1 l t s may 16, 2009. review – five letters ephesus – orthodox but unloving smyrna –...

1

LTS

Chapter 3:7-13Session 2

May 16, 2009

The Letter to the Church of Philidelphia

The Letter to the Church of Philidelphia

Review – Five Letters• Ephesus – Orthodox but Unloving• Smyrna – Persecuted but Under God’s Will• Pergamos – Tolerating False Doctrine• Thyatira – Tolerating Immorality• Sardis – Impressive Past, No Effective

Future• Philadelphia – ?

2

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;

These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars;

I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Revelation 3:1

Title of the Christ:

Concern:

Review - Letter to Sardis

o;noma onoma = label; being covered by a name3

Sardis: Dismal History• 549 BC Fell to the Persians• 501 BC Burned by the Ionians• 334 BC Surrendered to Alexander

the Great• 322 BC Taken by Antigonus • 214 BC Fell to the Seleucids• Invincible in name only; taken as by “a thief

in the night”4

Sardis: A City of Failures• Name became synonymous with

– Pretensions unjustified– Promise without performance– Appearance without reality– False confidence that heralded ruin– Betrayed by lack of watchfulness and diligence

Cf. W. M. Ramsay, Letters to Seven Churches

5

The Denominational Church• “Soft” hermeneutical traditions• Denial of the Millennial Reign• Denial of Israel’s prophetic destiny• Absence of Biblical devotional life• De-emphasis of the Gospel of Christ• Ordination of homosexuals

6

Name

Title

Commendation

Concerns

Exhortation

Promise to the Overcomer

Ephe

sus

Smyr

na

Perg

amos

Thya

tira

Sard

is

Phila

delp

hia

Laod

icea

“He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”


Design Tally:

XX

7

Not

foun

d he

re

Group BPromises are in thebody of the Letter

Group APromises Post-Scripted

Prophetic Profile?

EphesusThe Apostolic Church

The Persecuted Church

The Married Church

The Medieval Church

Smyrna

Pergamos

Thyatira

Sardis

Philadelphia

Laodicea

8

Each letter has anexplicit reference tothe second coming

of Messiah

8

The Denominational Church

9

Revelation 3:7-13Revelation 3:7-13

The Letter to the

Church at Philadelphia

The Letter to the

Church at Philadelphia

Levels of Application

1. Local

2. Admonitory (to all churches)

3. Personal (Homiletics)

4. Prophetic

10

Philadelphia11

Philadelphia12

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; Revelation 3:7

Letter to Philadelphia

13

City of Brotherly Love? Close…

Phila ==“Friendly, favorable towards”

Friendly City

Ephesus

Pergamos

Istanbul

Athens

Smyrna

Thyatira

14Patmos

SardisPhiladelphia

Philadelphia• The youngest of the cities• Built in the area acquired by Pergamos in

189 BC• King Eumenes II, King of Pergamos, had a

younger brother, Attalus II– Was his successor– Won the nickname Philadelphus for his loyalty

and affection for Eumenes

15

Geographic Advantage• The area was well favored for wine

production – Dionysius, the god of wine, was the principal

deity• Well situated on the imperial post road

from Rome and Troas to Pergamos, Sardis and to the interior of Phrygia – It was a virtual gateway to the high central

plateau of Asia Minor16

Name Changes• Katakekaumene (“the Burned Land”): a

highly volcanic region, suffered repeatedly from earthquakes– Almost completely destroyed in the disaster of

17 AD, which devastated Sardis and ten other cities Tacitus, Annals 2:47

– Tremors were reported for years afterwards– Civic and economic disruption lasted for more

than 20 years17

Name Changes• Generous financial relief from Tiberius

caused the citizens to rename the city Neo-Caesarea (“New City of Caesar”)– Later, in the time of Vespasian, it was changed

to Flavia, his family name – The name changes were short-lived and the old

name Philadelphia soon revived• Today: Allah-Shehu, “City of God”

18

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;

Revelation 3:7


Title of Christ:

19



Revelation 3:7


Title of Christ:

20

…he that is holy,…

This title is applied to efei in the book of Isaiah several times:

Isaiah 6:3; 40:25; 43:15

“…Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:”

“Holy”

• “Holy” – hagios, separated unto God Revelation 6:10; Leviticus 11:44; 21:8;

Isaiah 57:15 – Song of the Seraphim Isaiah 6:3

• at His birth Luke 1:35

• at His death Acts 2:27

• in His present priestly office Hebrews 7:25

21



Revelation 3:7


Title of Christ:

22

“True”• Alethinos, real, genuine;

alethes, truth in contrast to falsehood John 17:3; 1st John 5:20

• Prophecy of Zecharias Luke 1:75 • His kingship rests upon the foundation of

His character Psalm 2; 24, etc.

