Called to Opportunity (4)

PHILADELPHIA

Founded: 140 BC

Gateway to the East

Prosperous - location/grape growing in the area

Center of worship of the god Dionysos - god of wine

Small - good quality

Enemies were from OUTSIDE

Those who call themselves Jews/Roman persecution

Assured opposition is satanic; promised a crown

Jesus’ Identity

VS 7 Jesus identifies Himself as: Holy (deity) True GK (alethinos) Jesus is completely reliable

One with authority - holds the key of David - some think it was referring to the Jews at the time who excluded the Christians from their synagogues - but when Jesus opens the Jews cannot reverse it

Isaiah 22:22–25 NLT

22 I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them. 23 He will bring honor to his family name, for I will drive him firmly in place like a nail in the wall. 24 They will give him great responsibility, and he will bring honor to even the lowliest members of his family.” 25 But the Lord of Heaven’s Armies also says: “The time will come when I will pull out the nail that seemed so firm. It will come out and fall to the ground. Everything it supports will fall with it. I, the Lord, have spoken!”

When probably was speaking of admission to the city of David - the heavenly Jerusalem - only Jesus gives or withholds

Philadelphia Church

Vs 8 Reward for faithful service - greater opportunity for service

** It should be a joy to serve - so often we are so focused on our own creature comfort - we see opportunity to serve as something burdensome because it caused discomfort, or cramps our style so to speak BUT it should be a joy - it is a reward

Vs 9 Turning Point

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 35: 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation The Open Door

It seems very significant to me that the turning point of that validation of the truth of the Word and the name of Christ occurs when the inquirers at Philadelphia discover the love that is at work in the lives of the Christians. That turning point is vital: they will “learn that I love you” (v. 9).

The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 35: 1, 2 & 3 John / Revelation The Open Door

We Christians are not asked to open the heavy doors, but to walk through doors that the Lord opens

Vs 10 Rapture of the Church

We see Jesus’ promise to the Philadelphia church to keep them from the hour of trial coming to the whole world is identical to Paul’s to the Thessalonians in

1 Thessalonians 1:10 ESV

10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Vs 11 - Coming soon

1 Thessalonians 4:14–18 NLT

14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died. 15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

Promise

Vs 12

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary f. To the Church of Philadelphia (3:7–13)

There is a solidity about a pillar which may be meant in contrast to a mere ‘peg’ (Isa. 22:22–25).

Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary f. To the Church of Philadelphia (3:7–13)

The name of my God indicates that the overcomer belongs to God. That of the city of my God signifies that he has citizenship rights in the new Jerusalem (cf. Gal. 4:26; Heb. 11:10; 12:22; 13:14). My new name possibly refers to the new state of affairs brought about by the consummation of redemption.