The Will To Overcome

INTRODUCTION:

For the past few months we’ve been looking at the book of the Revelation and specifically the seven churches listed in Revelation 2-3. We’ve seen Jesus write a different message to each church.

Some were full of encouragement and hope, others were full of rebuke and warning, some had a bit of both. One of the themes that has risen to the top for me as we’ve walked through this series is just how unaware some of these unhealthy churches were of true spiritual condition.

Spiritual Doppler Radar

I heard an illustration the other day of how a doppler radar works and how pilots rely on doppler radar to successfully fly and land their planes.

KTXS uses a doppler radar to discern weather patterns in our region. It sends out an invisible microwave signal and creates data based on what that signal encounters when it bounces back and fourth between it’s sender and receiver.

It measures things that - even though we can’t see it from where we stand - have the potential to drastically impact our life.

It’s because of the doppler radar that pilots can avoid powerful wind shears that could crash their plane killings hundreds of people.

It’s because of the doppler radar that we can know about severe weather like tornados or hail and run for cover before it’s too late.

In the same way these seven messages to these seven churches have been like a spiritual doppler radar from the Lord Jesus to his Church.

He was helping them see things they couldn’t see, know things they weren’t in a position to know and take action against threats that could bring about destruction in their congregation if left unaddressed.

A Review of the Seven Churches

Thankfully, we’ve been able to benefit from the conversations because they problems they faced then are the same types of problems that churches face today. And the solutions to the problems they faced then are the same solutions that help us overcome problems in the church today.

The title of the series comes from the promise that Jesus gives to every church. The promise is given “to the one who overcomes...”

The church in Ephesus had to overcome a displaced love - they had lost their first love. Needed to repent, remember from where they had fallen and do the things they did at first.

The church in Smyrna had to overcome persecution for their faith in Christ. Enemy forces were using slander and political leverage to put Christians in a pressure cooker of physical and social persecution. They would overcome it by remaining faithful even to the point of death.

The church in Pergamum had to overcome a compromise. They were putting up with things that should’ve been put out of their life and their church. They wanted to worship Jesus on Sunday and live however they wanted Monday - Saturday.

The church in Thyatira had to overcome misguided tolerance. Like Pergamum, they had a group from within their own congregation who were leading people astray. Idolatry and sexual immorality were spreading like gangrene. The church needed to confront and remove the source of the infection.

The church in Saris had to overcome arrogance. They had an appearance of being alive but they were actually spiritually dead. They needed to remember what a genuine love relationship with Jesus looked like and return to that.

The last church we looked at was the 7th of 7 and that was the church of Laodicea. They too thought more highly of themselves then they should’ve thought. They needed to overcome apathy. A toxic form of spiritual complacency had deadened their senses to what was really going on and how Jesus really saw them.

In each of these churches we’ve been able to learn things about ourselves and our church. We’re going to close with the final church in Philadelphia. The title of this message is “The Will To Overcome.”

The church at Philadelphia is a profile in spiritual courage. They are a prime example of faithfulness to Christ no matter what comes.

Whether hardship and trial or good times and success. They give us a template of what it looks like to be an overcomer in the Christian life.

Let’s read Jesus’ message to this faithful church

Revelation 3:7–13 CSB

7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens: 8 I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12 “The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. 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 out of heaven from my God—and my new name. 13 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

THE CITY, THE CHURCH AND THE CHRIST:

The passage opens with a description of Jesus Christ (the sender of the letter.) It’s a four-fold description that applies specifically to the kinds of things going on in that particular church.

Revelation 3:7 CSB

7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens:

A Four-Fold Description of Christ

Some of these descriptions are pretty self-explanatory. The “holy one” is the Greek word “hagios.” It just means set apart. Different. In a class of his own. It’s a word that was often applied to the Messiah in the OT.

The second descriptor is the word “true one.” It’s the Greek word “alethinos.” It just means truth. In Christianity, though, true is not just some ethereal ideal. It’s not a philosophical concept. Truth is embodied. Truth is a man.

The word also carries the connotations of authentic, real, and trustworthy. Jesus is faithful in every respect.

The Key of David

The third descriptor mentions “the key of David.” There’s only one other reference to this concept and it’s in the OT. (Isaiah 22:15-25) We don’t have time to read it but the basic concept was this key to David gave the key possessor access and rights to all that King David owned.

Those familiar with the OT know that King David was Israel’s ultimate king. He was the “king of kings.” To possess the key to David meant you were the rightful heir to the inheritance of David’s fortune. Not only did you have access to it; key also meant authority. You had authority over it.

