Theme: Letters to the Churches: What is the Lord saying to us?
Topic: The Church in Philadelphia: The Reward for Perseverance.
Main Texts: Rev 3:7-13.
Key verse: Rev 3:10 “Because you have kept my command to persevere, I will also keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (NKJV)
Introduction:
Philadelphia was founded by Attalus the Secon, king of Pergamos as a missionary outpost for Hellenism, to spread the language and culture of Ancient Greece through the Asian provinces of Lydia and Phrygia. It was known as the “city of brotherly love” because of its founder’s unusual devotion to his brother. The city was a wealthy, commercial stop on a major trade route. Known as “little Athens” for its abundance of beautiful buildings, it was subject to frequent earthquakes (which is why the promise of being a pillar would have been particularly encouraging to the church). Philadelphia exists today as Ataşehir in western Turkey and still has a small population of Christians. The letter to the church in Philadelphia is one of only two of the seven letters that contains no rebuke or criticism. The contrast with the letter to Sardis, which precedes it, is striking. Sardis had a reputation for being an alive, powerful, and influential church, yet received strong rebuke. Philadelphia was small and weak by comparison, yet it received strong encouragement and affirmation from the Lord, who introduces himself in the letter as “he who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David…” emphasizing his deity, fidelity, and authority to a church being severely persecuted by idolators and religious pseudo-Jews (Rev 2:9 and Rev 3:9) who were fiercely antagonistic to the Gospel. To a city that believed, as many do today, that there were many ways to reach God and enjoy life, Jesus emphatically states that He is the only way. He is the one who opens and shuts the door to heaven, and He is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. This must have greatly encouraged the church that had remained faithful to the truth under tremendous pressure.
Q1. Read Isaiah 22:20-24; Rev 1:18 Jn 14:6 (1a) Discuss the significance of holding the key of David
(1b) Read 1 Cor 16:9 and Col 4:3 What do you understand by “open door” (Rev 3:8)? What tends to come with an open door? (1c) What are the “open doors” in your life at present? How do you intend to make the most of them?
Paragraph 2:
Many Christians desire to “do great things for God”. This is highly commendable, but it can have the unintended consequence of equating doing great things with having great resources, which can delay, or even prevent, us from stepping through open doors. The Bible teachesthe importance of being faithful in small things (Luke 16:10). The church in Philadelphia seemed to have understood the principle very well. They had “a little strength” (Rev 3:8) yet received great commendation for the way they used it. They faced down great opposition, not because of their strength but despite it. We are called to “be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might|” (Eph 6:10) and allow His strength to be perfected in our weakness because His grace is sufficient. The church in Philadelphia shows us that what matters is not so much doing great things FOR God as in allowing Him to do great things THROUGH us and giving all the glory to Him. It is not our strength that matters; it is our faith in His strength.
Q2. (2a) What is the church in Philadelphia commended for (Rev 3:8-10a)? (2b) Read John 15:5, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 12:7-9. How can weakness and dependency be a good thing? (2c) Read Ephesians 6:13,
1 John 2:14, and Revelation 3:12. When are we to be strong rather than weak?
Paragraph 3:
To live as a Christian means to keep the Word of Christ and not deny His name. Doing so pits us against the world with its philosophies, principles, and systems. The opposition may appear more benign in some places and at some times, but it is always there. There is always an element of intimidation, and, in many places, it remains intense, oppressive, violent, and intent on destroying the witness of Christians. We have the assurance that Christ has all authority, holding the keys of death and hell and always knowing the situation of every church and every believer. We must hold fast and keep pressing through the doors that He is opening. He will vindicate all His servants in due time, as He promised to the church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:9). The church was commended for its faithfulness and perseverance, yet exhorted to “hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown”. Even when we are doing well, there is no room for complacency! ” Having done all, … stand” (Eph 6:13). As with all the letters, the most tremendous promise is to “he who overcomes”. May the Lord open our ears to hear.
Q3. (3a) Discuss the meaning of Christ’s statement in Rev 3:10. (3b) Read Matt 24:42-44, Acts 20:24, Heb 12:1-2. Why is it important that Christians remain vigilant so that no one may take their crown? (3c) How will you guard against complacency?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of the church in Philadelphia. Please help me to follow that example to use what little strength I may have to keep your Word, persevere, and press through the open doors you have placed in my life, knowing that your grace is sufficient to accomplish whatever you have called me to. Amen.