Part 11 | The Church in Philadelphia

Read Revelation 3:7–13 (ESV)

Intro

We’ve been going through Rev. 2 and 3.

Comprised of letters to each of the seven churches, given by Jesus to write down by the apostle Paul.

These letters were then distributes— with the entire book of Revelation— to each of the seven church.

Apparently this messenger (or these messengers) visited John while he was in exile on the isle of Patmos, and then they delivered the letter to the churches.

Ephesus

Committed to the truth and rejected heresy and evil

Faced judgment because they had forsaken their first love

Smyrna

No rebuke is given to this church

They are faithful in the midst of poverty.

The Lord encourages them to continue to be faithful.

Pergamum

Were holding to the Lord in the face of persecution

But they faced judgment, because they were comprising with the wold concerning immorality and idolatry

Thyatira

They had good works and the Lord praised them for their endurance and good works.

But they had completely given themselves over to sin and even advocated sin within their mist.

Judgment was sure to come if the church did not repent

Sardis -

They had a good name… they looked alive.

But Jesus knew their hearts. They were spiritually dead.

Jesus says nothing good to say to them, except that there was a faithful remnant within the community.

Today: Philadelphia

They, like Smyrna are given no rebuke.

No such thing as a perfect church.

Having said that, Philadelphia is a faithful church that God blesses

No warnings, no condemnation, no judgments

Philadelphia Background

Philadelphia was a city in Asia minor comprised of both Jews and Gentiles

They had a large enough Jewish population to have a temple

The church in this city faced persecution, both from the Romans and the unbelieving Jews.

Important: The city was prone to earthquakes.

The city was devastated by an earthquake in AD 17

Description of Jesus

Holy One and True One

In Rev. 6:10 God is referred to as holy and true.

Revelation 6:10 (ESV)

They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Here we see the deity of Jesus

Sovereign Key of David

This image is taken from the description of Jesus in chapter 1 verse 18, that says He hold the The Keys to Death and Hades

The reference here come from Isaiah 22:22 where Eliakim holds the key of David… a symbol of authority referring to his authority for OT Israel.

Isaiah 22:22 (ESV)

And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Eliakim is a type of Christ. In revelation, the symbol is amplified. Christ has authority over all things… particularly over salvation and judgment. He decides who enters into God’s Kingdom.

No-one can rob Christ of his authority. What he opens, no-one can shut.

Commendation

Good Works (v. 8)

Importance of Good works (obedience)

They Are the True People of God

Revelation 3:8 (ESV)

“ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

Open Door which no one is able to shut

The believers were under heavy persecution from the Jews

John 9:22 (ESV) (Jesus healed a blind man and his parents were scared to mention that Jesus had anything to do with it.) Here is why:

(... for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone should confess Jesus to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.)

If you were a Jew and confessed Jesus, the you were put out of the synagogue doors.

Suggesting that you were not part of the people of God.

Jesus says, I’ve opened the door (to the Kingdom of God) and no one can cast you out.

Small But Effective

The church has “little power”

Likely refers to the size of the church especially in comparison to the Jewish synagogue.

Though they are weak, Christ is strong and the Jews will not overcome them

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-11

2 Corinthians 12:9–11 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

Effective Evangelism

BTW, the open door reference also refers evangelization… preaching the Gospel. Colossians 4:3

Colossians 4:3 (ESV)

At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—

These believers continued to preach Christ in the Face of persecution, and the gospel message would not be stopped.

The Church is Part of the True Israel (again part of the true people of God)

The Jews in the synagogues who rejected Jesus were not true Jews (Synagogue of Satan)

The believing Jews were cast out… they were rejected as true Jews

Read Romans 2:29

Jesus is saying that the believers (Jews and Gentiles) who were rejected as being Jewish are actually the true Jews

Instruction

Revelation 3:11 ESV

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

Endurance: keep on holding to Christ

Those who endure to the end will be saved (Matthew 24:13)

Salvation in three tenses: We are saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved.

Promise

(v. 9)

Jesus says those Jews who reject these believers will come and bow down at their feet:

This makes me think of the story of Joseph

His brothers rejected God’s call on his life

But they came eventually and saw that he was called of God. They bowed at his feet.

As part of the “open door” analogy, it is likely that Jesus is saying that one day some of those that are denying Christ will recognize their error.

In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. Romans 14:11

The Jews will see that God Loves the Believers

God loves everyone in a general sense

But He has a special love for the redeemed.

The Jews thought that God had rejected these believers who professed Christ.

One day it will be evident to them that God loves them.

God will keep these believers from the hour of trial

This is likely not in reference to a “rapture”

This letter is referencing a certain people at a certain time

“the whole world” likely refers to the Roman world

John 17:15 ESV

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

It seems like this is God’s wrath coming upon the Roman world.

The Israelites were shielded from the plagues that came upon Egypt

The church will be shielded from the judgment of God.

Even more, the true believers will not be overcome spiritually. The Evil one will not crush the believers, even when chaos hits the world.

Those who endure til’ then end will be pillars in the temple of God (v. 12)

Remember the context of the earthquakes that Philadelphia endured

The believers will be pillars that will not be moved, though the world is shaken with tribulation.

They will receive their final vindication.

God’s Name will be Written on them (They belong to God)

Revelation 3:12 (ESV)

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

The Name of the Heavenly City will be written on them

Those who endure til’ the end. The ones who don’t comprise will enjoy eternity on the new earth… and will forever be with the Lord.

Application

Though We are Small, We can be impactful and receive God’s Blessing

We must continue to preach the Gospel… it will be effective even though multitudes are trying to shut it down. (God keeps the door open)

Not all who claim to be Christians really belong to God

When we go through trials and tribulations, we won’t be crushed

We must endure til’ the end… we will belong to God forever and enjoy the new earth.