Book of Revelation Part 8 Revelation 3:7-13

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1 Book of Revelation Part 8 Revelation 3:7-13 The Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) Philadelphia: - A city in Asia Minor - 28 miles southeast of Sardis - Means brotherly love - Named after its founder: King Attalus II Philadelphus, of Pergamum ( BC) - He was a great admirer of his brother Eumenes II, king of Lydia and gave him the name brother lover - When Eumenes founded this city he named it after the name that was given to him - Nicknamed little Athens because of its many temples and festivals to pagan deities - AD17; a great earthquake destroyed it (same as Sardis) - Emperor Tiberius of Rome invested in it (same as Sardis) - It is still a city today: A suburb of Athens, Nea Filadelfia (New Philadelphia) Read Revelation 3:7-13, To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My Word and have not denied My Name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept My command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the Name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them My new Name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The Description of Jesus Vs. 7, These are the words of Him who is holy This is a common Old Testament description of God 2 Samuel 2:2, There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides You; there is no Rock like our God. - Hannah s prayer - Jesus describing Himself as Holy indicates that He is the same God of the Old Testament Holy means: 1. Morally and Spiritually Excellent (Perfect) 2. Set Apart (Consecrated) * Not only is Jesus Morally and Spiritually Excellent - He is the ONLY one in Creation who is! Vs. 7, and True In contrast to the cast of evil players throughout the 7 letters: - the false gods (idols) - the false apostles (Ephesus - Rev 2:2) - the false teachers who mislead my servants (Thyatira - Rev 2:20)) - the Sardis church who had a reputation of being alive, but are dead (Rev 3:1) - the liars (vs.9) God never lies! Numbers 23:19, God is not a man, that he should lie, not a man, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? Jesus is the ultimate proof that God never lies! 2 Corinthians 2:20, For no matter how many promises God has made, they are Yes in Christ. And so through him the Amen is spoken by us to the glory of God. Jesus IS the Truth! John 14:6, Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. 7 If you really know Me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.

2 - Note: These last 2 scriptures have to do with God and Jesus being the same. This reinforces Jesus reference to being Holy. - By saying, Holy and True, Jesus is wanting to make it perfectly clear that throughout the ages the Godhead (The Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit ) have NEVER lied and will NEVER start to lie. - True = Greek alethinos = Very God So, you know that what Jesus says, He will do! - In this letter alone, Jesus makes 6 I will statements (i.e. - I will make them ; I will also keep you ; I will write on them my new Name ) These are the words of Him who is holy and True - You can trust what Jesus is saying in this letter - This bookends with For Him who has ears, let Him hear - Jesus part: His words are deliberate and holy, and true - Our part: Listen and obey His words Vs. 7, who holds the keys of David God s Promise to King David: 2 Samuel 7:11&16, The Lord declares to you that the Lord Himself will establish a house for you 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. - Notice how the promise links the house with the kingdom - 1 Chronicles 3 - outlines the Kingly Line of David: - Solomon, Rehoboam, Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah, Jehoiskim, Zedekiah - Then Babylonian Captivity no king! - After Captivity (70 years) Zerubbabel (Books of Nehemiah and Ezra) - Then you don t hear about anymore Kings for the rest of the Old Testament - New Testament: Israel is in Roman Captivity - no Kings - But God did NOT fail in His promise to David! John 1:49-50, Then Nathanael declared, Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel. 50 Jesus said, You believe! Not only that Revelation 19:16, On His robe and on His thigh He has this Name written: King of kings and Lord of lords. Not only that Revelation 1:5-6, To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father 2 Timothy 2:12, if we endure, we will also reign with Him! The Kingly Line continues through Christ and His Followers (Born Again)! So, the keys of David is not just referring to the Kingly line that is given to us through Jesus death and resurrection. - The keys of David are the keys that unlock Salvation! Revelation 1:18, And I hold the keys of death and Hades. John 14:2-4, My Father s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going. - This confirms that House indicates Sonship (Heir), Protection, Provision, Relationship Vs. 7, What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. This scripture has been used in many, many contexts: Jobs, Home Purchases, Ministry Opportunities which are all relevant, but here is the original context: - Jesus is speaking to the problem of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not. - The Judaizers were the ones who continually tried to enforce Jewish traditions and laws on Christians. Since Christians are saved by Grace and not be Works, by enforcing these things, they were shutting the door on the free gift of Salvation paid for by Jesus on the Cross.

