THE CHURCH

INTRODUCTION ©

A. The sixth of the letters written to the seven churches of Asia is addressed to “the angel of the church in Philadelphia.”

1. “Philadelphia” is a Greek word meaning “brotherly love”

2. Philadelphia was so called in honor of Attalus II, king of Pergamon, who was given the title Philadelphus because of his loyalty to his elder brother and predecessor Eumenes II, king of Lydia.

3. Philadelphia was a relatively young city compared to the other cities in Asia-Minor. Its location was most favorable both commercially and strategically. ©

B. In Jesus’ address to the church in Philadelphia, he calls Himself “He who is holy”

1. Jesus is holy in the absolute sense, an attribute which only belong to God

2. Jesus being “he that is holy” is totally separate from evil, having perfect hatred of evil

C. Jesus also declares Himself as “He who is true”

1. The Greek word for “true” is aleqinos, meaning genuine or real, distinguishing Jesus as truly God – as opposed to false gods, or opposed to those who say they are what they are not (v. 9).

2. Jesus is genuine and real as fulfilling all that is involved in the name God ©

D. Jesus lastly describes Himself as “he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth”

1. The “key of David” means authority over the house of Israel

2. The original reference here is to the removal of one of the king’s ministers (Shebna), and the substitution of another (Eliakim) to take his place. Concerning Eliakim, the Lord declared  Isaiah 22:22

3. As the antitype of Eliakim, Jesus has authority over the heavenly house, the kingdom of God, which is the antitype of the house of David

a. Jesus holds the key to this kingdom, the house of David

b. As the key holder He has the power of admission and exclusion  note what Jesus said in John 14:6

E. Notice, the church in Philadelphia receives a commendation, counsel, and a promise. But no condemnation! ©

DISCUSSION

A. COMMENDATION (verses 8-10)

1. “I know thy works” (v. 8)

a. This has been said to each of the seven churches

b. Again, it alludes to the omnipresence of the Lord

2. “(behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power” [strength - NKJ] (v. 8)

a. This is a figure symbolizing a door of usefulness, or opportunity, and an assurance of success

b. Paul used this figure in 1 Corinthians 16:9

1) Acts 14:27

2) 2 Corinthians 2:12

3) Colossians 4:2-3

c. No greater sign of Divine approval can come to a church than the opening before it of larger and wider possibilities of usefulness, such as the Lord gave Philadelphia.

d. It is evident that this congregation had been zealously engaged in good works and in preaching the gospel, and now is in a position to do more than ever before in the Lord’s service

1) Matthew 25:29 … Will the Lord open a door for us?

2) The Lord’s providence provided Philadelphia an opportunity for greater service which no opposition could effectively hinder, a door which no one could shut.

e. Here it is plain to see that the healthiest church is the most active one

3. The Lord’s observation, “you have a little power” [strength - NKJ] (v. 8) is a praise rather than a condemnation, in fact, it is probably the highest praise he gives the saints in Philadelphia.

a. It seems that they were small in number, probably poor in worldly goods, and of little account in man’s eye.

b. But their weakness was not a liability – it was an asset

1) 2 Corinthians 12:9

2) Isaiah 40:29

c. Weak though Philadelphia was in itself, it utilized the power of the Lord to accomplish great things in His service ©

4. The Lord continues to praise the church in Philadelphia by saying, they “didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name”

a. The words “keep” and “deny” are in the aorist tense, thus alluding to some particular occasions in the past when, being put to the test, the church proved themselves faithful to the Lord

b. The true test of faithfulness is not standing for the Lord when it will cost us nothing – the real test comes when we must, if necessary, renounce all that we have in this world to stand for Christ

c. Where would we stand is we had to face such a test?

5. Because of their unfailing loyalty to the Lord, notice what Jesus promises the saints in Philadelphia in verse 9

a. Again, as in the message to the church in Smyrna, Jesus refers to the persecuting Jews as the “synagogue of Satan”

b. These Jews boasted of being God’s chosen people, but they were not … Romans 2:28-29

c. These Jews, Jesus promises, would come to realize that God was with these saints, and they would hold them in the highest respect as those who were truly striving to please God ©

6. In further praise, the Lord makes another promise to the saints in Philadelphia in verse 10

a. Because they had proved themselves steadfast in practicing the word of Lord’s “patience” or “persevere,” the Lord promises to keep them “from the hour of trial.”

b. This does not mean that the Lord kept them from every persecution, but it does mean that He would sustain them in persecution - giving them the power to bear whatever difficulties came their way

c. He makes the same promise today:

1) 1 Corinthians 10:13

2) Hebrews 4:16

d. A great calamity was to come to the whole world, but God would be with His faithful through it all ©

B. COUNSEL (verse 11)

1. The Lord encourages them not to allow anyone to take their crown

a. This is the crown of righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8)

b. The victor’s crown!

2. How can one take our crown?

a. Colossians 2:18-19

b. False teachers … hurt feelings … hypocrites ... worldly friends

3. Don’t let anyone take your crown! ©

C. PROMISE (verse 12)

1. The faithful will be made “a pillar in the temple of my God,” being firm and immovable.

2. The faithful would “go out thence no more,” i.e. the heavenly door will be shut assuring them of never falling

3. The faithful will have “the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God” written upon them, declaring that these saints belong to God, giving them high honor

4. The faithful will have written on them the Lord’s “new name,” denoting their eternal union with God in Christ and will dwell with Him forever. ©

CONCLUSION

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the

Spirit says to the churches.” (3:13)