The Revelation of Jesus Christ
“The Church of the Open Door”
INTRODUCTION/REVIEW
Today we look at the last letter to the seven churches of Asia who represent church congregations throughout church history. The people are the same – problems are the same.
In these seven letters we find an extensive description of Jesus’ role as head of the church.
We also get an accurate view of what Jesus evaluates in a local church. What pleases Him?
What displeases Him? He clearly presents a solution; action necessary to get back on track or continue. He encourages these churches with a view to eternity and what every believer has to look for to as those who have overcome by their faith in Jesus Christ.
I. Prologue 1:1-20
The Prologue in chapter one recorded what John the aging Apostle saw (and heard) including a manifestation of Jesus far different from what John had known previously.
II. Jesus’ Messages to the Seven churches 2-3 (Things with are)
A. To the church in Ephesus – the passionless church 2:1-7
Repent – do the first-love kind of things.
B. To the church in Smyrna – the suffering church 2:8-11
Hold on to the end
C. To the church in Pergamum & Thyatira – the compromising church 2:12-17
Repent – Hold fast till I come
D. To the church in Sardis - the dying church 3:1-6
Strengthen what is and about to die.
E. To the church in Laodicea -- the lukewarm church 3:14-22
F. To the church in Philadelphia – the little church that could 3:7-13
History of the city
Philadelphia was the youngest of the seven cities cited in Revelation.
It is the city of brotherly love as a tribute to the love of Attalus II for his brother.
It was founded in 159-138 BC as a mission center for Greek culture to the surrounding area.
“the centre for the diffusion of Greek language and Greek letters in a peaceful land and by peaceful means." Ramsay aptly summarizes the characteristics of Philadelphia: “First, it was the missionary city; secondly, its people lived always in dread of disaster, ‘the day of trial’; thirdly, many of its people went out of the city to dwell; fourthly, it took a new name from the Imperial god.” Barclay's Daily Study Bible (NT).
The Church
The church at Philadelphia stood strong longer than any of the others. We don’t know who founded it. It was the last Christian church standing when the when the Islamic Turks flooded across Asia Minor. Even today, there is a church bishop and nearly 1,000 Christians in it and five flourishing congregations. Their Faithfulness in the midst of difficulty stood at the core of Jesus’ commendation.
1. Characteristic of Jesus 3:7
7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: Revelation 3:7
Jesus cites three characterizations of Himself to this church.
“He who is Holy”
This is a title attributed to God all through the Old Testament. Here, it is an attribute attached to Jesus. Holiness refers to the quality of being infinitely separated from all that is contrary to God’s moral standard. It means to be set apart for special use, pure, holy. The disciples recognized Jesus as the “Holy One of God” John 6:69
67 So Jesus said to the twelve, "You do not want to go away also, do you?" 68 Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life. 69 "We have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God." John 6:67-69
Jesus is holy and worthy of faithful service.
He who is true
There are two Greek words for true. One refers to a true statement as opposed to a false statement. The other refers to that which is real as opposed to that which is unreal or fake or counterfeit. Jesus is the ultimate measure of reality.
3 in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3
Everything should be measured by what Jesus said and did. Unlike most of the other churches, this congregation had remained true to Christ both in conduct (holiness) and truth.
Jesus is the truth and the source of what we believe.
He who has “the Key of David”
The “key of David” seems to refer to Isaiah 22:20–23 where Hezekiah’s servant, Eliakim, received authority over David’s house including access to all the king’s treasures. Jesus claimed to have God’s full administrative authority to distribute or not distribute all God’s resources according to His will. (Tom Contsable)
Jesus emphasized His unquestionable authority, ownership, power, sovereignty. In fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus also reminds them that it is the promised Messiah who now addresses them.
6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:6-7
He has the ultimate power to admit or exclude whoever He chooses. Jesus reminded His initial disciples of His ultimate authority.
18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18
Jesus holds the keys to the house of David and is worthy of ultimate honor.
2. Commendation 3:8
'I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Revelation 3:8
Jesus affirmed His intimate awareness of their difficult circumstances and the struggle of faithful ministry for Him in a pagan environment. Because of their faithfulness with what they had, He promised to keep the door of opportunity for effective ministry and service open.
Jesus focused on two commendable characteristics of this congregation.
You have a little power.
The word for power used here can refer to one’s strength or ability. Even though their size was small, these faithful followers of Christ used what limited ability they had to impact world around them.
You have remained true to me.
John used a Hebrew poetic form here called antithetical parallelism. The second line repeats the thought of the first line in an opposite way.
You have kept My word.
You have not denied My Name.
Basically he commended them for remaining true to Him. The name of Jesus was vehemently denounced by the Jews. Peter was commanded not to preach in “that Name.” They refused to even speak it. These faithful Christians refused to deny Jesus. They boldly proclaimed His life and teaching. Because of these things, Jesus promised to continue to give them opportunity for greater ministry.
“uncloseable open door”
We are not certain the specific reference to an open door. Most likely He used it as in other uses in the New Testament as a reference to a door of opportunity for the spread of the gospel.
27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. Acts 14:27
8 But I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost; 9 for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:8-9
12 Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ and when a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 I had no rest for my spirit, not finding Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I went on to Macedonia. 2 Corinthians 2:12-13
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. Colossians 4:2-4
The city had been founded as a center for “missionary” outreach for the Greek culture.
God opened the door to this church to be a missionary force for Christ. John used perfect tense verbs meaning Jesus opened a door at a point in time and the door is still opened.
It would be opened as long as He determined it would be open for no man could shut it.
