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Friday, March 31, 2023

Revelation 3:7 <>< 7-13 This Message Is Sent to You by The One Who Is Holy And True.

7Write this letter to the leader of the church in Philadelphia.

This message is sent to you by the one who is holy and true and has the key of David to open what no one can shut and to shut what no one can open.

8I know you well; you aren’t strong, but you have tried to obey b and have not denied my Name. Therefore, I have opened a door to you that no one can shut.

9Note this: I will force those supporting the causes of Satan while claiming to be mine c (but they aren’t—they are lying) to fall at your feet and acknowledge that you are the ones I love.

10Because you have patiently obeyed me despite the persecution, therefore I will protect you from the time of Great Tribulation and temptation, d which will come upon the world to test everyone alive. 11Look, I am coming soon! e Hold tightly to the little strength you have—so that no one will take away your crown.

12As for the one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God; he will be secure and will go out no more; and I will write my God’s Name on him, and he will be a citizen in the city of my God—the New Jerusalem, coming down from heaven from my God; and he will have my new Name inscribed upon him.

13Let all who can hear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.[1] 

G.  The Message to Philadelphia: The Church That Is Faithful & Alive,

Revelation 3:7–13

1.      The Recipients (Re. 3:7).

2.      The Speaker: Jesus (Re. 3:7).

1.   The recipients

a. The messenger of the church

b.The Philadelphian churchDS1

2.   The speaker: Jesus

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

3.   The commendation

a. They had made great use of the open door of evangelism & missions

b. They had kept Christ’s Word

c. They had not denied the Lord’s name

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

4.   The two great hopes

a. There will be great vindication: The persecutors of the believers will either be saved or judged

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

b. There will be great deliverance: From the hour of trial, a period of great tribulation coming upon the earth

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

5.   The counsel: Christ is coming soon; therefore, hold fast

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

6. The promise: To the overcomers

a.  Will be made a permanent part of God’s house

b.   Will receive security

c.  Will receive God’s name, belonging to Him

d.  Will receive the name, be made citizens of God’s city

e.   Will receive the Lord’s new name, known only to God

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

 

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.


B. THE DEDICATED CHURCH REVELATION 3:7–13

The church in Philadelphia is the sixth of the seven churches addressed in this book of Revelation. It was an unusually dedicated church.  

1. The Church (Revelation 3:7)

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write (Revelation 3:7). “Dr. Clovis Chappell said, ‘Were it my privilege to go back across the years and attend a service at one of these seven churches, I think I should choose the church at Philadelphia’ ” (Strauss). Philadelphia was located some thirty miles southeast of Sardis towards Laodicea (the city of the seventh church). It was located near Mount Timolus, which was in an area that had a devastating earthquake in the first century which completely destroyed Sardis and severely hurt Philadelphia, but it was rebuilt, and a testimony for Christ was established. The church in Philadelphia and Smyrna are the only churches that have nothing condemnatory about it in these seven letters in Revelation.  

2. The Christ (Revelation 3:7)

These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth, and shutteth, and no man openeth (Revelation 3:7). Two things are said about Christ here which are related to what was said of Him in the first chapter of Revelation.

• His character. He that is holy, he that is true (Revelation 3:7). This speaks of sterling character, which is represented by the white of his hair (as white as snow [Revelation 1:14]) and by the appearance of His eyes and feet and countenance all of which not only spoke of judgment but spoke of His holiness which demanded judgment. Christ is wholly without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), and Christ is truth (John 14:6).

• His control. He that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth (Revelation 3:7). This statement compares to Revelation 1:18 Ihave the keys of hell and of death.” Having the key of David indicates the earthly lineage of Christ, which entitled Him to the throne of David, which also speaks of control. Christ controls the eternal destiny of the sinner. Once they are in hell, they cannot get out. He has locked them in hell. What a horrible thing to be without soul salvation.[2] 

G. The Message to Philadelphia: The Church That Is Faithful and Alive, Revelation 3:7–13

(Revelation 3:7–13) Introduction: Have you ever seen a church that is alive and faithful to Christ? A church that focuses upon Jesus Christ? A church that makes Jesus Christ the center of its ministries and activities? A church that focuses upon reaching and growing people for Christ? A church that focuses upon teaching people to love Christ and to love one another more and more? This was the church at Philadelphia. The very word Philadelphia means brotherly love or one who loves his brother. The believers at Philadelphia loved Christ; therefore, they gave their hearts and lives to Christ. They lived like Christ said to live, and they carried out the mission of Christ upon earth. The church at Philadelphia was alive and faithful. It represents all the churches down through the ages that are alive and faithful. It shows us exactly what Christ wants a church to be.