So when Jesus says he has the key of David he’s saying, “I’m the one and true rightful heir.” But his access and authority is not merely the earthly kingdom of Israel. Rather, it’s the Kingdom of God which spans across this whole world.

That why Jesus says in the Great Commission “ALL AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth has been given to me...”

This is Jesus’ way of saying, “All of heaven’s resources and all of heaven’s authority are located in ME.” REPEAT: All of heaven’s resources and all of heaven’s authority are located in the Lord Jesus Christ.

If you ever need something from heaven, you ask Jesus Christ. You ever need resources from heaven, ask Jesus Christ. If we’re going to be overcomers, if we’re going to have victory on earth - we need the power of heaven and Jesus is the possessor of that power, he holds the keys.

An Open Door

That leads naturally to the fourth of the four-fold description. Jesus is the one who “opens and no one will close and who closes and no one opens.”

Have you ever run into a door that you needed to open but you didn’t have the key?

Jesus is saying, “with my key - it doesn’t matter who else closes the door - I can open it. And it doesn’t matter who is trying to open the door - if I’ve closed it, it’s going to stay closed.”

What is that open door a reference to?

Some think it’s a reference to salvation; the kingdom of God. A door to a relationship with God. And that’s certainly true. But, as we will see later, it might also refer to specific doors of opportunity that Jesus grants to his church at particular seasons.

Application of Vision of Christ

One of the reasons I wanted us to go through these churches is because these introductions by Jesus help renew our mind on how we should think of Jesus Christ today. Revival will come to our church when we have a fresh and proper vision of Jesus Christ. Nowhere is this more true than as it relates to this open door description.

I want you to picture Jesus, seated at the right hand of God, with that key of a authority and access on his shoulder. He is in complete control. He has perfect knowledge. And he opens and closes doors as he sees fit.

PRISON ILLUSTRATION:

Have you ever been inside a prison? They have these elevated pods where guards will sit and they open and shut the doors to different sections in the prison. They assess the situation. See any potential threats on the horizon. And open and close the door for entry/exit based upon their assessment.

That’s what Revelation 3:7 is saying about Jesus.

He’s in an elevated position. He knows what’s on either side of the door. He knows potential threats and opportunities much better than we do. And from his position of authority and access he’s allows entry and exit to the door.

If Jesus closes the door, nobody else can open it. If Jesus opens the door, nobody else can close it.

In those prison doors it doesn’t matter how much kicking and screaming you want to do. You can yell and kick and punch but the only person who can open that door is that person sitting in that pod.

It’s not what you know but who you know and what he sees that makes the difference.

What if We Saw Jesus This Way?

How different would your life be if you believed this to be true?

How many heartaches would be avoided?

How many anxieties would end?

How much more confidence and/or caution would we have?

If we had a right view of Jesus ..

we would’ve have to manipulate people anymore.

We wouldn’t be trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

We wouldn’t have to find sinful ways to accomplish righteous goals.

We wouldn’t have to “force things” to happen because we know only Jesus can do that.

When God closes a door you wouldn’t question his wisdom or his love.

When God opens a door you wouldn’t hesitate to jump on the opportunity.

Is there a door God has shut in your life and you’re trying to press it open?

Is there a door God has opened in your life and you’re trying to shut it closed?

Maybe he didn’t close that door because you’re not good enough or he doesn’t love you. Maybe it’s an act of protection. Maybe it’s because of the satanic or evil things on the other side of that door you’re trying to force open. Maybe it’s not the right time to go in.

Some of you need God to open a door but you’re not praying to him like he has the master key. You’ve been trying in your own power to force it open instead of asking him to do what only he can do. (health doors, circumstantial doors, employment doors, relationship doors, financial doors)

Look up. See Jesus as the one who is faithful and true. He is set apart. He is in a class of his own. He has the key of David and he can open doors that nobody can shut and he can shut doors that nobody else can open.

Pray to him, worship him as though those things are true.

THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA

Jesus continues with a description of the church in Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:8 CSB

8 I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Jesus has used that opening phrase with almost every church. “I know...” It’s not just an ethereal head knowledge. It’s an intimate thorough-going specific knowledge of everything going on in the life of that congregation. He knew the church better than anybody else - even the pastor.

Because of what Jesus has seen in this church he says “I’ve placed before you an open door that no one can close...”

The word translated “opened” is in the perfect tense. Meaning, “I opened it and I’m going to keep it open as long as I see fit.”

