Encouragement for a Little Last Days Church Plant

Introduction to the Revelation

Revelation 2–3:22 record royal proclamations by Jesus to the churches.

Each letter connects the church’s situation to the vision of Christ (Rev 1) and also explains each church’s situation in light of the subsequent visions.

What’s in the letters?

opening

commendation

rebuke

a call to repent

a universalizing formula

overcomer promise

Philadelphia

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Philadelphia (Place)

Located in ancient Lydia, in the W of what is today Asiatic Turkey, Philadelphia was founded by Eumenes II, King of Pergamum (197–159 B.C.) or possibly his brother, Attalus II (159–138 B.C.), whose loyalty had earned for him the epithet “Philadelphus,” hence the city’s name

Seven Churches Map

A. The King Speaks!

the Holy One

the True One

Possessor of the key of David, he opens and no one shuts, he shuts and no one opens

Isaiah 22:22 ESV

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.

3 Proclamations

B. Proclamation and Commendation #1 (v. 8)

An open door (v. 8)

You have only a little strength,

keep my word

have not denied my name

C. Proclamation/Promise and Commendation #2 (v. 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.

He promises to work in the lives of the churches’ enemies – I will give you those of the “synagogue of Satan”

They had met rejection from the Jewish community, like the church in Smyrna (Rev. 2:9)

But not all Jews are Jews!

They will bow down at your feet

They will learn that I have loved you

Hebrew Israelites? Romans 2:28-29

Romans 2:28–29 ESV

28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

D. Proclamation/Promise and Commendation #3 (v. 10)

Revelation 3:10 ESV

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.

He promises to keep them from an hour of world wide testing

E. The King Commands the church (v. 11)

Revelation 3:11 ESV

11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

F. Overcomer Promise (v. 12)

Revelation 3:12 ESV

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.

Pillar in the Temple of My God

The New Bible Dictionary, Third Edition Philadelphia

In contrast with the impermanence of life in a city prone to earthquakes, those who ‘overcome’ are promised the ultimate stability of being built into the temple of God

2. The Name of God, the Name of the city, the King’s own new name.

The conquerer will enjoy final acceptance by the Lord Jesus when he receives the name given by the King!

Revelation 19:12 ESV

12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself.

Like the so called divine emperors, like Eumenes, King of Pergamum to his brother Attalus, the true Divine King will confer names of the conqueror.

G. Universalizing formula (v. 13)

Revelation 3:13 ESV

13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’