3 - Jesus is saying, Don t listen to them! Only I can open and shut the door to Salvation! Only I have the Keys! Vs. 8, See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut! - Notice that Jesus remarks, however, that when the door is shut, NO ONE can open it Also, in Revelation chapter 4, immediately after the letters are written, Jesus calls John to the Throne Room where he sees a door ; It would seem reasonable that on the other side of the Door of Salvation is Heaven! Commendation Vs. 8, I know your deeds He has said this in one way or another to all of the churches so far: - I know your deeds (4x s now) - I know where you live - I know your afflictions - I KNOW! - Brings Peace, Comfort and Caution all at the same time! Vs. 8, I know that you have little strength Weakness is the prerequisite for a powerful thing to happen to you. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - However, it is only for those who choose to offer their weakness to God - 2 choices: Complain, Worry, Fear OR Trust God, Give Him Praise in the midst of your weakness -Vs. 8, yet you have kept My Word Yet - Not only is our weakness a prerequisite for God s Strength, it cannot be used as an excuse - Once again, Jesus is not willing to let them fail in ANY area regardless of their trial Keeping God s Word is different than knowing God s Word - I can preach and teach God s Word better than I can live it - Keeping God s Word is Doing it! John 4:34, My food, said Jesus, is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. - Note: Just reading the Bible isn t Food! Vs. 8, and have not denied My Name Their battle was against the Judaizers who were enforcing Traditions and Laws upon them. If they gave in, and started to believe that those things Saved them instead of the Cross of Christ, they would be denying the Name of Jesus! Colossians 2:16-17 & 20-23, Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ 20 Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21 Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Galatians 2:21, I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing! * Only Jesus Blood Saves you; and Only Jesus Spirit Empowers you to live Righteously - I m a good person denies the need for the cross and therefore denies Jesus Name! Rebuke None! Promise Vs. 9, I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan Here Jesus uses the same terms He used in His letter to the Church in Smyrna: This speaks of His Passion about this topic: - He uses the term synagogue out of spite: - The Tabernacle was God s Idea (Exodus 26) - The Temple was God s Idea (1 Kings 5)

4 - The Synagogue seems to be a man made idea (no scriptural reference for specs) - Religion is man s attempt to get to God (or appease Him) Following the House theme: - They have built their own building instead of living in My House - My House ( Keys of David ) = Sonship (Heir), Protection, Provision, Relationship - Man s House ( Synagogue of Satan ) = Slave; Fear; Toil; Death - It also contrasts the Promise of the overcomers being a Pillar in the Temple in the New Jerusalem Vs. 9, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars Jesus deciphers between Jews of Natural Descent (of Abraham s line) and Jews of Spiritual Descent (Born Again into God s family) Romans 2:28-29, A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Romans 9:6-8, For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham s children. On the contrary, It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham s offspring. - Salvation is not dependent on bloodline or works. It is dependent on Faith in Jesus Christ! Liars indicates that He is talking about Spiritual Jews (Believers) and not Physical Jews (Israel) - Jews who don t believe Jesus is the Messiah aren t necessarily liars - Christians who don t act like it are liars Vs. 9, I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. To Smyrna, Jesus encourages them to persevere under the persecution of those who call themselves Jews and are not; the synagogue of Satan. Revelation 2:10, Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. - But to Philadelphia, He gives a Promise! I will make them indicates by force not by will. - Therefore, it is not an act of repentance (and therefore salvation) - This may, then, be referring to the Final Judgment Romans 14:10-11, For we will all stand before God s judgment seat. 11 It is written: As surely as I live, says the Lord, Every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will acknowledge God. - If this is the case, it shows the undivided relationship between God and His followers (heirs, children) because unbelievers will also fall at your feet. Again, following the House principle) - They will fall down at the Child s feet BECAUSE the child is loved by the Father Vs. 10, Since you have kept My command to endure patiently, Since indicates a cause and effect; reaping and sowing - and it starts with us! - The Will is a powerful thing. God will not go against the Will of man - The entire Word of God is built on God saying, If you, I will Jeremiah 29:11&13-14, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. James 4:8, Come near to God and He will come near to you. Matthew 6:25&33, Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 23:37, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. * YOU are the reason you are Hot or Cold or Lukewarm for the Lord. Not circumstances, not other people, not the Devil, not God YOU! * Your Will has the power to move you ahead or be left behind