That word translated “can” (no one can shut) is the Greek word “dunamis.” It’s where we get our English word dynamite. Meaning, “nothing has the power or ability to shut this door closed. It’s impossible!”

A Door of Opportunity

What is this door? I believe it’s a door of opportunity to do ministry in and around the city.

One of the interesting things about this city is it was a strategic outpost for a process known as “hellenization.” Essentially, Hellenization was like evangelism for Greek culture. They wanted to spread the Greek language, customs, religion, and culture around Asia minor and this city was one of the most effective tools in that trade.

Jesus is saying, “Your city is not just going to be an outpost for hellenization. It’s going to be a strategic outpost for the evangelization of the world. You’re going to spread values and customs and culture of the Kingdom of GOD to the rest of Asia Minor.

In other words, you have no idea the impact I’m about to make through your church.

Though They Are “Little Power”

Jesus says this even though “they had little power.” (micros dunamis).

I take this to mean they maybe didn’t have very much money, they didn’t have a very large/influential congregation.

But in the kingdom of God progress is not gained “by our might or by our power. It is gained by God’s Spirit!” (Zech 4:6)

Jesus is commending this church for their perseverance and faithfulness to Christ in a very challenging season. According to verse 9 there were Jews in the city of Philadelphia who were saying and doing things to make like difficult for the Christians there. But they didn’t give up or back down. They stood strong and steadfast in the Lord.

Commended For What?

Notice also what is being commended:

it’s not their impact or influence in the community.

It’s not some impressive outward manifestation of their talent or abilities.

It’s merely the fact that they’ve “kept the Word of Christ and did not deny his name.”

It has the overtones of Jesus’ statement to the disciples in John 8:31 “If you abide in my word you really are my disciples....” Or John 15:5 “It’s the one who remains in me and I in him who bears much fruit for apart from me you can do nothing...”

Here’s the principle: In the kingdom of God an open door of opportunity isn’t given because of impressive talents or abilities. It’s given because of personal humility and absolute dependency on the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Lesson I Want Us To Learn

This is a church who had learned the lesson I am so desperately trying to learn myself - the lesson I’m so eager for our own congregation to press in on and learn - the discipline of abiding in Jesus and living life according to his power instead of our own. Trusting in his strength instead of our own; his wisdom instead of our wisdom.

This was the sin that Jesus rebuked in the church at Sardis and at Laodicea. They were wealthy, powerful and spiritually arrogant. They could not see the reality of their true spiritual condition.

They might’ve had a good reputation with the world and they might’ve been strong by the word’s values - but the kingdom of Christ doesn’t operate according to those values.

In the kingdom of Christ it is in our WEAKNESS that we become strong. It is the MEEK who inherit the earth. It is not by might nor by power but by the Holy Spirit that true progress is achieved.

As the prophet Jeremiah declared,

Jeremiah 9:23–24 CSB

23 “ ‘This is what the Lord says: The wise person should not boast in his wisdom; the strong should not boast in his strength; the wealthy should not boast in his wealth. 24 But the one who boasts should boast in this: that he understands and knows me— that I am the Lord, showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. This is the Lord’s declaration.

To Get God’s Keys

If you want Jesus to open a door of opportunity in your life it’s not going to happen because you reach some new height of impressive spirituality. The way up is down. The way to glory is through humility. You don’t have to be wealthy, or influential, or the most powerful person in the room. God’s kingdom doesn’t work that way.

In fact, the more wealthy and influential you are - the more power you have - the lower potential access you’ll have God opening that door.

It’s a lower potential access not because wealth and power are sinful in and of themselves. It’s a lower potential access because wealth, power and self-sufficiency cause us to trust in ourselves instead of trusting the Lord.

The higher you go up the less sense of need for God you may have. The lower you go down, the less of self you have to lean on - the more of God you’re going to crave and receive.

Patience and Perseverance

In addition to total dependency on God you also must demonstrate patient endurance. This church was up against opposition from a “so-called” Jewish synagogue. They were trying to get Christians to deny the name of Christ but they remained faithful. They patiently endured the hardship.

It reminds me of the story of William Carey, the great missionary to Kolkata, India.

One of my favorite sayings from Carey says, “attempt great things FOR God and expect great things FROM God.” This optimism from a man who had a challenging and gruesome ministry for many years.

He worked in an indigo factory to support his family while serving overseas. He couldn’t raise enough money from his hometown to support the project.

