Keeping You From the Hour Of Trial.
Revelation 3:7-13TPT
These verses were written to the Christians in the Asian city of Philadelphia in about A.D. 96, John, in the book of Revelation, assured those in Philadelphia that they were, indeed, the heirs to salvation.
Revelation3:7TPT Write the following to the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia, for these are the solemn words of the Holy One, the true one, who has David’s key, who opens doors that none can shut and who closes doors that none can open:
What is the Key of David? The Key of David is a term found in Revelation and Isaiah. A key indicates control or authority; therefore, having the Key of David would give one control of David’s domain, Jerusalem, the City of David, and the kingdom of Israel. The fact that, in Revelation 3:7, Jesus holds this key shows that He is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, the ruler of the New Jerusalem, and the Lord of the kingdom of heaven.
In Isaiah 22:22NKJV The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
Eliakim is being addressed and here he’s seen as a type of Christ; so Eliakim shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open"
In Revelation 3:7, Jesus calls Himself the True One; The Holy One.
These are words that are found time and time again in the OT writings.
Verse 7 of Revelation 3, say’s the True One has the key of David, meaning, if you’re hungry for more of God, you have to come through the open door of Jesus.
Revelation 3:7TM Write this to Philadelphia, to the Angel of the church. The Holy, the True—David’s key in his hand, opening doors no one can lock, locking doors no one can open—speaks:
Understand this—in all your planning. Jesus can open any door that none can shut! He can also shut doors, that none can open.
Matthew Henry—Jesus has the key of government and authority in and over the church.
Jesus opens and closes—He opens a door of opportunity to his churches; he opens a door of utterance to his ministers; he opens a door of
entrance, opens the heart. He shuts the door of heaven against the foolish, who sleep away their day of grace; and against the workers of iniquity, how vain and confident they have become.
When it comes to open doors, you can’t do anything better than ask God to open or shut any door. There are times we pray—God, Your will be done. P.H
Revelation3:8TPT I know all that you’ve done. Now I have set before you a wide-open door that none can shut. For I know that you possess only a little power, yet you’ve kept my word and haven’t denied my name.
Wow, God states—I have set before you a wide-open door, and no one can shut it.
Revelation 3:8TM “I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.
The church is commended as Jesus say’s, You kept My word, and refused to deny My name even in difficult times.
A man once came to the Rev. Charles Spurgeon and asked how he could win others to Jesus. Spurgeon asked him, “What are you? What do you do?”
The man said, “I’m an engine driver on a train.”
“Then,” said Spurgeon, “Is the man who shovels coal on your train a Christian?”
“I don’t know,” said the man.
“Go back,” said Spurgeon, “and find out and start on him.”
“Open doors are all around us!” P.H
Revelation3:9TPT Watch how I deal with those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews but are not, for they’re lying. I will make them come and bow down at your feet and acknowledge how much I’ve loved you.
Some were Jews in name only; Some are Christians in name only.
The testing that Christians are subject to, either make us, or break us.
How about this Covid-19 testing?
Revelation 3:9TM “And watch as I take those who call themselves true believers but are nothing of the kind, pretenders whose true membership is in the club of Satan—watch as I strip off their pretensions and they’re forced to acknowledge it’s you that I’ve loved.
Those that choose to sit in judgement, those that jumped ship because things got too tough, One day, according to Verse 9, of Revelation 3, Those that fell away will acknowledge the churches commitment. P.H
Don’t just call yourself a true christian be one. Pastor Jack Martin said, America as a society, we don’t feel the need anymore for deep spiritual roots.
There is often a sad shallowness to the life of the unsaved. But I see those here who are pressing in with the Lord, gaining in His Word, letting the dross be skimmed away in your life.
Revelation3:10TPT Because you’ve passionately kept my message of perseverance, I will also keep you from the hour of proving that is coming to test every person on earth.
In verse 10, we read where there will be a Divine separation among true-believers, and non-believers; Moreover, those who are christians in pretty much, name only.
Revelation 3:10TM “Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I’ll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.
What testing could Jesus be speaking about here? I believe Jesus is speaking of the testing (or trials) of our faith. The things that we go through and endure. P.H
What is the passionate patience that’s spoken about here in Revelation 3:10?
James 1:2-4ESV Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Revelation3:11TPT But I come swiftly, so cling tightly to what you have, so that no one may seize your crown of victory.
Jesus say’s, “I will come swiftly.”
And then He say’s, So cling tightly to what you have…
Question—So What do you have?
Revelation 3:11TM “I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon. Keep a tight grip on what you have so no one distracts you and steals your crown.
"You can’t afford to give in whatever the excuse may be.” P.H
Say this with me—Ain't nothing going to steal my crown.
Again verse 11, Jesus say’s, I’m on my way; I’ll be there soon.
I believe He’s speaking of the Rapture of the Church. Nothings stopping that.
1 Thessalonians 4:15-18NLT We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
“Somewhere near the beginning of Matthew 24, Jesus is coming for His bride. A bride that knows Him, serves Him, serves others, Loves Him and loves others.” P.H
Revelation 3:12TPT For the one who is victorious, I will make you to be a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, permanently secure. I will write on you the name of my God and the name of the city of my God—the New Jerusalem, descending from my God out of heaven. And I’ll write my own name on you.
Who are the ones that are victorious? Those who keep the faith.
God can and will bless—little faith, some faith and much faith.
However, Jesus can’t nor will He bless—no faith. P.H
Revelation 3:12TM “I’ll make each conqueror a pillar in the sanctuary of my God, a permanent position of honor. Then I’ll write names on you, the pillars: the Name of my God, the Name of God’s City—the new Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven—and my new Name.
Testimony—My brother was a Physics teacher at Etowah High, He’s retired now. When Harry met the new students each year sooner than later, he will gives each one of them a name, A nickname. It brings a smile, a laughter.
Guess what? We are going to have a new name!
Revelation 3:13TPT So the one whose heart is open let him listen carefully to what the Spirit is now saying to all the churches.
Jesus wants to be heard…
Jesus wants to be clear…
Revelation 3:13TM “Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.”
In closing, Until Jesus comes, His spirit operates out of His Church, His body.
Two final questions—Are you connected to the body, do you love the body of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Benediction.
