Welcome back, friends. Today we will visit with the church at Philadelphia. This church is one that serves as a wonderful model for churches today. Let’s remind ourselves of Jesus’ words to this church.
Revelation 3: 7-13 NIV
7 “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 upon 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 will take your crown.
12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him 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 him my new name.
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Christ’s Commendations to the Church at Philadelphia
- In spite of their ‘little strength’ (small numbers) they had stayed faithful, and not denied Christ. This is the second church that has been commended for this (ref. Revelation 2: 13)
- Compromise among believers was prominent in this day for several reasons:
- There was intense pressure from the government to worship the emperor
- Relationships between Jews and Christians were not good. Recall the Curse of the Minim
- Pressure to denounce Christ and return to Judaism was great
- They had endured patiently. This type of endurance was what Jesus exhibited during His days on earth, and should be a model for every Christian.
Rebukes from Christ to the Church
- NONE – How wonderful!
Promises to the Church by Jesus
- Christ would put before them an open door that no one could shut. This is accepted to mean opportunities for service, probably to proclaim the gospel. First Corinthians 16: 8-9, 2 Corinthians 2: 12, and Colossians 4: 2-3 are all verses that speak of open and closed doors.
- Because they had responded to opposition with love toward their enemies, Christ would handle their enemies and cause them to bow down at the feet of the believers – vs. 9
- He would keep them from tribulation – v. 10
- Probably a near/far reference. Near: Roman persecutions that would come., Far: the great tribulation (Matthew 24: 21-22 and Daniel 9: 20-27)
- Many scholars understand this to be Christ’s promise to rapture the church so it will not have to endure the tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 4: 13 – 5: 11
- He would honor them; Make them a pillar verse 12 – symbolizes stability, permanence
- To have the name of God written on them symbolized ownership and intimate relationship by God of the overcomer.
- To have the name of the city of God, the new Jerusalem, represents eternal citizenship, safety, security and glory
- He encouraged them to hold onto what they have so they would not have their crown taken. This is the stephanos, or the victor’s crown. Christ was speaking of reward of the overcomer/believer.
- “Never again leave” or “He shall go out no more” – The people who lived in Philadelphia often had to flee the city because of earthquakes. This is almost certainly a reference to this fact. A day would one day come when the uncertainties of life would be no more.
Takeaway for the church in 2013
- Christ will always take care of us. He honors those who honor Him.
- He will walk with us in tribulation, or take us out of it.
- Hold on!! Jesus is coming back.
- Faithfulness pleases God.
There are huge encouragement from the church at Philadelphia for those of us who follow Christ today. This church is one that we would do well to study frequently.
Meet me back here next week as we begin our visit to the church at Laodicea. Christ saved the most interesting, yet most backslidden church for last. You don’t want to miss it.
