The Seven Churches of Asia

1. The Seven Churches of Asia Philadelphia: “The Church with an Open Door”

3. Philadelphia Albert Barnes notes, “The country, as viewed from these hills, is extremely magnificent—gardens and vineyards lying at the back and sides of the town, and before it one of the most beautiful and extensive plains of Asia.” Barnes, Albert, Barnes on the New Testament, “Revelation” Vol. 11, p. 92.

4. Philadelphia (www.holylandphotos.org) • Ruins of an old church building ~600 A.D. • 28 miles southeast of Sardis

5. The Text “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.’" Revelation 3:7

6. The Text “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name." Revelation 3:8

7. The Text “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you." Revelation 3:9

8. The Text “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." Revelation 3:10

9. The Text “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." Revelation 3:11

10. The Text “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:12, 13

11. Brotherly Love • A walled city 28 miles southwest of Sardis. • Famous for wines—the city’s coins displayed an image of the “god of wine.” • Near the greatest highway in the world—the highway from Europe to the Eastern gateway.

12. Brotherly Love • Youngest of the seven cities cited • Most favorable for commercial and strategic purposes • “Missionary city”—founded to spread Greek language and culture • Center of much heathen worship • Many temples to heathen gods—”Little Athens”

13. Fleeing Philadelphia • In A.D. 17, Philadelphia was leveled by an earthquake; the city was built on a fault line. "Philadelphia has no trustworthy walls, but daily in one direction or another they keep tottering and falling apart”(Strabo, c. 63 BC - c.21 AD) • Jesus probably alludes to the history of fleeing out of the city for safety (3:12)

14. Philadelphia (New Names) • The city had a history of name changes. • In gratitude for the aid given by Tiberius Caesar, the citizens changed the name of the city to “Neoceasarea” • It was then called, “Philadelphia Flavia” during the reign of Vespasian (69-79 A.D.)

15. Author’s Description • Holy—set apart • 1 Peter 2:21 • Hebrews 4:15 • Hebrews 7:26 • Majestic, glorious, and pure. • Acts 3:14 • Romans 1:4

16. He Who Is True • True prophesies—not a false prophet. • True speech—in all that He says. • Character above reproach. • John 8:14,15 • 1 John 5:20

17. The Key of David • Came from David—Matthew 1:1Isaiah 9:7 • Lineage of David—2Samuel 7:12-14 • A King like David—John 18:36,37 • Has all authority—Matthew 28:18Colossians 3:17

18. Opens and Shuts • Has authority to include and to exclude. • The Lord adds—Acts 2:47 • He also opens—John 8:24 • The door that no one can shut—John 14:6 • Has the keys to death and Hades—Revelation 1:18

19. Words of Commendation • “Thou hast a little strength.” • It’s not how much we have; it’s what we do with it. • Small in men’s sight—powerful in God’s. • Limited resources— not limited output! • Isaiah 40:29 “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”

20. Words of Commendation • “You have kept my word.” • Definite act in times past • No words of condemnation offered—faithful in their work! • Psalm 119:11 “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!”

21. Words of Commendation • “You have not denied My name.” • Not compromised—even though surrounded by idolatry • Faithful and not ashamed • Luke 9:26 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.”

22. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I have set before you an open door—no one can shut.” • Instead of spreading culture—the gospel. • 2 Peter 1:10,11 “For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

23. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I have set before you an open door—no one can shut.” • Be useful spiritually • Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

24. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I have set before you an open door—no one can shut.” • Obedience results in opportunities to do good. • Matthew 25:14-30 “…Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.”

25. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will make those of the synagogue of Satan—Jews, but lie…” • Truth exposes those who are in error • 1 John 4:1 “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

26. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will make those of the synagogue of Satan—Jews, but lie…” • Truth exposes those who are in error • Acts 17:11 “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

27. Rewards for Faithfulness • “To make them come and worship at your feet, to know I have loved you!” • Foes can be converted to Christ • Acts 9:31 “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”

28. Rewards for Faithfulness • “To make them come and worship at your feet, to know I have loved you!” • Could be referring to judgment of the enemies of the gospel—they will confess! • Philippians 2:10 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.”

29. Rewards for Faithfulness • “Protection during the hour of trial.” • Conditional based on their continued faithfulness • 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

30. Rewards for Faithfulness • “Come upon all the earth--to test them.” • Contrast to those written in Book of Life • 2 Timothy 3:12 “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

31. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will make a pillar in the temple of My God.” • Church is the Lord’s temple • 1 Corinthians 3:17 “If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

32. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will make a pillar in the temple of My God.” • Faithful are the pillars in the Lord’s church. • 2 Timothy 4:17 “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.”

33. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will make a pillar in the temple of My God.” • Pillars overcome! • 2 Timothy 4:8 “Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

34. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will write on him the name of my God and name of the city of God—New Jerusalem!” • Part of God’s family • 1 Timothy 3:15 “But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

35. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will write on him the name of my God and name of the city of God—New Jerusalem!” • Wear His name—belong to Him • Acts 11:26 “…So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”

36. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will write on him the name of my God and name of the city of God—New Jerusalem!” • City built by God • Hebrews 11:10 “For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”

37. Rewards for Faithfulness • “I will write on him the name of my God and name of the city of God—New Jerusalem!” • Ownership and approval • Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

38. Admonitions • “Hold Fast”—Galatians 6:9 • “I come quickly”—2 Peter 3:8-10 • “Hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” • Listen • Learn • Apply

39. Concluding Thoughts • A positive letter. • Keeping the words of the Lord and remaining steadfast. • Encouragement due to His coming. • Are you eagerly awaiting His coming?