When he wasn’t working he was witnessing in the surrounding towns and villages. At night he would translate the Bible into the native tongue of the people to whom he was ministering.

He started with Bengalese. From there he translated the Scripture into 35 different languages! He labored ceaselessly for years before he saw even ONE convert to Christianity.

But by the time he died a church was planted in India. Others would follow in his footsteps, being motivated by his powerful example.

My second favorite quote of Carey came in response to a friend who was marveling at all that he had accomplished through his life and ministry. He said, “there’s nothing remarkable in what I have done. It has only required patience and perseverance.”

Another mentor of mine once said, “Most of us vastly overestimate what we can accomplish in 1-2 years but vastly underestimate what we can accomplish in 10-15.”

Patience and perseverance. When those are in possession alongside of a total dependency on God - no one can shut that door.

THE PROMISE OF CHRIST:

Jesus closes his letter with a promise.

Revelation 3:10–11 CSB

10 Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.

Because of their patience and perseverance Jesus promises them preservation from the “hour of testing.”

Obviously Jesus didn’t mean a literal 1 hour period of testing. It’s a general reference to a defined period of tribulation that would come upon the entire world. So this tribulation is not limited in scope to just the city of Philadelphia. It’s global.

The purpose of this hour of testing is to “test those who live on the earth.” That’s a phrase that gets repeated often throughout the book of the Revelation. (Rev 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8, 12, 14; 17:2, 8) “Those that live on the earth” are a particular class of people. They are the opposite God’s faithful.

They are not God’s people or belonging to the kingdom of heaven. They belong to the earth. The live “on the earth.” They are materialistic, hedonistic, atheistic and absorbed with this world and the things of this world. Later in the book of Revelation this class of people is associated with the Beast, the False Prophet and the Dragon.

What is this hour of testing?

So the question rises, “What is this hour of testing and in what way are Christians ‘kept from it’””

I believe this is not just a reference to tribulation in general as it is qualified by the use of the word “hour” meaning a definite period of time.

The qualification of why the tribulation comes, on whom it falls and how Christians are protected leads me to believe this is a reference to the great tribulation that immediately proceeds the second coming of Christ.

As if to remove all doubt Jesus follows his reference of the tribulation with a promise about his second coming in verse 11. “I am coming soon!” In this way, the church at Philadelphia represents an “end times church” more explicitly than some of the others.

This is why many people think the verse 10 refers to the rapture of the church from the earth up to heaven. While that’s certainly possible I don’t think it’s the only interpretation or the best.

This same phrase is actually used by John in his Gospel (John 17:15)

John 17:15 CSB

15 I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.

It’s the same greek construction. There, as here in Revelation, the idea is not that the church is physically removed from the trial and tribulation but that they are protected by God throughout the trials and tribulations they face.

I actually see connotations between this and the Exodus narrative in the Old Testament. When God unleashed plagues on Egypt it had a devastating impact on the unbelieving population but the people of were protected. They were sealed. That that’s what Jesus is promising here.

To the One Who Overcomes

Jesus Closes with a promise

Revelation 3:12–13 CSB

12 “The one who conquers I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never go out again. 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 out of heaven from my God—and my new name. 13 “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.

All of these promises point towards the end of the book of Revelation and so if you feel like I’m skipping over the good stuff don’t worry we will have time to unpack it later in the year.

The overall thrust of all of these promises is that we will inherit the fullness of our salvation.

This language of strength and perseverance is the opposite of their present circumstances. They were small, outnumbered and persecuted.

Even so, they remained faithful. And because they were faithful to Christ he promised them “I’ll remain faithful to you.”

You may feel like you’re crumbling today but on that day you’ll be a pillar!

You may feel like God has abandoned you now but on that day the name of God will be written on your forehead.

You may feel like an alien and sojourner in this world, a fish out of water. But on that day you’ll have access to the world that is to come. You’re true and forever home - the city of God that comes down from heaven the renew and heal the earth.

And you may feel lost and confused on who you are. A crisis of identity. Rejected by friends and family alike. But know this, Christian. You belong to Jesus. He loves you and on that day he will write HIS name on you as well.

Earlier in this passage Jesus said of the people persecuting the Christians at Philadelphia that he would make them come and bow down at their feet. On THAT day, Jesus says, “they will know that I have loved you.”

Hold on to that promise and you will overcome. This world is hard and getting harder. The way to victory isn’t self-sufficiency or compromise or arrogance. The answer is humility, dependency, patient perseverance and faithfulness. We will overcome if we will not give up.