• He can be trusted!

23



Revelation 3:7


Title of Christ:

24

And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:

And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.

Isaiah 22:20,21

“Key of David”

25

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.

And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house.

Isaiah 22:22,23

“Key of David”

26





Isaiah 22:22,23

“Key of David”

27

This is an Old Testament

idiom for the Messiah

And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father's house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons.

In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

28

Isaiah 22:24,25

“Key of David”• Eliakim (when Shebna, Hezekiah’s treasurer was

deposed and superseded) Isaiah 22:19-24

• Full administrative authority: Eliakim carried a heavy key on a loop slung over his shoulder, indicating his power to grant or deny others an audience with the king. He alone provided access to the presence of the king.

• Messianic term: Isaiah 9:6,7; Luke 1:32-33:

Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:18

29

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 16:15-17

“Keys of Kingdom”

30

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:18-19

pe,tra petra a rock; a large stone

Pe,troj Petros Peter, a stone

31

Not Just to Peter• “Keys to the Kingdom”?

– to Peter Matthew 16:19 – to all Apostles Matthew 18:18

– Door opened to Gentiles Acts 10

• Clarified in his 1st Epistle 1st Peter 2:4-9

32

To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

1st Peter 2:4-6

The Foundation Stone?

33

Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

1st Peter 2:7,8

The Foundation Stone?

34

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1st Peter 2:9

A Royal Priesthood?

35

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Matthew 18:19,2036

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.

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.

Revelation 3:8,9

Commendation:

37

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.

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.

Revelation 3:8,9

Commendation:1

23 4

5

638

Commendations1. I know thy works: behold, 2. I have set before thee an open door, and no man can

shut it: 3. for thou hast a little strength, 4. and hast kept my word, 5. and hast not denied my name.6. behold, I will make them to come and worship before

thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee”7. “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.”

39

Commendations2. I have set before thee an open door, and

no man can shut it:

“Open doors”: 1st Corinthians 16:9;2nd Corinthians 2:12;Colossians 4:3

Door(s) of deliverance: “I Am the Door,” John 10:7, 9 Noah’s Ark: closed by God Genesis 7:16

(7 days before the flood) The door at the wedding Matthew 25:1-1040

Commendations3. for thou hast a little strength, 4. and hast kept my word,

(in a day of denial)

5. and hast not denied my nameIn a day when the deity of Christ is blatantly denied by seminary and pulpitBe careful of a Greek mindset

41

Commendations

42

6. “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”

– Legalists? Cf. Revelation 2:9False Jews = Reconstructionists?

– Will be compelled to worship Philippians 2:10,11– Day of Vengeance: Isaiah 61:2 (vs. Luke 4:18-20)

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

43

Zechariah 8:20-23

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

44

Zechariah 8:23

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

45Isaiah 43:1-2

For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

Fear not: for I am with thee…

46

Isaiah 43:3-5

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.

Revelation 3:10

Commendation(continued):

47

7

King David• The anointed King of Israel, for a time

exiled from his kingdom and took refuge in a cave in Adullam

1 Sam 22:1; 2 Sam 23:13; 1 Chr 11:15 • Refused by his people, gathered three

classes of people around him: – men in debt, danger, and discontented– He transformed them into the mighty men

• Ultimately left Adullam for his crowning48

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.

Revelation 3:10

Commendation(continued):

tes horas: the hour, time, season

ton peirasmon: the trial, temptation, testing, adversity, tribulation, etc.