Jesus encouraged them that their faithfulness would be rewarded by a breakthrough in their witness to this pagan city. Even though their presence seemed small and insignificant they were rewarded with eternal kingdom impact.
31 "But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:31-32
We have seen this principle play out many times throughout church history. The principles of evangelism are clear. It does not require great ability or strength or power. We cannot open the iron-gated doors of the heart of an individual or community. Only Jesus can open a door to the inner heart to receive the good news of new life in Jesus. We have a responsibility to pray for, wait for and walk through the doors Jesus opens for us. Jesus said I will build my church and the gates or doors of hell will not prevail against it!
3. Correction
No correction was necessary to this faithful church. It is interesting that the only two churches where Jews serving Satan are mentioned are the only two churches Jesus did not correct. Perhaps it relates to the severity of the persecution they endured. Here is a sample of the attitude of the Jewish leaders of that day.
For apostates let there be no hope, and the kingdom of insolence mayest thou uproot speedily in our days; and let Christians and the heretics perish in a moment, let them be blotted out of the book of life and let them not be written with the righteous. Blessed art thou, O Lord, who humblest the insolent. (Quoted in Hendrickson’s Commentary)
4. Action 3:11
11 'I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Revelation 3:11
What did they have? They had a solid commitment to serve Jesus. They had a door of opportunity to bear testimony to the world. Jesus urged this struggling church to continue to hold fast, seize, hold on to, grasp, their commitment to Him. He promised to return at which time He will present rewards for faithful serve to Him. Failure to serve faithfully results in a loss of reward.
12 Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
5. Consequence 3:9-10
Since there was no reproof, Jesus promised them the reward for their faithfulness.
9 Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie, behold, I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Revelation 3:9-10
They kept the word or command to persevere. Jesus promised blessing for their faithful endurance. He called them to look intently at what He wants to do for them. (Behold repeated twice).
He promised to force their enemies to bow down at their feet. He would compel them know Jesus’ great love for these believers. Those who ridiculed and persecuted the believers would be forced to acknowledge the truth. They would realize that these were the true believers loved by God and not them. It is a wonderful thing to know Jesus. It is more vital that Jesus knows us. There will be false converts that, in spite of amazing service in the name of Jesus, will hear Jesus declare, I NEVER knew you.” Jesus promised that their enemies and persecutors would one day have to acknowledge that the ones they persecuted were actually the true disciples of the living God and they were not. He also promised a special enabling in a time of testing. Because these believers at Philadelphia faithfully kept His word, He promised to keep them from or in “the hour of testing.” Many relate this “the hour of testing” to the Great Tribulation. It can refer to any period of testing. This promise would have had little meaning for the original reader if it only related to a future generation. Your faithfulness will benefit a group of people 2,000 years from today. If He referred to the Great Tribulation He could have said, “I will keep your ancestors from the testing.”
Why a promise to this small group of people rather than a promise to all faithful like in the overcomer promises? Jesus indicated a test that would come upon ALL the inhabitants (read unbelievers) of the earth. I could have indicated a time of testing for everyone that exposes their faith or lack of faith. There was no need to test these faithful followers of Jesus unnecessarily. Jesus promised not to keep them “from” such temptation but keep them “in” it.
6. Promise to overcomers 3:12
12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; 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 out of heaven from My God, and My new name. Revelation 3:12
This is an amazing specialized praise to the people of this congregation even though it still applies to all genuine believers. Because of a severe earthquake which severely damaged both Sardis and Philadelphia with aftershocks and tremors lasting in Philadelphia over several years, many of the residents had moved outside of the city for fear of injury. The city felt unsafe.
Jesus promised a secure place (pillars); a place of prominence and connection in His temple where they would never be forced by fear to move out.
Jesus also picked up on another historical event. The city changed its name several times in an effort to appease the current emperor. Jesus promised that true believers would bear the name of God, His great city the heavenly New Jerusalem and His own new name. John will later described the glorious New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven.
(20:10-27)
7. Call to pay attention 3:13
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
This statement expands the readership of these letters from the individual leaders and members of the seven local churches to anyone with a heart to hear from Christ in any and all the churches.
APPLICATION
FIRST – ENDURE TO THE END
We can learn much from the perseverance or endurance of these believers
All of us face tribulation.
Tribulations are those actions of people or events of life
that produce physical, psychological, spiritual pain and/or pressure.
Without tribulation, here is no need for endurance. The word means to “purposefully remain under”. Hold fast with joy and purpose.
Endurance
The faithful pursuit and practice of what is right before God,
in spite of emotions, or fatigue
and in spite of the pressure to escape, grumble, or crumble under the load
Endurance is the ability to respond as Christ would respond with love, gentleness and a servant's heart in spite of the pressure to pop and explode or quit. Endurance is the ability to grab and grip an eternal perspective and then act accordingly. Endurance refuses to take the fleshly escapes offered by the evil one and drawing upon the enabling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, respond to the situation according to the principle of sacrificial love and acceptance and future hope.
How do we respond to life’s difficulties?
With a resolve to draw upon the power of Christ or to flip out of control?
The tools
? The truth of Scripture that gives us His eternal perspective and hope
? The enabling power of the Spirit to respond with endurance
? Persistent Prayer for ourselves and others
Paul prayed for the Colossians to be…
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all endurance and long suffering; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Col. 1:11-12
It is the power of God that enables us not only to endure under trial, but to never give up.
Endure; hold fast what you have in Christ so that you will not lose your reward. Failure to respond biblically forfeits reward. Great deed, ungodly attitude or selfish motive forfeits reward.
SECOND
Pray for, wait for and walk through the doors of opportunity Jesus opens for witness.
