Philadelphia - The Faithful Church Pt. 2
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
We began looking at the sixth church of Asia Minor this morning, the church of Philadelphia - The Faithful Church...
We took a look at much of the same type of outline that we have for all these letters, and preached about the counselor and the commendation, tonight, we will look at the chastening, the counsel, and the challenge...
The Chastening
The Chastening
Well, If you haven’t noticed already, there is no chastening here…No words of condemnation...
There is a striking similarity between the church at Smyrna and the church at Philadelphia. It was to these two churches that Jesus offered nothing but praise.
The other churches were called to repentance but nothing is said about repentance to Smyrna and Philadelphia. This does not mean that these churches were perfect. No church is perfect. Every church, including these, has its flaws. They may not have been perfect in their accomplishment but they were perfect in their aim. They didn’t hit the target but they were aiming at it. The Lord Jesus knew their works. He knew the motivation behind their works and He found no fault with what they were doing. He voiced no complaint about their commitment. He listed all of their assets but none of their liabilities.
Looking on, we find:
The Counsel
The Counsel
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
One of the glorious aspects of biblical eschatology is that we should live in the hope of the any-time, imminent return of Jesus. Titus 2:13 calls it the “the blessed hope.”
The phrase or idea that “I come quickly” which is found all through the Book of Revelation is not a threat of judgment, but it’s a promise of deliverance!
Because His coming is imminent, any day, any time, they should hold on to what they have—
What do they have? A little power, their testimony, His Word, His name, His promise of deliverance—Why do we hold on to these things? That no one may take their crown.
I want to be clear right here, loss of salvation is nowhere in view, for that could never be taken.
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
So, there’s no way to equate this phrase with salvation...
What “take thy crown” refers to is that Satan or evil men could rob them of future reward if they get their eyes off Jesus or if they yield to temptation to deny His name or disobey His word.
Let me give you some examples from our past studies on the forms of evil that steal away our crowns:
Ephesus had a cold heart steals her’s away...
Smyrna had discouragement from tribulation and poverty steal her’s away...
Pergamos had worldliness and deception from false doctrine steal her’s away...
Thyatira had sensuality and immorality steal her’s away...
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
The thorns speaks of the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches. These things choke the Word so that the believer becomes unfruitful.
Don’t throw away your life and your blessings! Hold fast that which you have!
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
“Stay with it,” Jesus says. “There is a crown waiting at the finish line.”
Next, let’s look at:
The Challenge
The Challenge
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 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.
We’ve seen this term, “the synagogue of Satan” before in one of the previous churches…If ya’ll remember, this refers to the people who say they are Jews, but they are not real…Let me make this applicable to today - these are people professing, but not possessing.
Our churches are full of people that talk all sorts of talk, but their walk doesn’t match their talk…They are hypocrites. Instead of being in the church of Christ, they are actually in the church of Satan.
Jesus is faithful to His people. As the God of all the earth, He promised to make things right. Our exalted Lord’s words are bold but appropriate. Here He tells his church that he will make these that are of the synagogue of Satan,
Revelation 3:9 “...to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.”
Our Lord has a particular love for His children. Jesus promised His church that He will humble their enemies. The Lord brings about their humiliation. The Lord declares His unique and special love for His church.
The opposition God’s people face is often fierce and hostile, but it will not last forever. There is coming a day of judgment, a day of justice, a day of vindication.
9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Bowing to King Jesus either in glad salvation or in bitter submission, they will bow to Him as their Lord, Master, and Sovereign King and we that are saved will be with Him!
10 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.
There’s some disagreements on what exactly this verse is speaking of, but I’ll give you my belief...
This last phrase is significant and is repeated several times in Revelation.
In every instance it refers to unbelievers exclusively as the objects of God’s judgment and wrath (see 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8, 12, 14).
There’s some things here to note: “the hour of temptation” is focused on unbelievers.
I believe it’s a reference to the “tribulation” of chapters 6–19.
Christ promises deliverance or protection to His children not from trial or persecution in general but from a specific and definite testing that is aimed at rebellious humanity.
Let me sum it up for you…Christ promises to keep His church from the hour of temptation which is going to come to all the world, them that dwell upon the earth…So, if He promises that His church will be delivered from this tribulation as I’ve already explained, the way He delivers His church is in chapter 4 with the things which shall be hereafter!
There’s a division between chapter 3 and 4, something happens to switch from the things which are, to the things which shall be hereafter!
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.
Revelation 3:7 talks about Christ having the key of David and He can open and shut the doors that no man can…Well, I believe He’s going to open the doors of Heaven and tell His church to “come up hither” and He will take us out before He pours out this trying and testing on those who remain...
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.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
For overcomers, there are several promises here:
Jesus tells these believers that He will make set them as a pillar in God’s temple and they will go out no more. This was a message of hope to the people in Philadelphia. With all the earthquakes the city suffered, they were used to having to evacuate their city. Now, Jesus promises them that they will enjoy stability in His kingdom.
Let me tell you tonight: this world may rock and reel and troubles and trials may assault us day by day, but we have been placed on a solid rock and we are headed to a sure destination. There may be little stability in this world, but the saints of God will be fixed firmly in Heaven above and they will never be threatened, assaulted or attacked again! Nothing that troubles the church down here will be allowed to enter over there...
God says that His people will be identified with The Creator; with The City; and with The Christ—
• God puts His name on them to establish ownership. He has redeemed them and they are His forever!
• He places the name of the city on them because that is their destination. They might be living on the earth today, but they are headed for glory.
• He writes a new name for Jesus on them because they are special to Him. The name of Christ represents the fullness of His Person. And, in Heaven, they will see Christ in all His fullness! In the Old Testament era, His name was Jehovah. In the New Testament era His name is Jesus. In Heaven, He will have a new name!
Conclusion
Conclusion
The world might not see their value, but God does and He honors His faithful servants. The people in the church of Philadelphia had no security in the city where they lived. But, they had eternal security in their relationship with Jesus Christ and in His kingdom!
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
If you are lost and you would like to give your heart to Jesus you come.
If you are saved, but you haven’t been watching and you know you are in danger of losing your rewards, you come.
If you want to ask God to help us, and to give us wisdom as we move into His future, you come.
These precious words from our Lord should motivate us to serve Him faithfully until He returns for us.