5 command to endure patiently - Recurring theme of Perseverance; Endurance; Overcome to the End - This is the first time Jesus says, It s not a suggestion it s a Command! Jesus knows first hand Patient Endurance - He patiently endures with every person on the planet until they come to know Him. He has no other hobbies. People is His focus. Vs. 10, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth Remember, since you endured patiently ; the result is you will be kept from the hour of trial Traditionally thought hour of trial referring to the Tribulation: 7 years of intense trials - This will ultimately determine who is Faithful to Christ and who will shrink away under the persecution - We ve heard it all the way through the letters: - Trials come to test our faith! - Let perseverance complete it s work in you - Will you be a Victim of Suffering or a Student of Suffering - HERE, Jesus indicates that He KNOWS about this coming Tribulation and is ALLOWING it because He sees it s ultimate purpose. In fact, HE ORDAINS IT - Claiming Faith is one thing; Living it is another; Trials prove its existence! Hebrews 12:7&11, Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Why will the Church in Philadelphia not have to go through the Tribulation? - Because their faith was already proven! - They were already trained by it - NOTE: Some Christians go through trials unnecessarily. They didn t learn the first time. They complained all the way through and didn t learn the lesson; the very reason the trial came to begin with. If this refers to the Tribulation which will come to the whole world (inclusively), how will Philadelphia avoid it? (look at the next line!!) Vs. 11, I am coming soon. Seems to indicate a Pre Tribulation Rapture! The Imminent Return of Christ changes: - Priorities - Endurance Exhortation Vs. 11, Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The crown symbolizing authority and leadership - The one who earns and wears the crown will be a leader in the New Heaven This also indicates that one can earn a Crown but it can be taken away - It s not how well you start it s how well you finish! To Sardis, Jesus said, Strengthen what remains and is about to die ; Repent! - Here, no repentance is necessary because they are already enduring patiently! - Like a coach on the sidelines of a WINNING TEAM! Hold on to the Win until the final second! - I am coming soon! is the reminder that the game is almost over! Promise Vs. 12, The one who is victorious Again, the recurring theme of perseverance to the end! - Even though Philadelphia is doing well at the time of the writing of this letter, it still won t be enough if they don t persevere Vs. 12, I will make a pillar in the temple of my God Philadelphia was renown for earthquakes. The term Pillar would be very meaningful for them.

6 Pillar indicates a necessary part of the building - In indicates that it s not holding up a balcony or veranda, it s holding up the roof! - They will be indispensible, irreplaceable in the New Heaven and New Earth - This is a place of Leadership (confirming the leadership of the crown ) Vs. 12, Never again will they leave it Eternity is a long, long time - The literal Greek interpretation is, never more at all When Jesus, who is Holy and True, says, Never, He means, Never! Vs. 12, I will write on them the Name of My God A mark of ownership and relationships (not on a garment or a banner given to them but a marking: a tattoo) When I got married, my wife took my name - To take (or give) someone s name is a great honour and responsibility - Rights - Inheritance (what s mine is yours) - Authority - Representation - Relationship (the most intimate. I have close friends but they don t take my name) My God makes me feel like Jesus is relating to us on our level. Though He IS God, He wants to connect with us on our Created level. Vs. 12, and the name of the city of My God Indicating that they are a welcome citizen of the New Jerusalem with full rights and privileges that come with it. (Provision & Protection) - Like receiving a stamp at Cedar Point: Show it and get on any ride for free! Jesus then appropriately describes the splendour of it s Source: Vs. 12, The new Jerusalem, which is coming down OUT of heaven FROM my God Following the House theme. Because you are in My House instead of man s House (synagogue) I will give you a City from My God! Vs. 12, I will also write on them My new Name Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Jamieson/Fausset/Brown at present incommunicable and only known to God: to be hereafter revealed and made the believer s own in union with God in Christ. Christ s name written on him denotes he shall be wholly Christ s. New also relates to Christ, who shall assume a new character (answering to His new name ) entering with His saints on a kingdom not that which He had with the Father before the worlds, but that earned by His humiliation as Son of man. Jesus mentions this twice (also to the Church in Pergamum) - He seems to be excited about His New Role - He will write it on them so they can Share in this New Role - Get Excited with Jesus! - Again, Relationship is the key motivator. It is the Revelation of Jesus Walk with Me. Rule with Me. Talk with Me. Recap and notice the intense relationship expressed here: - The Name of Jesus God, The Name of Jesus God s City, Our New Name Personally Chosen and Marked on us by Jesus Vs. 13, Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. - Who has ears? EVERYONE! Jesus wants EVERYONE to be Saved; with Him for Eternity