(TAB) Have you ever been betrayed by someone you love?
When I think of betrayal I think of a scene in one of my favorite movies – (TAB) Braveheart. William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) is fighting for Scotland to be free from the tyranny of England. Their only hope is if all the Scottish clans unite and fight as one. Over time, they do. And in the midst of a strategic battle that could win their independence… a few of the clans stand down. Men are bleeding on the battle, many dying & they’re betrayed by their own countrymen.
To confirm which Scottish leader is behind choosing to side with England – William Wallace races to confront a helmeted figure. In a fight, William removes the helmet to reveal that the betrayer is a beloved and admired friend. Watch how William reacts: ((TAB)-Video clip w/sound)
Betrayal is incredibly painful.
In the (TAB) book of Revelation, before all the apocalyptic prophecy… Jesus has John the Apostle transcribe (TAB) 7 letters to 7 churches. These are letters from Jesus preparing these churches, as well as us, for the future. Today we look at a church who knows the pain of betrayal. (TAB) The church of Philadelphia.
Let’s grab out Bibles and turn to (TAB) Rev. 3.
Philadelphia was established in 189 B.C. by (TAB) King Eumenes II of Pergamon. He named the city for the love of his brother. His brother was so loyal to him he earned the nick name (TAB) Philadelphus, literally meaning “One who loves his brother. So the King built this city and called it (TAB)Philadelphia – which mean: brotherly love. The city was located on one of the greatest trade routes in the world. (TAB)Philadelphia was the door through which all trade between Asia and Europe passed.
Let me give you the back story on why this church knew betrayal. For hundreds of years prior to this letter, Israel experienced war and persecution, many of the Jews were taken captive, others fled. Those who fled ended up in cities and towns in Egypt, Greece and Asia Minor and elsewhere. They wanted to remain true to their faith so they built synagogue to worship in.
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, His apostles went out into the world to share His saving message. They were generally welcomed into these synagogues –after all they were their Jewish brothers. During the visit they would share about Jesus – some in the synagogues believed and trusted in Jesus as the promised Messiah. But over time, as the number of Christians grew - the message that Jesus was the only way to God the Father caused the Jews to begin excluding them. They weren’t allowed to attend synagogue anymore.
Author and Cornerstone University president Joe Stowell (TAB) says: “They were kicked out… they were alienated from family and friends. Because the synagogue was the center of the social life… the sense of exclusion was deep.”
Imagine what it would be like if you as a Christians went to worship with your family and friends and a leader met you at the door and said “No, you’re not allowed here anymore”. It would be horrible! They lived in a city named “BROTHERLY LOVE”, but that’s not what they experienced. They felt… betrayal by their own people.
Again let me quote Joe Stowell (TAB):
“In the early time of the empire Jews were exempt from having to say, “Caesar is Lord”. They had a register in the synagogue and the names that were on the register were exempt. Christian names… would be struck from the registry. If the Roman official came and the Christians were proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, their lives were at stake.”
So, not only were they excluded but they were at more risk of persecution. With this background, let’s look at what Jesus says to the church of Philadelphia, (TAB) Rev. 3:7 “To the angel of the church of 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.”
Remember this is a letter from Jesus. How do you think those words made them feel? He said He is holy and true? (TAB) HOLY: meaning one who is perfect in goodness and righteousness, (TAB)TRUE meaning without error but also one who is steadfast, loyal, faithful, unlike the synagogue. Jesus knew the exact words they needed to hear.
He also says, he holds the “keys of David”. This is a Jewish reference to King David of Israel. Jesus is saying, “I hold the authority as King of the Jews. Their fellow Jews had let them down, but Jesus says, “I will never let you down. I’m the authority that matters most.” He goes on to say that, what He opens no one can shut and what He shuts no one can open. They had the door of the synagogue shut to them… it seems to me that Jesus is letting them know His door will never be shut to them.
But also, remember Philadelphia was the door of trade to Europe and Asia. It’s very possible Jesus is reminding them of the work He has for them. The door to the Jews might have closed, but the door to much of the world is opened and they are to share Jesus with those who walk through that door.
We’ve seen that Jesus generally share words of commendation and condemnation… But with this church He only shares commendation (TAB) Look at verse 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.”
He alludes again to the open door. Remember how I said in past weeks that with there being (TAB) “7” churches and “7” being the Jews number that symbolized “completion”, and how this led some to believe that these churches could reflect 7 historical church ages? If that’s the case then (TAB) Philadelphia could represents the church of the Great missionary movement: From 1648 to 1900. During this time in history, incredible doors opened giving inroads to reaching the world with the message of Christ.
Jesus tells them “the door is open for you”. As Christians, we can allow so many things to get in the way of our serving, of our ministering to our community. Feelings of being inadequate, unprepared, we letting fear stop us or we can get to busy…. and before long the Christian life become more about what we believe, than, what we do. If that’s you, remember Jesus words here… He’s the one that opens doors. He calls us to do ministry, to serve. Remember Jesus words in Matt. 16 (TAB) “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matt. 16:18
Notice it speaks of “the gates” of Hades… if we’re at the gates of Hades then who’s on the offense? (TAB) The church is! Jesus is sending US out to share His truth & love. We’ve got work to do. He’s opened a door for us, and no one can shut it until God says so. He’s not calling us to simply be here on Sundays so people can come to us… because most won’t. He’s calling us to go to them. To take His grace and truth, to share His truth in love with the world, with our own city. We’re to storm darkness with light - not just shine our light when darkness comes our way. Jesus says, “GO!” GO into all the world and make disciples. Win the lost, build up the believer and equip the worker – for what reason – so there are more to go again. And then when we’re done, do it again and again, generation after generation. We’re to STORM THE GATES OF HADES. The gates will not prevail against us… Jesus has opened the doors, we’re to be: on a mission sharing His message.
