Series: Rev’d Up – Book of Revelation
Thesis: We need to receive a fresh revelation of Jesus Christ daily so we do not fall asleep at our assigned mission. We need to know He is coming back soon! Having a vision of Jesus will also give us the inner strength to stand for the Gospel in a hostile world even to the point of death.
Key verse of Revelation: Text: Revelation 12:11: “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Summary of churches see power point map:
1. Ephesus – The loveless church
2. Smyrna – The persecuted church
3. Pergamos – The compromising church
4. Thyatira – The corrupt church
5. Sardis – The church of the walking dead
T.S: We need to adhere to the blessings of Revelation and especially to the one which tells us to STAY AWAKE FOR CHRIST!
Rev. 16:15 states, "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Sermon: Rev’d up 7
The church of Philadelphia – The faithful church
Thesis: This little church is commended by the Holy and True One. They are going to be greatly rewarded in heaven for staying faithful and not denying his name when persecuted.
Text: 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. (Rev 3:7 NIV)
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. (Rev 3:8 NIV)
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. (Rev 3:9 NIV)
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. (Rev 3:10 NIV)
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Rev 3:11 NIV)
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. (Rev 3:12 NIV)
1. Blessing of deeds done for Christ. The church of Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).
A. Message to Philadelphia church – The name means “brotherly love.”
1. Historical Background:
i. Philadelphia was founded around 150 B.C. by King Attallus of Pergamum, whose nickname was Philadelphus.
1. This man was noted for the administration and love he had for his brother, Eumenes, and he named this city in honor of him.
ii. The city had been destroyed by an earthquake in 17 A.D. Sardis and other cities were destroyed by the earthquake and recovered quickly but Philadelphia suffered many after-shocks for a number of years. The result of theses after-shocks caused the people to flee regularly. It was even noted by some historians that some people lived in tents and huts outside the city for years until the shocks ceased.
1. Tiberius Caesar helped to rebuild the city and the city adopted the name New Caesar for a few years.
2. The Message to this church reveals more of the attributes of Jesus Christ.
A. More pieces to the puzzle are revealed about Jesus. The veil is removed more so we can see who He is, was and will be.
1. Words of Him who is:
• Holy -- morally perfect.
i. His character is without flaw or blemish.
ii. There is no evil in Him
iii. Thomas tells us this about the title Holy "Holy" he says characterizes - Jesus, ....as set apart belonging exclusively to God. Though He was opposed and rejected by the Synagogue and Jews. Christ is still characteristically Holy. Since He is Holy His words are Holy. Holy anointed words and messages therefore are to be obeyed.
iv. Remember the opposite of Holy is Evil.
• True -- He is the only thing which tells the truth – no lies – no deception – He is genuine reality.
i. He is the one behind all that really exists as real and true.
ii. Thomas states – “This title emphasizes Christ's authenticity. It tells us He is real not a myth or story but reality!”
iii. He states, "This term has to do with reality, however. When confronted by Christ, we are confronted by no shadowy outline of the truth, but with the truth itself" (273).
iv. With the fact established in this message to the Church – Jesus is the only TRUTH we are to be re-assured that when Christ promises something in His Word -- He will deliver it and fulfill that promise.
• The Key - He possess’ the Key of David – Not the Jewish Synagogue or religion! No other religion by the way holds the key to entrance into Heaven only Jesus does.
i. That is why He said in John 14:6 “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
ii. This image and thought is a reference to a true story found in Isaiah 22:15-25 -- In the days of King Hezekiah there was an official named Shebna. He was the chief-of-staff in charge of the palace or we could say the White House. He had been caught in a personal scam at the expense of others and he did it for personal gain. He did this for his own personal position and honor – pride in action here – God hates pride. God reveals to the swindler that he is going to take him and whirl him around and around like a shot put and hurl him into a distant country – there will be no resting place for him – he will not die in his position of honor but in disgrace in a foreign land as a slave. (Isa. 22:18).
1. It was a prophetic prediction that he would be banished to Babylon.
2. But in his place God would raise up a godly man named Eliakim, and God notes this about him, "I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens, no one can shut, and what he shuts, no one can open" (Isa. 22:17). (Info from Stedman)
iii. Christ's own ministry is that which unlocked the Old Testament for us and for the Jewish Nation. It also unlocked entrance in Heaven – for us to receive salvation and holiness by His sacrifice – its not something we earned but it is a free gift of grace from Jesus.
iv. The Key – a power image to be seen by the Apostle John locked on a prison island and to be communicated to the persecuted church because it means a symbol of power and deliverance.
