lack ALL authority to make such claims. “I am the one who has the authority, who holds the keys, not them.” Jesus has total control. If he has opened the way for his children to come, NONE can shut it. If He has barred the way from some, NONE can open it. Jesus is the way.

Keys represent authority, control, access.

Jesus alone controls access to those who enter the messianic kingdom; to those who are granted eternal life.

Revelation 3:7 ESV

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

Jesus IS

The HOLY One

The True One

The one who has the keys of David…who opens and shuts as He will.

He and He alone holds the authority as the rightful and perfect one.

The Church

Little is truly known about this church apart from this passage.

Probably founded during Paul’s ministry as the gospel when out from Ephesus (Acts 19:10), like the rest of the churches mentioned here.

A few years after John wrote this letter, early church father, Ignatius, passed through on his way to Rome to be martyred.

He would send back an encouraging letter to the church that included some instruction as well.

Some of the Christians would be martyred with Polycarp at Smyrna.

The church lasted for many centuries.

The Christians stood fast even after the area would be overrun by Muslims.

The city and the church would eventually succumb to the Ottoman’s control in the mid-fourteenth century.

The City

Founded around 189BC either by King Eumenes of Pergamum or his brother Attalus II.

Derived it’s name from Attalus’ nickname, Philadelphus (brother lover) which his loyalty to his brother Eumenes earned him.

30 miles southeast of Sardis.

Situated at the gateway of the central plateau of what is now Turkey.

The city was the center of the great vineyard district. They had a thriving business in wine.

The city had to be rebuilt several times after an earthquake damaged the city, which the area was prone to.

Philadelphia was a crossroads. They stood at the entrance to the kingdoms of Lydia, Mysa, and Phrygia. Merchants traveling would pass through Philadelphia, giving them the opportunity to reach the world with the gospel as travelers passed through.

It was intended to be a center of Greek culture spreading Hellenism throughout the region

It would end up being known by several different names.

After a particularly devastating earthquake, Tiberius would come to people’s aid to help them rebuild. In gratitude, they renamed the city Neocaesarea (New Caesar).

Later, it would be changed to Flavia (AD 70-79).

This, along with Philadelphia, would continue to be its name through the second and third centuries.

Later, due to the establishment of the emperor cult, it would gain the title “Neokoros” or “Temple Warden.”

In the fifth century, due to its vast amounts of festivals and pagan cults, it would be nicknamed “Little Athens”

It is assumed that it’s chief deity was Dionysus, since their were most well known for their market in wine.

Like all these of early century churches and cities, pagan idolatry and worship abounded.

Each of the churches faced opposition and challenges.

The church at Philadelphia would stand fast and true.

To that though, we will turn next time.

For today…we behold the image of Christ as…(Read big idea)

Conclusion

Big Idea: Jesus is the Holy and True One, who holds the keys of David, whose authority and control is absolute and eternal.

What does any of this mean for us today?

How are we to respond to these truths that we have considered?

Worship.

Our hearts should ever and always be in a posture of worship before God. Seeing Him as He is, ought to stir our souls with such a profound AWE an WONDER that we cannot help but stop, stare, marvel, and adore Him for He is!

We should not be able to stop speaking about the glories and wonders of who God is.

Our day to day priorities, values, and activities should be shaped and changed by the glory of God.

The way we live and approach all things should be take on a distinctive shape as our focus on God becomes evident

Humility

When you are confronted with something that is this awe inspiring…

When we are confronted with something that moves us so…

When we are confronted with something that reminds us just how small we all…

Humility is the prescription of the day.

We need to have a lower view of self and of self preferences in light of the smallness that we really are.

Obedience

In response to our worship and humility before God, we should have an unwavering commitment to obedience.

Not selective

Not delayed

Not begrudging

Not partial

BUT TOTAL, joyful, immediate, complete, and willing obedience to ALL of God’s commands.

He is the HOLY, TRUE, and RIGHTFUL ruler of the world isn’t he?

And He is good and righteous.

In a world so full of compromise and departure from living under the authority of Almighty God, may we, as His people reflect our TRUST and LOVE for God through our humble worship and obedient lifestyle before He who rightfully holds the keys of David, who rightfully sits upon the throne as ruler of all.

As we humbly worship and willingly obey, may we ever be growing together to become more like Jesus for the glory of God.

Application

How does recognizing Jesus as the 'Holy and True One' shape your understanding of His authority in your life?

In what ways can you demonstrate faithfulness to Christ, like the church in Philadelphia?

How can you cultivate a lifestyle of worship that reflects the holiness of Christ in your daily activities?

What does a lifestyle of worship look like, practically speaking?

What are practical ways you can live in obedience to God's commands in your current situation?

How can you balance your personal desires with obedience to God's will in your life?

In what areas of your life do you need to submit to God’s authority?