02.07. 7 Churches- 6- Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (Text: Revelation 3:7-13) The Seven Churches of Asia Philadelphia Background:
1. Philadelphia means the city of "brotherly love." The church in this town was only one of two who found no condemnation in the Lord’s letter to them.
2. Philadelphia was located 28 miles southeast of Sardis. It was a border town where the borders of Mysia, Lydia and Phyrgia met. It was recognized as the gateway to the east; thus, the gateway from one continent to another.
3. Philadelphia was built to spread the Greek language, way of life, and Greek civilization throughout the wilds of Phrygia and barbarous tribes beyond.
4. The city was located on the edge of a very fertile plain that was famous for its grape growing. It was rich in hot springs, to which the infirm came to bathe in the medicinal waters.
a.However its location was also on the edge of a volcanic area subject to frequent earthquakes. The people of Philadelphia lived a fearful unsettled life, frequently fleeing from the city and returning back. The city was devastated by an earthquake in AD 17. b.An important city from a commercial standpoint, but not equal to such cities as Ephesus or Laodicea which were near by.
5. Philadelphia was a center in its area for heathen worship. The principle god was Dionysus, the god of wine, but the multiplicity of gods and temples resulted in the title of "Little Athens" for Philadelphia.
a. Philadelphia honored its outstanding citizens by erecting pillars in the temples and inscribing their names on them.
I.ADDRESS II.DESCRIPTION OF THE SPEAKER Revelation 3:7 1."He that is holy." a.In whom holiness essentially dwells and from whom all holiness is derived. 1)Holiness means to be separate from sin; set apart to do the will of the Father. ( 2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Peter 2:5) b.This message is not from a sinner, but from him who is "holy..." Hebrews 7:26; See Revelation 4:8. c.He speaks with authority by reason of his inherent holiness. d.His bitter enemies could find no flaw in his character. John 8:46; John 18:38 ; Revelation 19:4-6; Matthew 27:4. 2."He that is true." There are two words in the Greek that is translated "true." Alethes, which describes a statement that is true and not false, (opposed to lying); and Alethinos, meaning true in the sense of real or genuine as opposed to that which is spurious. The second word is used here meaning that Jesus is the one person who is real and genuine. He is the "genuine" or "true" Messiah and GOD as opposed to all those false pagan gods at Philadelphia. a.He is the truth. John 14:6; John 8:32. Truth is the essence of his character. He is the one from whom all truth proceeds. He is trustworthy and cannot deceive himself or lead us astray. b.He is the true Saviour; the true Messiah (Acts 2:36); the true Light (John 1:9); the true Bread (John 6:32); and the true Vine (John 15:1). 3."Hath the key of David." This is quoted from Isaiah 22:22 "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." a.A "Key" is the symbol of authority and regal right. All authority belongs to Christ (Matthew 28:18). b.Christ now reigns (Ephesians 1:19-20; Luke 1:32-33). The power to "open and shut" shows his absolute dominion over the kingdom of the Lord (Cf. Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 3:22-23). 4.The Lord set before Philadelphia an open door. a.To preach the gospel -- 1 Corinthians 16:8-9; 2 Corinthians 2:12. b.Not limited to preaching but includes opportunity for spiritual usefulness -- Matthew 25:14-30. c.To heaven -- 2 Peter 1:10-11. 5.We should pray for open doors (Colossians 4:3). 6."None can shut." Adversaries shall not be able to prevent it.
III. WHAT IS RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH Revelation 3:8
1."Thou hast kept my word.’ Faithfulness and fidelity to the truth. a.Paul’s admonition-- 2 Timothy 1:13 The great need in the church is for loyalty to the word of God. The great weakness in the church is neglect and ignorance of the word of God. b.Ignorance will destroy -- Isaiah 5:13; Hosea 4:6 c.There must be no compromise with error-- Galatians 1:6-9 d."Keep" also means "do". Cf. Matthew 7:21,Matthew 7:24. 2."A little strength." a.This is probably not referring to spiritual strength but to such things as wealth, number, and social prestige. b.Her strength did not consist in social prominence, material wealth, numerical strength, nor intellectual wisdom; but in moral and spiritual strength. c.A small country church that refused to hide her light under a bushel. A congregation might be small but at the same time it might be strong. 3."Hast not denied my name." a.They did not refuse to wear it-- 1 Peter 4:16. We should not refuse to wear his name, because: 1)It is a divine name -- Acts 11:26 2)It is a pre-eminent name -- Php 2:9-11 3)In it we were baptized -- Acts 2:38 4)In it there is salvation -- Acts 4:12 5)All things must be done in it -- Colossians 3:17 b.Never let us bring reproach upon the Lord’s holy name!
IV.WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CHURCH -- Nothing is stated. They are vindicated instead.
V. THE CHURCH HAD ENEMIES Revelation 3:9
1."The synagogue of Satan." This is another strong indication that this letter was written before the destruction of the Temple, Jerusalem and the political power base of the Jews. a.These were Jews who refused to accept Christ as the Messiah and obey the gospel and were persecuting the Christians. b.They held error and opposed the truth. c."Synagogue" -- Satan has religious people as well as other kinds in his service. c."Worship" -- Cause to respect, maybe led to obedience. They would fall at their feet and know that Christians were loved by God ** The destruction of Jerusalem was a sign to all Jews that they had rejected the Messiah God had sent to them. "He came to his own and his own received him not". Now with the destruction of the Temple they would know that the Christians were the "real" "genuine" children of God. 2.The church has her enemies now, both within and without.
VI.PROMISED BLESSINGS Revelation 3:10-11 1.There was a present promise. a.Because they have kept the word of the Lord He will keep them from the hour of temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:13). Because of their faithfulness the worse of the "great tribulation" of Matthew 24:21 would not come upon them at Philadelphia. b."Keep word" = obey the Lord’s commands. c.They patiently endured in upholding the gospel in spite of opposition and persecution. 2.There was a future promise. a."Will make a pillar in the temple of God." b.Like the pillars of Jachin & Boaz in Solomon’s temple -- 1 Kings 7:21. c.This was an indication of permanent honor. Something that would remain and last as long as heaven. So, don’t become disturbed and distrust God. d."Go no more out." He would be a permanent resident of the temple of God, like a priest. Matthew 25:34 e.He would have the name of God written on them. To write one’s name upon anything was a common hebrew expression to denote taking absolute possession of it and making it completely one’s own. (Ephesians 1:7; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 7:14) VII.EXHORTATION FOR ALL TO HEED THIS LESSON -- Revelation 3:11
1."Behold I come quickly." Cf. Revelation 22:7, 12, Revelation 22:20. His coming to bring retribution on the wicked men who had rejected him and persecuted the apostles and prophets would be soon now. (Luke 18:7; Luke 21:22) 2.Will bring sudden calamity on churches in Asia if they do not hold fast. 3.Don’t lose the crown, hold fast. Cf. Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. The crown was a token of victory or reward for those who win. There is danger of a Christian not holding fast and thus loosing his crown. (Revelation 2:10; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 5:4) 4.Let no man take thy crown. Hear!