Revelations Ch 3
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Church in Philadelphia
Church in Philadelphia
Lets call it the faithful church
“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.
‘Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.
‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
‘I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.
‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Jesus Descriptor is Jesus is Holy, Jesus is True, who has the key of David ( comes out if Isaiah 22:22 it really means the one who has the keys has full authority to use them in the kings name) ( The key that belonged to Israel now belongs to Jesus) It is the Messianic key not just a Jewish key)
Jesus has full authority to let you in or keep you out. No one else has the heavenly authority. It reminds me of the scripture, I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father but by me.
Background
Philadelphia means church of brotherly love
situated on a main route - called the gateway to the east
The city was known for earthquakes - so a lot of inhabitants lived in the country side.
The Jews were aggressive against the church
The Good
Was not a powerful church but it was a faithful one.
God put before them an open door - a great opportunity - an open door opportunity
Paul prayed for an open door in Colossians
praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;
The Bad
No words of criticism.
The Situation
There were those who called themselves Jews but were not - there were liars
They were those who look like something on the outside but on the inside they are not.
For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.
But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.
This is a picture of rejection - You cannot be a Christian or a Jew if you reject the messiah.
You must come and recognize that Jesus is the Messiah.
It is also a picture of a Israel being restored - I will make them come and bow. Isnt it amazing that God never gives up on His people.
And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
Jews grafted in again.
The latter part of that message to the church has some interesting points to it
I will keep you from the hour of testing - this some say refers to the tribulation and that the church will be pulled out at the beginning of it.
God was going to honor this church They were going to be pillars and have crowns
They will have eternal stability and Blessed by God ( crowns denote victory)
The name you bear is the name of Christ - the name the world bears is the mark of the beast.
Church in Laodicea
Church in Laodicea
“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:
‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot.
‘So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
‘Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,
I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.
‘Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
‘He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
Laodicea- The Lukewarm Church
JESUS Descriptor - the so be it - the faithful and true witness - He is the beginning of all good things.
Background
It was a very wealthy city - it was a commercial and financial center. A banking center. It would be like the bay area tech hub of America ( which is moving out to Salt Lake City and cities in Texas)
It was on two major trade routes
It was a church which incorporated a hot spring and had large aqueducts because it needed to be piped in
It had a famous school of medicine there - they created salve for the eyes for those suffering with eye weakness or disease.
It was a city that had amazing black wool.
They were a proud, defiant, conceited group
The Good
Doesn’t say anything about how good they are. But Jesus does say that he loves them . He reproves them because He loves them.
It is a reminder that you could be feeling like you have taken 2 steps forward and 3 backward but Jesus still loves you.
The Bad
They think they are doing well but they were not
They were Lukewarm ( not hot or warm) one theologian said it means unresponsive. another theologian said it is a listless, tepid, indifferent, passionless spirituality.
Warm water that was useless for medicinal purposes or refreshing.
Hot water was used for medicinal purposes
Cold water is used for refreshing
In other words you might have money but you are useless to the kingdom
The problem was with there attitude. - I don’t need God - that really does come straight against everything the gospel offers.
You wretched, weak pitiful, blind and naked people.
In our present state we are hopeless, helpless, spiritually dark in ourselves. We cannot buy our way out of it.
In one of our Alpha Classes Bono - said he reached the ultimate of success in the world but was one of the loneliest people on the planet. Wealth and fame does not buy internal happiness with God. He is just one to name a few rich , powerful, famous people who would tells us the same thing.
The Solution
Get your wealth from Jesus
Get your strength from the Holy Spirit
Get salve that is made in heaven - that will give you true sight
Buy from him a white robe rather than be naked in black wool.
Again he said - Be zealous and repent.
Jesus stands at the door of the church - He is on the outside looking in - He was not invited in .
We can take it personally - Have we invited Christ in.
We can take it corporately - Is Jesus present with us or do we leave him outside becasue we got everything going well without Him
The Conclusion
It is not size or strength it is all about faith and faithfulness.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Christ and the Churches, Part 2 (Revelation 3)
Unbelief sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunities!
In your life examine yourself.
What is the world providing that might have you deceived in your faith.
Last week we had communion and we used the scripture examine yourself.
Self examination by way of scripture really humbles you.
Jesus is standing at the door of your life and says hey invite me in. I can help you.