1. People still use the symbol today of honor and power when they are given Keys to a City.
a. It is simply a gesture of thanks, honoring a person that has been significant in giving to the community. The mayor will often officiate and by giving the key officially recognize a persons contribution.
b. It is like getting a medal or an award for sacrificial service to that city.
c. It also relates back to ancient times when the city had walls and could not be accessed after dark without a key. The key was only given to those greatly trusted and honored as they could leave the city vulnerable to attack if the key was misused.
2. When I give someone a key to our building it is a symbol of trust and power and yet responsibility too.
v. Thomas notes this about the Key - Christ in His fulfilled sense controls the entrance to David's House, which ultimately refers to the Messianic Kingdom (The Kingdom of God). His Davidic lineage and authority are hinted at in Rev. 1:5.
1. The claims by the Jewish contingency in Philadelphia called “The Synagogue of Satan” would be outraged to hear who gave this church a personal message and called them of Satan. They would have gone ballistic! This imagery and the One who gave them their personal message would have set their group in a rage and they would be yelling “Blasphemy”.
2. The Jews believed they held “The Key” – not Jesus – Jesus makes it clear that they do not hold the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven and their deceitful religion does not lead people to Heaven.
vi. The Key opens and shuts doors!
1. This symbol designates who has the power to create and close opportunities in life. Success rests in God's hands through Jesus not in ours – why? We don’t have the keys.
2. Jesus alone has the power to admit into or exclude from The Kingdom of Heaven.
3. We will talk more about this dimension of Christ later in the Book of Revelation.
• I know - verse 8
i. The message reveals again Christ's intimate knowledge of the church and its current condition and setting – He knows about the persecution from the Jews – He sees it – he understands their situation.
ii. Have you seen through our walk through these churches this message – Jesus knows all about us – our church – our school – our lives – our failures and success? He knows – His head is not stuck in the clouds and pretending we don’t exist – He walks among us – He knows our pain – our grief – our suffering and our fears.
iii. He knows their names – their deeds – their commitment to not deny His name!
iv. I love it that God knows my name!
1. Story Shawn Bolz!
3. The message to this “Little Church” from Jesus.
A. They receive a commendation from the Alpha and Omega-- because Jesus Christ has seen how they never denied His name! How they have kept His Word.
B. "I know you deeds...you have little power, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name." (Rev. 3:8)
1. Illustration --The Little Train That Could-- from the book "The Littlest Engine."
1. His famous "I think I can, I think I can." Pulls a load up the mountain and the people on the train keep encouraging him that he can do it. All the big trains said he couldn't. Told him not to try. But he tried and he did it!
2. This church is similar to the little engine. All the world and others say they cannot do the task because they are to small. Yet because he believes he can and others encourage him he can he succeeds in completing the major task.
C. Philadelphia one of two churches that Jesus had no complaint against it. This church is one of two which receives a commendation for their labors. It is considered to be a small church with not many people in it but it is powerful for the Kingdom of Heaven.
i. YET Jesus states I know your size and your little strength "I know your works." and I am going to bless you. He wants to bless them because He states, "...you have kept my command to endure patiently."
ii. Elliot states, "How wonderful that Jesus says to them in verse 8, ‘I know Your deeds.' They're only little, they're small, they're insignificant (in the world's eyes) but Jesus knows them. What does Jesus know about them? ‘I know your deeds. You have kept My word, you have not denied My name. 'That's what Jesus knew about them."
iii. Size did not matter to Jesus! TRUTH and no compromise mattered the most in His eyes.
D. This church was small but it said, “We can make a difference!”, We can make a difference in the middle of this pagan city. We can make a difference with being testimonies to God's brotherly love. We can win the Jews to Christ. We will overcome their opposition.
i. Unity and love with no compromising is what Jesus saw and Jesus says "YES!" I see, I know , they can, they will because I open the doors and shut the doors. Size does not matter opposition does not matter, paganism does not matter, earthquakes do not matter it's 100% commitment to Christ.
ii. This church is never addressed as having any serious spiritual problems in their standing with Christ. They were focused and dedicated to Jesus Christ.
iii. Stedman notes this about our text, "...(this) teaches us something very important. It says that an open door is given when a church fulfills the conditions that will allow it to move through that door once it has been opened. Chief among those conditions is that it has discovered the power of the spirit. It is spiritual power the Lord is talking about. It is not so much strength as it is power-- power obtained by faith in Christ, ie by expecting God to act. Individuals in the church sense that God can do something. They look for an opportunity, a need to appear, and when they respond, a door opens for continued service which may grow even wider so others may enter with them." (2).
