The Church of Philadelphia

While visiting Mali Africa a local pastor told me a story about a massive Radio Tower in his small little town of Kati just outside Bamako, the capital of Mali Africa.

The communist were building this massive radio tower taking up almost twenty-five acres

They purpose was to spread the ideals and messages of communism across Africa

There was a small group of Christians praying for the work to be hindered or stopped. This small group of believers had been lead to the Lord by a young couple from Kansas.

The more they prayer the more efficiently the work on the tower was done.

It seemed their prayers were futile against such a powerful force

WEAK & HELPLESS… SMALL in number all they could do is keep praying…

Weakness… The Feeling of Inability to do something about a situation… The mountain is too tall, the Valley too deep, too wide.

Any here feeling weak?

The church Jesus sends a message to in our passage today felt weak, they felt they had “little power” …

too few resources,

lacking abilities,

few people,

feeling small and insignificant…

This church needed great encouragement… and so our Savior writes a short “love note” Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7–13 NASB95

“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.’

As we read this message, I want you to remember what this book of Apocalypses is… Revelation 1:1 we are discovering and REVEALING & MAKING FULLY KNOWN Jesus Christ … and in this “love note” He makes Himself known in a pwoerful way to this weak church in Philadelphia…

Philadelphia

“Brotherly Love” We cannot read into the name of the city and apply that to the church.

However, we do see that this church in this city may have had a heart for the lost and God was going to honor that (Desire what God desires!!!)

Known well for the powerful earthquakes crumbling the city and its buildings and its pillars

This city was known as “Little Athens” … Gateway to the east! Many gods were worshiped here

There were many here who are religious, but few who have relationship with Jesus Christ

May have even been the case for the Jews in this area… religious yet having no relationship with the God who called them His people (how sad)

To this church in a city full of puny gods Jesus introduces Himself...

Jesus Is...

HOLY | TRUE | AUTHORITY | IN CONTROL

What a precious thing that we have God giving us His Word to remind us of His Character! What a comfort… REMEMBERING!

Holiness:

Defined: “one perfect in goodness and righteousness”

Only God is Holy

Here once again we see a clear statement to the fact that Jesus is stating He is Deity. (NOT a deity, But rather Deity!)

Mankind’s holiness is only that which is imputed, coming as a result of the work of Jesus Christ

True:

Jesus is genuine, he is the original, He is the real deal in a place full of counterfeits… puny gods

He is authentic and creator in a place full of false and manufactured gods

In a place where lies of Satan run rampant, Jesus stands as the One True God!

A place where things “LOOK” true He “IS” true. WOW what a contrast and what a hope for this church who feels little power.

Consider this: Revelation 6:10 the martyrs here refer to Christ as “Holy and True”…

because He is Holy He has to judge sin, because He is True, He has to vindicate His people slain!

Revelation 6:10 NASB95

and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

Jesus also depicts His Authority and Control…

Authority:

In His Holiness He not only has the Authority to Judge, but also to rule!

The Keys of David… the Kingship belongs to Him!

Keys lock and unlock… given to those who have authority

Control:

With His authority comes control… He opens, He closes

Not chance, man, not happenstance… His choice, time, and control

Consider what He says about this open door… that no one can shut!

I Know Your Deeds

Regardless of how insignificant you feel or think you are… God is aware of what is going on!!!

To this church with “little power” Christ says twice vs 8 & 9

BEHOLD! Look watch pay close attention notice this… WATCH GOD WORK!!!

“I have put”

“I will cause”

“I will make”

“I will keep you”

“I am coming”

“I will make” (again!)

“I will write”

Did you notice what God told them “He would do”…

An Open Door to the Church

Jesus was going to work!!! I love watching Him work… Remember He is the One building His church

In the new testament the Phrase “Open Door” consistently refers to ministry opportunity

Jesus Christ is… “Lord of the Harvest” the “Head of the Church”, He determines where and how people will serve

WOW!!! What a blessing when God uses someone or someones who are “little in power” to show His greatness

It draws my mind to a C.S. Lewis book in the Chronicle of Narnia series… Prince Caspian and the army approaches the little girl Lucy… watch this moment (play video clip)

Little David vs Giant Goliath… God is powerful

The small group of believers in Mali praying… well:

The day before the tower would go live and send the message of communism across Africa, communism fell and was driven out of the area leaving an empty radio tower with no one who knew how to run such a thing… EXCEPT

A young couple from Kansas who knew just how to do such things from helping at a radio station back home.

Due to the tower being accomplished early the whole project was funded by the communist and the first and continuing broadcast on that radio tower transmitting across Africa was the Gospel message of the saving work of Jesus Christ

Allow God to work

Be ready to declare Christ

Verse 8… “not denied name” keeping His Word…

the truth going forth in the midst of lies

This church had a great potential for the work of God! WHY?… because of the One they placed their Faith in (NOT… resources, wealth, size, etc.)

Jesus would work in spite of their obstacles:

Obstacles we face of size or power… God is GREATER

Obstacle of Jews in the city: synagogue of Satan… God’s chosen people were now the tool of Satan!

Those spreading lies about you… God is BIGGER

Jews have a great heritage but heritage is not a guarantee for salvation… (Christian home/ Nation / Lineage)

God’s Promises

To a church that needs encouragement… (first I will use you!) then…!!!

The Religious will know… His love for them! “they will bow down at your feet”

When? How? We don’t know if this would transpire in the near future for the readers of John’s day or if it is referring to end time events.

Was God going to humble the Jews in Philadelphia and open the door to bring the gospel to them?

There is no record of this but none the less it could have occured. We do know that in the end God will show Himself to be TRUE!

There is a certainty given here for the overcomer / victor!

God’s promise regardless of the time of fulfillment His promise would bring comfort and hope to the believer as it would with His NEXT PROMISE....

Kept From Hour of Testing

verse 10 NOTE: Jesus does not promise to spare believers from suffering or martyrdom but to shield them from His Wrath

As we approach this passage we need to consider what is being said here:

There is an “hour” coming where the Whole World will be tested (This is global)

God will judge evil and sin on a global level (Revelation unveils Christ in His role as judge after the messages to the churches)

So Why Tell Philadelphia?

You will be kept from this… Pre-Tribulation Rapture

Comfort and encouragement… was for them then and for us know, and for all in between!

In light of persecution that may go on in the mean time God promises to come quickly...

Quickly? 2000 years later… 2 Peter 3:7-9

2 Peter 3:7–9 NASB95

But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.

Church… He is coming quickly… He has opened a door of opportunity to share the gospel… but time is short!

Christ’s Rewards to the Faithful!

Victors Crown (reward)… this can be taken by choosing:

not to persevere

not to hold onto His Word

They will be a pillar that cannot be shaken in the New Jerusalem (That would not crumble)

Assurance, new name, you are mine!!! (bride taking the name of her Groom!)

Consider in Closing what we learn about Jesus Christ

The church today is like the church in Philadelphia , Jesus Christ presents to us many open doors of ministry opportunity. If He opens the doors, we must work; if He shuts the doors, we must wait. May we be faithful to Him and see the opportunities, not the obstacles.

Let’s be a church that ask God to use us beyond our comprehension for His Glory!!!!

Are you feeling weak or discouraged?

Consider the greatness of your God, look for what He is doing and advance with Him!

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