The Church at Philadelphia

Introduction

Good morning everyone, it’s a great day to be alive, it’s the Lord’s day and I am glad to see you all.

Here we are at the middle of November, we have had snow and some really cold temperatures… but it’s ok, you know why? With the coming of winter we also know that spring will be right behind it.. He has appointed the seasons to come and go just as He will return again.

So we must be faithful, living for Him until We see Jesus

This morning we come again to the 6th of the 7 churches of Asia that the Lord has a message for in the opening chapters of the Book of Revelation.

This morning we come again to the 6th of the 7 churches of Asia that the Lord has a message for in the opening chapters of the Book of Revelation.

And today we look at the church at the city of Philadelphia.

So if you have your Bibles lets turn there… , verses 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.’

So lets open the text and see what is happening here.

Now we know the ancient city of Philadelphia is marked by the modern city of Alasehir, in what is western Turkey. Also, it was located only about 30 miles from the city of Sardis that we talked about last week.

The city self was a center for Hellenistic expansion, and was indeed a cultural center in the region. One thing that may have lead to the decline of the city and region was the Domitian ordered that half of their famous vineyard to be cut down and no new ones were to be planted. It seems that this was a effort to protect the wine producers in Italy.

We know that after these events, the city along with Sardis seems to vanish away.

Yet at this time it remains an important city, the church of the living God is there and lets see what the Lord is going in their midst.

So the first thing I want you to take notice of is this...

1. The Holy One.....

One of the most beautiful things we can see from these 7 letters to the churches in Asia is the pictures of Jesus Christ. We have been given such wonderful descriptions that tell us of His majesty, His power and presence. and his glory.

As we open up the text, we see three affirmations about the Lord Jesus Christ.

So look again at verse 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.

So three points here… what do they mean...

Well first off we know that He is ...

A. The Holy One.... The Lord himself is holy, in all that He is, His character the very nature of the Lord himself is holy and we see it in the words He speaks, never having any deception or untruth. His work or actions are holy, always for His own glory and the glory of His Father and yes His purposes. He is holy in that He has worked to redeem mankind, to do good for them and and harm them.

He is uniquely set apart from everything else, and nothing can be compared to Him

From the witness of the Scriptures, we see Isaiah standing in the temple and we receives a beautiful picture of the Lord holiness as the angels sing praises to Him. Listen to , verse 3

Isaiah 6:3 ESV

3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

Revelation 5 ESV

1 Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, 4 and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 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.” 6 And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. 8 And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, 10 and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” 11 Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 13 And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” 14 And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

And then also in , verse 8

Revelation 4:8 ESV

8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”

He is the holy one whose glory fills the whole earth.

And then we come to the next phrase...

B. The True One… At this time in the world, Rome and Greece worshipped a multitude of false pagan gods, people gave themselves over to this man made deities. The Lord is the one true God. He is not some copy, some artificial god that is set in stone. He is the living one, who has always been and will never have an ending.

Consider the false worship that ensues in our world today, people are lost in their sin...

Consider Hinduism today, 330 million different gods...

He is the one and only.

1 Corinthians 8:5–6 ESV

5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

The Lord is the one true God.

The Lord is the one true God.

And then we are told that He is the one who has the key of David...

C. The Key of David… Having the key of David, we know the Lord is the one who has sole authority over all the earth. But more especially is the fact that the Lord is the one who has brought salvation to everyone who would call upon the name of the world.

He will open the door and welcome all those who are His and bring them into the gates of that New Jerusalem, that holy city what has been prepared as a bride for her bridegrrom.

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Jesus 14”

He is the only means by which men and women can be saved....

He is the holy one...., the true one and the one who offers salvation to all.

Do you know him today...

And this brings us to a second thought… are you ready.

2. A Faithful Church...

When you look at the message Jesus brings to the church at Philadelphia, we see a picture of a faithful loving church that loves the Lord intently.

And here is the truth my friends, if there faithfulness, steadfastness, these are the greatest challenges that the church of any era faces. Will the body remain faithful regardless of outside pressure.