E. The promises to the little church Rev. 3:9-13:
i. "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. 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 word to test those who live on the earth."
1. First promise - Stedman notes, "To a church that is responsive and ready to be used, the Lord will use his power to "open and shut" to make their enemies respect them and openly acknowledge God's blessing upon them. We saw this phrase, ‘the synagogue of Satan," used also in the letter to the persecuted church at Smyrna. It referred to certain Jews in that city who claimed to be spiritual descendants of Abraham but on actuality they were only his physical descendants; their attitude toward the truth of God was far removed from Abraham's faith. The Lord himself continually confronted the Pharisees who claimed to be Abraham's descendants, but Jesus said to them, "You are of your father the devil,"(John 8:44). So here in the city of Philadelphia Jesus refers to this Jewish opposition as ‘the synagogue of Satan' but something amazing happens. They in the end somehow will come to respect the Christians"(3).
a. Some scholars believe this means they get saved and come to know Christ.
b. This church Is promised deliverance from the hour of trial:
2. Jesus says, “I am coming soon.” Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Rev 3:11 NIV) 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. (Rev 3:12 NIV) He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. (Rev 3:13 NIV)
ii. He who holds on receives the promise of being a pillar in the temple of God.
1. This means they are a support in God's Kingdom forever.
a. Overcomer -Rev. 3:12, Truth- I Tim. 3:15, apostles-Gal. 2:9
b. Stedman notes, "A pillar is a symbol of strength and permanence. Our Lord is promising those who hold on to what they have, a position in the life to come of strength and permanence; they will be someone who upholds things."
iii. Then the promise of God’s name – on them – The name of His city on them and even new names reflecting their spiritual legacy that was left on this earth for Jesus.
1. Names are significant in Scripture!
2. What’s in a name? The following from https://soundfaith.com/sermons/30685-sermon-11-acts-1126-whats-in-a-name-9-5-04
a. A CENTRAL TRUTH
i. We need to understand that in the Bible, NAMES ARE SYMBOLIC
ii. Scripture, names have meaning for the individual.
iii. The essence of the individual was captured in the name.
1. When God created Adam, He gave him that name because it means "man."
2. Eve was created. Her name means "mother of all living."
3. God brought the animals to Adam and his task was to name them all. I’m sure their names had something to do with the characteristics of each creature.
b. In the Old Testament we see parents choosing names for their children in order to reveal a nature.
i. Jacob was so named because he had his hand on his brother Esau’s heel. Jacob literally means "heel-catcher."
ii. His brother Esau (hairy) was so named because he was red and hairy.
iii. Judah means "praise." Samuel means "asked of God."
iv. We find God changing the names of certain people in the Old Testament.
1. Why did He do this? He did it to show that their lives now had a new direction, a new meaning, a new nature.
2. Abram was changed to Abraham, which means "the father of a multitude.
3. Sarai was changed to Sarah, which means "princess."
4. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel because he was a "prince with God."
5. Simon’s name was changed to Peter, which means "rock."
6. Saul’s name was changed to Paul, perhaps in honor of his first convert, Sergius Paulus.
c. In the Bible, God’s names are revelatory of His character.
i. God is revealed to us in Scripture by His names. They show us His nature.
1. He is El Shaddai, the Strong One.
2. He is El-Elyon, God Most High.
3. He is El-Olam, the Everlasting God.
4. He is Jehovah Jirah, the God Who Provides.
5. He is Jehovah Rophe, the God Who Heals.
6. He is Jehovah Shalom, the God of Peace.
7. He is Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts.
8. He is Jehovah Shammah, the God Who is There.
9. He is Jehovah Nissi, the Lord Our Banner.
10. And He is Jehovah Roi, the Lord Our Shepherd.
11. In Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6 it says of Christ that "His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."(NASB)
12. The names of our Lord Christ abound in Scripture.
3. What’s in a name?
a. There is much in a name. Names in the Scripture were symbolic and told a story of that person.
Conclusion:
What do we need to know from this message?
Answer: We need to know that Jesus holds the keys to heaven and even to opening and shutting of doors in our life. He is in control and He knows everything about each of us.
Why do we need to know this?
Answer: We need to know that He knows – He even knows our name – He is for us and He is there to help us and give us strength when we don’t have any.
What do we need to do?
Answer: We need to adhere to God’s Word and never deny His name in a hostile world. We will be rewarded for our faithfulness in heaven. We will be honored in heaven for standing for the truth in a world filled with lies.
Why do we need to do this?
Answer: Because when we stay faithful we will be given His name – even the name to His city – we will even be given a new name from Jesus which represented our legacy which we left on this earth.
