February 12, 2012

The Biggest Little Church
Revelation 3:7-13

Jesus’ encouragement for this small and seemingly insignificant church still resonates powerfully, especially for faithful followers faced with overwhelming, crippling circumstances.

“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: ‘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.’ ”

Who’s speaking?

Jesus—He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens (v. 7)

What’s He saying?

·   Words of Encouragement

1) I have put before you an open door which no one can shut (v. 8).

for a wide door for effective service has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. (1 Cor. 16:9)

that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ (Col. 4:3)

What open door has God place before us?

2) I will make your strongest opponents know that I love you (v. 9).

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (Col. 3:3-4)

What opposition are we facing today?

"I'd go to jail rather than cave in to a government mandate that violates what God commands us to do. Would you?"  ~ Rick Warren

3) I will make him a pillar in the temple . . . and he will not go out from it anymore (v. 11).

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

What circumstances overwhelm us right now?

Spouse—critical, sarcastic, unsupportive, and rude toward your belief in Christ

Children—wonder why you stay involved with a seemingly insignificant church

Employer—bends the rules, turns a blind eye, hostile toward God, indifferent toward Christianity

If you are experiencing tectonic shifts, sudden rifts in your life where the foundation is crumbling. . .then hold fast!

·    Words of Exhortation

Hold fast what you have (v. 11).

What do we have?

Jesus’ promises and praise—an open door; little power; faithful obedience; love; protection; glory

So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14)

Jesus’ Words to the Philadelphia Church

Words of Encouragement—Praises and Promises

·    I have put before you an open door which no one can shut (v. 8).

·    I know you have little power (v. 8).

·    I know you have kept My word and have not denied My name (v. 8, 10).

·    I will make your strongest opponents honor you one day (v. 9).

·    I will make your strongest opponents know that I love you (v. 9).

·    I will keep you from the hour of testing (v. 10).

·    I am coming quickly (v. 11).

·    I will make him a pillar in the temple . . . and he will not go out anymore (v. 11).

·    I will write on him:

        (1) the name of My God,

        (2) the name of the city of My God

        (3) My new name (v. 12).

Words of Exhortation

·    Hold fast what you have (v. 11). 

More Thoughts on the Revelation

Basic outline for each of the seven letters:

·     To the angel of the church in a given city, write:

·     Jesus (gloriously described, often in terms from 1:13-18) says:

·     I know (most often giving praise) this about you

·     But I have this against you (reproves where applicable)

·     Here’s what I expect from you

·     Listen to what the Spirit says

·     Here’s a promise

Philadelphia had been founded by the citizens of Pergamum in a frontier area as a gateway to the central plateau of Asia Minor.  Trade routes to Mysia, Lydia, and Phrygia merged in Philadelphia.  Rome’s imperial postal route also went through Philadelphia, earning the city the name Gateway to the East.  Plains to the north were suitable for growing grapes, so Philadelphia’s economy was based on agriculture and industry.  The earthquake of A.D. 17 that had destroyed Sardis had also been particularly devastating to Philadelphia because the city was near a fault line, and it had suffered many aftershocks.  This kept the people worried, causing most of them to live outside the city limits.

After the earthquake, Philadelphia received help for rebuilding from Rome.  In appreciation, the citizens changed the name of the city to Neocaesarea.  Later, the name became Flavia, and then Little Athens because of its many temples and religious festivals.  Grapes were an important crop for Philadelphia, and wine-making was an important industry. Worship of Dionysus may have been the main religion.

Philadelphia was a small church in a difficult area with no prestige, discouraged because it hadn’t grown.  But Christ had no words of rebuke for this small, seemingly insignificant church, and he described himself to the church in Philadelphia as him who is holy and true. This title (also translated “Holy One”) was a familiar title for God (see Isaiah 40:25; Habakkuk 3:3; Mark 1:24; John 6:69).

--Bruce B. Barton, et. al., Revelation: Life Application Bible Commentary, p. 42.

Located on a hillside about thirty miles southeast of Sardis, the city (modern Alashehir) was founded around 190 B.C. by Attalus II, king of Pergamos.  His unusual devotion to his brother earned the city its name, “brotherly love.”  The city was an important commercial stop on a major trade route called the Imperial Post Road, a first-century mail route.  Although Scripture does not mention this church elsewhere, it was probably the fruit of Paul’s extended ministry in Ephesus (see Acts 19:10).

--John MacArthur, Revelation: The Christian’s Ultimate Victory, p. 27.

So they are doubly encouraged, for Christ who nullifies the opposition also magnifies the opportunity.  The door has been opened by him, and none can shut it.  Let them again take heart, and use the strength they do have in the service he sets before them.

--Michael Wilcock, The Message of Revelation, p. 56.

 
Key Phrases from Revelation 3:7-13

He who is holy (v. 7) – This is tantamount to declaring that He is God, which of course, He is.  Jesus Christ is holy in His character, His words, His actions, and His purposes.  As the Holy One, He is uniquely set apart from everything else, and nothing can be compared to Him. -- Warren W. Wiersebe, Be Victorious: In Christ You Are an Overcomer, p. 52.

key of David (v. 7) – See Isaiah 22:15-25

an open door (v. 8) – The phrase, “I have opened a door for you that no one can close” may mean that the church had a prime location for missionary activity—they had an open door that no one could shut.  The meaning, however, may refer to the Jewish believers who had been excommunicated from the synagogue for their faith in Christ (see 3:9).  While the door to the synagogue remained closed to them, Christ had opened a door . . . that no one can close.  The door to eternal life stood open to them, and Christ held the keys.  No one could keep them out if they trusted in Christ. – Bruce B. Barton, et. al., Revelation, p. 43.

have kept My word (v. 8, 10) – See Revelation 1:3; 2:26; 3:3; 12:17; 14:12; 16:15; 22:7, 9

I will keep you (v. 10) – See Matthew 6:13; John 17:15; 1 John 5:18.  This phrase can mean (1) keep you from undergoing the trial, or (2) keep you right through the trial.

hour of testing (v. 10) – See Daniel 12:1-13; Mark 13:19; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12;

James 1:2; Hebrews 12:1-3

take your crown (v. 11) – See Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 4:7-8

a pillar in the temple (v. 12) – The believers who are victorious and remain faithful to the end receive the promise to become pillars in the Temple of my God. The word “pillars” symbolizes permanence and stability.  Philadelphia was constantly threatened by earthquakes.  Often experiencing tremors, the people would evacuate the city and stay in temporary dwellings in the rural areas.  Sometimes the pillars would be the only part of a building left standing after an earthquake.  This permanence is further stressed in the next phrase, “they will never have to leave it.” – Bruce B. Barton, et. al., Revelation, p. 45.

name of My God (v. 12) – See Exodus 28:36, 38

new name (v. 12) – The bestowal of a “new name” (mentioned in 2:17) in biblical tradition ordinarily means a change of status or function for a city or nation (Isa 1:26; 60:14; 65:15; Jer 3:17; 23:6; 33:16; Ezek 48:35; Zech 8:3) or a change in the character, conduct, or status of an individual (Gen 17:5, 17; 32:27-28; 41:45; Dan 1:7; Mark 3:17; John 1:42). Speaking of the future glory of restored Israel, Isa 62:2 reads “you shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will give.” – David E. Aune, Word Biblical Commentary, p. 244.

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