Revelation 03 7 13
The Letter to Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-13
Introduction:
So far in our study of the letter to the Churches we have seen:
ð Ephesus: Church that left their first love
ð Smyrna: persecuted Church
ð Pergamos: lenient Church
ð Thyatira: allowed evil into the Church
ð Sardis: the dead Church
This letter was to a Church in a city with a name that we are much more familiar with here in PA: Philadelphia
· City of brotherly love
· Situated in the corner of three regions: Lycia, Lydia, Phrygia
· Founded by Philadelphus in 140 B.C. to spread Greek language and customs
· Lies about 30 miles SE of Sardis
· Constantly suffered earthquakes
· City was destroyed along with Sardis in A.D. 17
As I read through this letter I cannot help but think that this would be a good letter to receive
Outline: much the same as the other letters:
1. A description of Jesus Christ
2. A challenge given to the Church
3. A series of promises given to the Church
I. A description of Jesus Christ v. 7
Each letter so far has begun with a description of Jesus Christ that is relevant to the message of the letter
1. He is holy:
The fact that God is holy is the character of God on which all else hangs
*He is holy in all that He does
*His love is a holy love
*His justice is holy
*His mercy, grace, etc. is all holy
Holy = to be set apart from sin, really to be above all else
Fact of His holiness here points to His position as God
Warren Wiersbe:
This is tantamount to declaring that He is God, which, of course, He is. Jesus Christ is holy in His character, His words, His actions, and His purposes. As the Holy One, he is uniquely set apart from everything else, and nothing else can be compared to Him.
His holiness gives Him the right to call us to holy living:
1 Peter – Be holy, for I am holy
His holiness also makes Him the one that we need to compare ourselves to as opposed to others
2. He is true:
Warren Wiersbe:
He is the original, no a copy; the authentic God and not a manufactured one. There were hundreds of false gods and goddesses in those days, but only Jesus Christ could rightfully claim to be the true God.
3. He has the key of David
Reference to Isaiah 22:15-22
Israel had been delivered from their enemies by God
Yet they remained ungrateful for Gods deliverance
A steward in the city (2nd only to the king) was misusing his office
*Read of Shebna here
God promised to replace him with Eliakim who would be given the keys of the house of David
Key of David was like the master key of the city and the palace
He controlled who could come and go and more importantly who had access to the king and who did not
It was he who had power to open and close doors
**See even in our country today
Jesus is described in Revelation 3 as being the one that has the key of authority to open and close doors.
In the NT open doors speak of opportunities for ministry
1 Cor. 16:5-9
Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. 8But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. 9For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
2 Cor. 2:12
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord….
Col. 4:2-4
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Jesus is described to the Church as the one who opens the doors of ministry or opportunity for them.
II. A Challenge give to the Church v. 8
1. I have set before you an open door
Jesus was giving them the green light of ministry
There were open doors of opportunity before them
Church growth experts tell us that this is the first step to Church growth: recognizing open doors of ministry.
They are not the same for everyone. What is an open door for a Church in Texas may not be an open door in Warren Center. That is why Churches need to be careful when it comes to trying to follow another Churches example of growth. We are far better to pray for and seek the open doors that God has given to us.
What open doors of ministry has God given to us?
· As individuals?
· As a Church?
· Are we really looking for them?
2. Take the open door that I have set before you
You have a little strength
· This was not a criticism
· This was an encouragement to them
· It was a challenge to them to the take the opportunities presented to them in Gods strength.
· Church growth experts say the second step to Church growth is to depend on the Lord for strength
How often do we see opportunities and not take them because we believe that we do not have the strength or resources that we need?
Success comes not from in think or knowing we can but in knowing and believing that God can!!
3. Hold fast to the Word
They had held fast to Gods Word and were now being complimented for doing that and challenged to continue
They taught it, and held fast to it in their daily experience.
A third characteristic of Church growth is a commitment to the Word of God!
4. Do not deny the Lord
They had not denied the Lord and allowed false teaching or the worship of other gods to come into the Church
III. A Series of Promises to the Church vv. 9-11
1. I will defeat your enemies
Jesus would cause those who were of the synagogue of Satan to recognize that they were worshipping the true God
They will bow at your feet and know that I have loved you!
2. I will keep you from the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole world
The time of tribulation is what much of the rest of the book of Revelation is all about
· A time of Gods judgment on the earth
· A time of great suffering that will affect the whole earth
· Gods promise here is to deliver them from this because of their faithfulness to Him
3. I will come quickly
Has the idea of suddenly or unexpectedly as opposed to soon
Here those that have POWs tell how when they suffered they hung on to the fact that their brothers would come as quickly as possible to deliver them: same idea here.
4. I will make him a pillar
This was significant in a city that knew many earthquakes
There would be stability in Christ.
5. I will write MY new name on him
This is the greatest encouragement of all: Name shows ownership
Illustration of Woody the doll in Toy Story movie
Any time he got discouraged in the movie he would look at the bottom of his foot. On it was his owners name. Gave him the encouragement he needed to move on.