Note: there is no complaint or warning against this church. Jesus Christ has only praise and exhortation for the church that is alive and faithful.  

1.   The Recipients (Revelation 3:7).

2.   The Speaker: Jesus (Revelation 3:7).

3.   The commendation (v.8).

4.   The two great hopes (vv.9–10).

5.   The counsel: Christ is coming soon; therefore, hold fast (v.11).

6.   The promise: to the overcomers (vv.12–13).   

1 (Revelation 3:7) Minister—Church: there are the recipients of the letter. The letter is addressed to the minister of the church, but the Lord expects the minister to share it with the church. The church was alive and faithful to Christ, and it was up to the minister to keep the church focused upon the mission of Christ. The minister was the God-appointed leader to keep the church alive and faithful. The church would most likely remain alive and faithful if the minister would …

· live in the Word of God

· live on his face in prayer

· preach and teach the Word of God

· exhort the believers to live for Christ, to study the Word, pray, witness, and minister faithfully

· lead the church to set up ministries that would reach the lost, build up the believers, minister to the needy, and reach out to the world by supporting worldwide missions

If the minister slacked up or failed in any of these, the church would lose some of its focus upon Jesus Christ. It would no longer be as alive or faithful as it should be. But if the minister remained diligent, alive, and faithful himself, the likelihood is that the church would stay alive and faithful to Christ. This is the reason Christ addresses the letter to the minister. 

 

DEEPER STUDY # 1

(Revelation 3:7) Philadelphia: there are five historical facts that seem to have a bearing upon the message to the church.

1.   Philadelphia was founded as a border town to spread Greek culture to surrounding areas. In fact, it was situated right on the borders of Lydia, Mysia, and Phrygia. The church knew exactly what it meant to be missionary minded, to have an open door for the spread of the gospel (Re. 3:8; see Ac. 14:27; 1 Co. 16:9; 2 Co. 2:12; Col. 4:3). 
 
2.  The name Philadelphia means brotherly love. The very name of the church gave the believers a constant reminder: they must love one another if they were going to fulfill their missionary calling. 
 
3.   Philadelphia knew what it was to live in the midst of insecure surroundings and under constant stress and strain. The city sat over a large earthquake fault. In a.d. 17 a terrifying earthquake hit a huge area. It completely destroyed Sardis and ten other cities. Philadelphia was spared total destruction. But for years, the city was hit by unending tremors—each adding its own panic and crumbling walls to the devastation. The experience of having to constantly run in and out for safety terrorized the population. The experience was never forgotten by succeeding generations. The church knew what it was to be given the hope of becoming a “pillar in the temple of God” and the promise to the overcomer that “he shall go no more out” (Re.3:12). 
 
4.   Philadelphia, after its destruction by the earthquake, was given aid by the emperor Tiberius for rebuilding. In appreciation, the city changed its name to Neocaesarea, the New City of Caesar. The church knew what it was to be given a new name (Re.3:12). 
 
5.  Philadelphia had a Jewish synagogue within its city limits. The Jews claimed to be the only followers of the true God (Re.3:9). They claimed the keys of David, the right to open and to shut the door to God and His kingdom (Re.3:7). The church knew what it was to trust and know Him who alone “is true [and] … hath the key of David [and] … openeth and shutteth” (Re.3:7).


2 (Revelation 3:7) Jesus Christ—Church: there is the speaker, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. What Jesus Christ says about Himself speaks to the heart of the church that is alive and faithful.

1. Jesus Christ is holy. The word holy is a description of God Himself. Jesus Christ is claiming to have the very same nature as God the Father, to be perfectly holy even as God is perfectly holy. Remember that holiness means to be set apart and different from all other beings, completely and totally set apart. Christ is supremely holy. He reaches the summit of being different from all other beings. This means something significant for the church that is alive and faithful. It means they are worshipping and following God Himself by following Christ. By giving their hearts and lives to Christ, they are giving themselves to the sovereign Majesty and supreme Force of the universe, to the Most Holy God Himself. The church is, therefore, under His care and love. Christ Jesus, the Most Holy God, will look after and take care of the church if the church will just continue to be alive and faithful.

×          “Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy” (Ps. 99:9).

×          “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3).

×          “Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me” (Jn. 8:46).

×          “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed” (Ac. 4:27).

×          “By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus” (Ac. 4:30).

×          “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Co. 5:21).

×          “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (He. 4:15).

×          “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (He. 7:26).

×          “Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest” (Re. 15:4). 