Look at our text, verses 8-11...

Revelation 3:8–11 ESV

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.

___________________

Again we see as with the other letters, the Lord says to them, I know your works. Our Lord is omniscient, He is all knowing, searching and understanding the hearts of men

The Holy One.....

Now the Lord says that He has set before them a door, it would appear that in the midst of specific problems, this door may be the door of opportunity, to be able to continue to move forward in missions, in the expansion of the church. We are not entirely sure… but what we do know is this, they are facing great trouble in the area they live.

Jesus tells them I know you have little power. Now whether they were small and had little ability to move or they had little influence in the city there, either case, they have been faithful.

There is the greatest news. No matter the enormity of the task set before them, the pressures around them, they were faithful.

The same can be true for each of your lives and in the life of this corporate body of believers. We can be faithful, no matter what he calls us too, no matter what we face. And here is the reason. He is faithful.

2 tim 1:12b says “...for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.”

_______________

The church at Philadelphia was faithful, they have not denied his name even though the synagogue of Satan has brought great trouble upon them.

Now if you remember from a previous letter, the synagogue of Satan were people who were Jews who had turned away from the church. Remember in previous letters we know that the church has experienced a great deal of freedom, but as people began to persecute the Jews and Christians alike, the Jewish community began to push back, they began to bring accusations against the Christian community, they did this in a effort to take the heat off themselves in hope that Rome might find them loyal to them. In truth that had abandoned the Lord their God and his revealed church.

These Jews belong to the devil.....

And then look at verse 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.

____________

The Lord promises to make these people bow down and confess that these are the people He has loved…

Now we don’t know the timing of this promise. Would this be in their immediate future or time later. But regardless of the timing of this reward, we know the Lord is faithful to reward those who love Him.

And then if you look at verse 10, the Lord tells them, as the result of their faithfulness, He has promised to spare them from the hour of trial that is going to come to the whole world.

We know we are to expect trouble in this world, Jesus said so in “....In this world you will have trouble.” It (the world) will hate His people just as the world has hated God..

But is this referring to a more immediate time, or is this a look forward to the end of time. But in light of what is being said, it would appear to the a reward for those who are faithful, they will be kept safe, at peace and loved by the Lord when the great day of the Lord comes and the nations are judged...

The beauty of the message reminds us that in our love for the Lord, our faithfulness is seen, and known by the Lord. And as the church even our most difficult days are blessed in reward in the days to come.

Let me ask you a question, does the Lord see you as faithful? Will you be rewarded because you have not given up?

He is faithful and rewards our faithfulness.

Now just one last thought today and we will be ready to have some lunch to support our youth.

2 Timothy 1:12 ESV

12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.

3. The Continued Promise...

A Faithful Church

In each of these letters that is a divine promise for those who are remain unto the end.

The Continued Promise

It is a promise that is common to all those who love the Lord and are called according to His purposes.

Look with me again at the end of the text...

Revelation 3:11–13 ESV

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.’

Verse 11 reminds us that Jesus is coming soon. His promise is sure, as it was in Acts chapter 1. As the disciples stood gazing into the heavens as Jesus was taken up from them, two angels stood in white apparel and gave them this message...

Acts 1:11 ESV

11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Until that day… the charge was laid, hold fast on what you have… what you have believed and trusted by faith. Hold on to that and never look back.

He has promised them stability, He said I will make you a pillar in the temple of His God, meaning the Temple of His Father.

Remember this is an area within a volcanic plain, there have been many earth quakes through the years. Houses and buildings have been damaged and broken and these people have suffered.

But here is the promise of stability, of peace and hope in the future. The peace because the church will be with the Lord forever and ever. He will write on him, meaning that he will bear the name of His God upon him, and that city for they are citizens of heaven.

What a joy it is, to know that he is ours and we are his and we will never depart out of that city.

Revelation 3 ESV

1 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2 Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4 Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ 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.’ 14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation. 15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”