49

theepi teo oikoumenes holes: In the Greek it is very clear: upon all mankind; geographically comprehensive

“Earth Dwellers”• “earth dwellers”: distinctive group – the

adversaries!• “Dwell” = katoideo = identified with

Phil 3:20; Heb 11:13

• epi teo oikoumenes holes: In the Greek it is very clear: upon all mankind; geographically comprehensive

50

Removal or Immunity?• “From”: Greek ek = “out of,” removal• Definite articles in Greek

– The hour– The temptation

• Upon all the world Rev 6 – 19

• Purpose: “to try them that dwell on earth” (All Gentile believers are killed)

Rev 7:9-17; 11:7; 13:7, 15; 17:8; 20:4

Specificity

51

Behold, I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.Revelation 3:11

Concerns:

Exhortation:

52

“Let no man rob you”• Esau lost his place to Jacob Genesis 25:34; 27:36

• Reuben lost his place to Judah Genesis 49:4, 8

• For his action at Meribah, Moses was superseded by Joshua Numbers 20:12; Deuteronomy 3:26-28

• Saul lost his place to David 1 Samuel 16:1,13

• Shebna lost his place to Eliakim Isaiah 22:15-25 • Joab and Abiathar lost their places

to Benaiah and Zadok 1 Kings 2:25 • Elijah was superseded by Elisha 1 Kings 19:13-16

53

Holding Fast• During the 14th century The city of Philadelphia

stood alone against the entire Turkish empire as a free, self-governing Christian city in the midst of a Turkish land – Twice besieged by great Turkish armies, its people

reduced to the verge of starvation, they had learned to defend themselves, and resisted to the end

• 1379-1390, it finally succumbed to a combined Turkish and Byzantine army – Until then, Philadelphia had held fast

54

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.

Revelation 3:12

Promise to the Overcomer:

New Name: Rev 14:1; 19:12-13, 16; 22:4 55

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.

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

Revelation 3:12,13

56

Name

Title

Commendation

Concerns

Exhortation


Ephe

sus

Smyr

na

Perg

amos

Thya

tira

Sard

is

Phila

delp

hia

Laod

icea

“He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”


Design Tally:

XX

X

57


1. Local2. Admonitory (to all churches)3. Personal (Homiletics)4. Prophetic

5858

Application to All Churches• Ephesus• Smyrna• Pergamos• Thyatira• Sardis• Philadelphia• Laodicea

• Devotion, not just doctrine• Endure Persecution• Stand fast against world• Pagan Practices• Watchfulness, Diligence• Missionary outreach

59

But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

1 Corinthians 16:8-9

Open Doors?

60



61

Personal Application• Ephesus• Smyrna• Pergamos• Thyatira• Sardis• Philadelphia• Laodicea

• Neglected Priorities• Satanic Opposition• Spiritual Compromise• Pagan Practices• Watchfulness, Diligence• Loyal Ambassadorship

62

Personal Application• Don’t underestimate the power of one

single church• Don’t underestimate the power on one

testimony…

63

Yours!

Overcomer’s Promises• Ephesus Eat of Tree of Life • Smyrna Not hurt of 2nd death• Pergamos Hidden manna,

white stone, new name• Thyatira Power of nations• Sardis White rainment;

name not blotted out• Philadelphia Pillar in temple, name of God

name of His city, new name• Laodicea

64

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1 John 5:4,5

Who is “the Overcomer”?

65

66



Prophetic Profile?

Ephesus

Smyrna

Pergamos

Thyatira

Sardis

Philadelphia

Laodicea

Apostolic Church?

Persecuted Church?

Married Church?

67

Medieval Church?

Denominational Church?

Missionary Church?

Not

foun

d he

re

Group BPromises are in thebody of the Letter

Group APromises Post-Scripted

Prophetic Profile?

EphesusThe Apostolic Church

The Persecuted Church

The Married Church

The Medieval Church

Smyrna

Pergamos

Thyatira

Sardis

Philadelphia

Laodicea

68

Each letter has anexplicit reference tothe second coming

of Messiah

The Denominational Church

The Missionary Church

Gre

at T

ribul

ation

Next Session• Read Chapters 2 & 3• Outline the Letter to Laodicea

– Revelation 3:14-22– What are the distinctives of this letter?– What remedies were necessary?

• Read Matthew 13– Why did Jesus speak in parables?– What secrets were revealed?

• What personal lessons were gained? 69

1 l t s may 16, 2009. review – five letters ephesus – orthodox but unloving smyrna –...

Documents