Living in the Last Days (7)

Letting God do extraordinary things through ordinary you

Revelation 3:7-13

I. Intro

Last time we were together, we visited the church at Sardis, the church who needed to rekindle her spiritual life. We now will visit the church at Philadelphia. The name ‘Philadelphia’ is composed of two Greek words that combine to mean “brotherly love.” Philadelphia was located about 28 miles south of Sardis. The church at Philadelphia was small and had neither wealth or prestige. The earthquake that destroyed Sardis in 17 A.D. also devastated Philadelphia. Because the area was prone to earthquakes and tremors, much of the population lived outside of the city walls. Today, Alasehir (al-uh-she-here), Turkey exists on the ancient site of Philadelphia. The ancient church is a great example of how to let God do extraordinary things through ordinary you. The phrase “brotherly love” occurs 7 times in the Bible. The city of Philadelphia was located in an area known for its agriculture. Christ described Himself as the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David, and who is able to open or shut a door, which no one else could open or shut. The holiness of Christ is a frequent truth in Scripture. 1 Peter 1:15 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” Being holy He is worthy to judge the spiritual life of the Philadelphia church. It is not enough to love God and our fellow believers; we must also love a lost world and seek to reach unbelievers with the Good News of the Cross. This church had a vision to reach a lost world, and God set before them an open door. Philadelphia was situated in a strategic place on the main route of the Imperial Post from Rome to the East, and thus it was called “the gateway to the East.” It was also called “little Athens” because of the many temples in the city. Jesus Christ presented Himself to the church at Philadelphia as “He that is holy.” This is paramount 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 can be compared to Him. But He is also the One who is true-that is, genuine. He is the original, not a copy; the authentic God and not a manufactured one. There were hundreds of false gods and goddesses in those days, but on Christ could rightfully claim to be the true God. 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 “For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” Not only is he holy and true, but He has the authority to open and close doors. Jesus Christ also has the keys of Hades and death. Revelation 1:18 “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” In the NT, an “open door” speaks of the opportunity for ministry. 2 Corinthians 2:12 “Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord” Christ is the Lord of the harvest and the Head of the Church, and it is He who determines where and when His people shall serve. He gave the church at Philadelphia a great opportunity for ministry.

II. Remember Jesus’ Power

Christ describes Himself to this church: ‘These things saith He that is holy.’ The word ‘holy’ (hagios hag-ee-os) means separate, set apart, or undefiled by the world. The holiness of Christ, who is God in flesh and blood, is our Model. Christ also calls Himself ‘He that is true.’ He is authentic, genuine, and trustworthy. He is true in all He says and does. Christ’s awesome power is seen when He says He is the one that hath the key of David. This refers to Isaiah 22:22 when Eliakim (ih-lye-uh-kim) is given the key to the house of David during the reign of King Hezekiah. This gave Eliakim access to all the wealth and power of the king. The key of David refers to Christ’s power and authority. Christ is the one who opens the door of salvation and the doors of ministry opportunities. Therefore, when we feel like God can’t accomplish much through us because we don’t have great talents, we need to remember Moses at the burning bush. He tells God he isn’t an eloquent speaker and is slow of speech. God replies by asking Moses who made his mouth? Exodus 4:10-11 “  And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?” In our day of mega-churches and big name pastors with huge TV ministries, those of us who serve in smaller churches can sometimes feel discouraged. Jesus wants us to know our spiritual success is not measured by the size of the church we attend or our own personal abilities. Spiritual success is measured by His power. What matters is not the size of your church or your spiritual gifts; it is the size of your God. In the words of the old hymn, “Little is much when God is in it.” Don’t feel cheated because you don’t attend a mega-church with a famous pastor. Instead, feel blessed you serve the all-powerful Lord Jesus, who has the Key of David. When you wonder what God can do with ordinary you or your small church, remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:27 “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” To let God do extraordinary things through ordinary you, first remember Jesus’ power, and remember Jesus’ perspective.