Back to verse 8, Jesus says, “you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” This is incredible. Even though their own people – the Jews – have shut them out - putting their lives at risk… they’ve remained faithful & true. The part that says “You have little strength” Many Bible teachers believe it could be a hint that this church wasn’t a large church. They didn’t have big #s but they were faithful.
Jesus tells this little church of Philadelphia, you might not be big, but you are faithful and true to me. (TAB) V. 9
“I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars
And He goes to the betrayers. He doesn’t mince words. He call them the synagogue of Satan? Isn’t that a bit harsh? Well, during Jesus ministry He was very clear that there are “true” spiritual Jews who are God’s people – they know God – and they will recognize His son – Jesus. (TAB) Jesus says, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.” John 8:4. But then there are Jews in “blood only”. They don’t here so they don’t belong to God. And Jesus said to them (TAB) “You are of your father, the devil” John 8:44
That’s what this synagogue is. So Jesus calls them a
synagogue of Satan, liars. Remember, To reject Jesus is to reject God. Jesus says, (TAB) “Whoever hates me, hates my Father as well.” John 15:23.
John continues in v. 9, “I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.” There is coming a day that these unbelieving Jews will humble themselves and acknowledge that Jesus loves His church. We don’t know when. Perhaps at the end, when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess – we don’t know. But Jesus says it will happen.
(TAB) v. 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 earth.
Again, if the 7 churches also reflect 7 historical church ages, then verse 10 could be viewed with an end times perspective - meaning that God will keep this church of the Great Missionary movement from seeing the hour of trial – meaning the tribulation period that the book of Revelation shares details on. They won’t see it at all.
BTW, the last of that generation is gone now.
(TAB) v. 11 “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.” Again with the historical-church-ages idea, Jesus could be saying – that when this church-age happens in history, His arrival for the church is getting close. So He encourages them to keep fighting the fight of faith. To not get comfortable! To not take the easy route. There are rewards for the faithful and true.
(TAB) v. 12 “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it.
Jesus says to all who overcome, “I will make [you] a pillar.” Interesting, in ancient Philadelphia if a person was held is special high regard in the community, perhaps because they supported and brought stability to the community, they could receive the honor of having (TAB) a pillar erected in their name. Pillars aren’t designed to move… they’re there to stay… Jesus says the same for those who overcome… and notice where the pillars He will make are located, “In the temple of my God”. The word for “temple” here, is the word (TAB) Nao in the original language, it’s not the temple in general – it’s the inner sanctuary of the temple…(TAB) the Holy of Holies.
This is the most sacred place in both the tabernacle and the temple. It’s where the (TAB)Ark of the Covenant was housed with the 10 commandments inside. On top of the ark was the mercy seat where the very Spirit of God would rest. Only 1 time a year could anyone enter this sacred space, and that was the high priest on Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement.
He would have to wash, have his sin atoned for through sacrifices, because, if he entered this space unclean he would die. Rabbi’s taught that they would tie a rope around the High priest’s waist, so that if he did died, they could drag him out without so they wouldn’t having to enter.
Jesus says, you who overcome… the faithful and true will be granted access into the presence of almighty God, not once a year, but all the time. That’s an honor that surpasses any achieved by mortal man.
Back to v. 12 (TAB), “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.
Again this is for overcomers, those faithful and true to Christ. But what’s all this writing of names? The names stands for (TAB) authority, character and person. If you have the name, YOU have authority, character and the person of Jesus given to you. In (TAB) 1 John 3:1,2 followers of Jesus are called “children of God” (they have God’s name). They’re called that twice. And then it says, “when He [Christ] appears, we shall be like Him….” We will reflect Him, we’ll reflect His authority, His character, we’ll reflect Jesus Himself. Now this sound a bit odd until we go back to the beginning, in Genesis.
At creation, when God made man, he made Him in His image… now we’ve marred that image with sin. It’s still there – it’s just been scratched and dulled it with sin. What we’re seeing here in v. 12 is a restoration – the chance to again brilliantly reflect all that God is – to reflect, as we we’re originally intended. His authority, His character, Jesus himself, “We shall be like Him.” 1 John 3:2
Then Jesus closes the letter by sharing the same words He does in every letter. (TAB)v. 13 “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
We learn from the church of Philadelphia, that Jesus isn’t looking for us to be big – He’s looking for us to be true to Him. And when we are – others might turn on us, betray us, hurt us. But Jesus encourages us by letting us know that He knows, He cares, and we need to just keep our eyes on Him & His work. Sharing His mission.
Application question for us to answer:
(TAB) Are your eyes on Him?
(TAB) Are you being faithful and true to His mission?
Many wonder if we are near the last days? I do know this - we’re closer than we’ve ever been. And I know that Jesus is calling us to be true and faithful to Him. To keep our eyes on Him. Faithful and true at His mission. The doors are wide open. There are thousands of things you can do for Christ, choose something and pour your heart into it so you can be an overcomer.
And when it’s hard, when maybe we’re betrayed for Christ. remember Romans. 8:18 (TAB) “…what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.”
The sacrifices are so worth it. Father, it’s the price past generations have paid, that we are Christians today. They were faithful and true to you – we benefit it from that. May we do the same for the next generation. And Father, if there are any listing today that have never turned their heart and life to Jesus – Lord, convict them right now – let them know you love them with an everlasting love. You want them called by your name. (salvation)