2. Jesus Christ is the One who is true. The word true (alethinos) means the true as opposed to the false, the genuine as opposed to the counterfeit, the real as opposed to the unreal. Jesus Christ is the true, genuine, and real God. He is the only living and true God. There is none other. All the other gods worshipped by men are false, counterfeit, and unreal. This, too, means a wonderful thing. God is not far off in outer space someplace, too far off to be known or reached. He is not the shadowy figure that most men imagine Him to be. God is not distant from us. He has not left us in the dark to grope and grasp and to stumble about trying to find Him. God does not hate us; He has not left us in the dark about Himself. God loves us. He has revealed Himself to us. He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to bring the truth to us. Therefore, in worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ we are worshipping the only true and living God. What the faithful church must do is continue to follow Christ, continue to make Him the focus of all that it does. When the church makes Him the center of all its ministries, activities, and meetings, then the church is following the truth—following Him who is true.

×          “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (Jn. 1:9).

×          “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (Jn. 1:14).

×          “Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven” (Jn. 6:32).

×          “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6).

×          “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman” (Jn. 15:1).

×          “Pilate, therefore, said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth my voice” (Jn. 18:37).

×          “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth” (1 Jn. 2:8). 

3. Jesus Christ alone is the key of David, the key that “opens, and no man shuts, and shuts, and no man opens.” What is the key of David? There is an event in the Old Testament that tells us. King Hezekiah had a faithful servant who was named Eliakim. This servant was the personal secretary to king Hezekiah; he was put in complete charge of the king’s affairs. No one could gain entrance into the king’s presence without coming through Eliakim. This servant alone determined who entered the king’s court. God spoke to Isaiah the prophet one day and said the following words:

×          “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his [Eliakim’s] shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Is. 22:22).

The key of David is the symbol of authority. Jesus Christ alone opens and shuts the door into God’s court and presence. He alone determines who lives in heaven with God the Father. He alone grants entrance into the presence of God. The door into heaven is opened and closed by Him and Him alone. No other person or being has that authority. Jesus Christ alone holds the key to open and shut the door to life eternal. Therefore, the church that focuses upon Jesus Christ can be assured: that it shall live forever. When the time comes, Jesus Christ shall open the door of heaven. The church that takes all its ministries, activities, and meetings and makes Jesus Christ the center of them all—that church shall live forever.

×          “And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man” (Jn. 5:27).

×          “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Ti. 2:5).

×          “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (He. 7:25).

×          “But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises” (He. 8:6).

×          “And for this cause, he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance” (He. 9:15).

×          “For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us” (He. 9:24).

×          “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel” (He. 12:24).

×          “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jn. 2:1).[3] 

THE OBEDIENT CHURCH / REVELATION 3:7–13

About twenty-five miles southeast of Sardis, on a high plateau, sat the city of Philadelphia. The city was also about one hundred miles due east of Smyrna (another city on the letter carrier’s route).

Christ had no words of rebuke for this church. Though small and struggling, the church in Philadelphia had stayed true to Christ, and he told them simply to hold on to what they had.

To the angel of the church in 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.” Re. 3:7 NIV

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 leading 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 and no wealth, 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).

For Christ to hold the key of David means that he has the authority to open the door to his future kingdom. This alludes to an event recorded in Isaiah 22:15–25 when the official position of secretary of state in Judah was taken from Shebna and given to Eliakim. God, through Isaiah, said to Eliakim: “I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. He will open doors, and no one will be able to shut them; he will close doors, and no one will be able to open them” (Isaiah 22:22 nlt). Christ holds absolute power and authority over entrance into his future kingdom. After the door is opened, no one can shut it—salvation is assured. Once it is shut, no one can open it—judgment is certain.[4] 


 Revelation 3:7-13 This Message Is Sent to You by The One Who Is Holy And True. 

b 3:8 you have tried to obey, literally, “you have kept my word.”

c 3:9, while claiming to be mine, literally, “say they are Jews but are not.”

d 3:10  I will protect you from the time of Great Tribulation and temptation, or “I will keep you from failing in the hour of testing.” The inference is not clear in Greek as to whether this means “kept from” or “kept through” the coming horror.

e 3:11 soon, or “suddenly,” “unexpectedly.”

[1] Taylor, Kenneth Nathaniel. 1997. The Living Bible, Paraphrased. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House.

DS Deeper Study

[2] Butler, John G. 2010. Analytical Bible Expositor: Revelation. Clinton, IA: LBC Publications.

[3] Leadership Ministries Worldwide. 1996. Revelation. The Preacher’s Outline & Sermon Bible. Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.

NIV Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

nlt Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

[4] Barton, Bruce B. 2000. Revelation. Edited by Grant R. Osborne. Life Application Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

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