III. Remember Jesus’ Perspective

Christ says to the church at Philadelphia, “I know thy works.” The Lord knows their deeds, and like the church at Smyrna, has no word of condemnation for them. Therefore, He moves on and says, “Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.” The open door could represent opportunities for sharing the Gospel. Our Lord continues, “For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” This doesn’t mean the believers in Philadelphia were weak in faith, but they were small in number and resources. The believers in Philadelphia were faithful followers of Christ because they kept His word and had not denied His name in spite of enduring the same terrible persecution the other churches were facing. Our Lord next says, “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie.” The synagogue of Satan refers to Jews who are hostile to the Gospel and actively persecute Christians. They claim to be Jews but are not, so they are liars and children of the devil. Of them, Christ says, “Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” This is apparently a part of what will happen when Christ comes again. Philippians 2:10-11 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Christ continues, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” This promise extends beyond the church at Philadelphia to all faithful believers of all times. The Lord Jesus will keep them and all true believers from the hour of temptation that will come upon all the world. This probably refers to the Great Tribulation described in Revelation 6-19. What does the word ‘quickly’ mean? It is a matter of perspective. When the Lord uses the word ‘quickly’, it has a different meaning than it does to us, who use calendars and watches everyday. We know this because with the Lord, one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. 2 Peter 3:8 Our Lord continues, “Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” The crown doesn’t refer to salvation, but to rewards. There are several different type of rewards, (crowns) in the NT. Examples are: the crown of life (James 1:12), the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4), the crown Jesus describes here is probably the crown in 2 Timothy 4:8. Because of Jesus’ perspective, He not only knows what is going on in our lives now, but also how all things began, and how they are going to end. To let God do extraordinary work through ordinary you, remember Jesus’ power, remember Jesus’ perspective, and remember Jesus’ plan.

IV. Remember Jesus’ Plan

Christ concludes this letter with a word of comfort about His final plan for all faithful believers. ‘Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God.’ The temple of my God refers to Heaven. The word ‘pillar’ symbolizes permanence and stability. The Philadelphian believers lived in constant fear of earthquakes and tremors that would destroy their homes. They, and we also, are comforted by knowing we will have a wonderful, permanent, safe home in Heaven. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:10 “But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit.” This wisdom enables us to interpret spiritual truths found in the Bible. The book of Revelation contains many spiritual truths about coming judgments and heaven that can only be understood by those who have the wisdom that comes from God. Not only will believers be a pillar in God’s temple in Heaven, but also our Lord says, “And he shall go no more out.” This was of special comfort to the believers at Philadelphia. The comfort continues, “And I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of Heaven from my God.” These names symbolize ownership, like a brand on cattle identifies the owner. Jesus’ writing the name of God and the name of the city of God on us identifies us as belonging to God. Our Lord also says He will write on believers His new name. The new name suggests that in Heaven we will know the glorified Christ as He really is. In this life, we can never fully comprehend the glorified Saviour in all His heavenly splendor. Like all the other letters to the churches, this letter concludes with the warning to hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. To let God do extraordinary things through ordinary you, remember Jesus’ power, remember Jesus’ perspective, and remember Jesus’ plan.

V. Conclusion

Our Saviour gave three wonderful and encouraging promises to this church. First, He would take care of their enemies. One day, these people would have to acknowledge that the Christians were right! If we take care of God’s work, He will take care of our battles. Second, He would keep them from Tribulation. This is surely a reference to the time of Tribulation that John described in Revelation 6-19. This is not some local trial, because it involves “them that dwell on the earth.” The immediate reference would be to the official Roman persecutions that would come, but the ultimate reference is to the Tribulation that will encompass the earth before Jesus Christ returns to establish His kingdom. In many Bible scholars’ understanding, Revelation 3:10 is a promise that the church will not go through the Tribulation, but will be taken to Heaven before it begins. 1 Thess 4:13 “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” ‘Behold, I come quickly’ would strengthen this view. The third promise to the Philadelphia church is that God would honor them. Revelation 3:12 “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” The symbolism in this verse would be especially meaningful to people who lived in constant danger of earthquakes: that stability of the pillar, no need to go out or to flee, a heavenly city that nothing could destroy. Ancient cities often honored great leaders by erecting pillars with their names inscribed on them. God’s pillars are faithful people who bear His name for His glory. Galatians 2:9 “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” In a very real sense, the church today is like the church at Philadelphia, for God has set before us many open doors of opportunity. If He opens the doors, we must work; if He shuts the doors, we must wait. Above all, we must be faithful to Him and see the opportunities, not the obstacles. If we miss our opportunities, we lose our rewards (crowns) and this means being ashamed before Him when He comes. 1 John 2:28 “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”