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Chapter 3:7-13 Session 2

T. L. S. The Letter to the Church of Philidelphia. The Church of the Open Door. Chapter 3:7-13 Session 2. May 16, 2009. Review – Five Letters. Ephesus – Orthodox but Unloving Smyrna – Persecuted but Under God’s Will Pergamos – Tolerating False Doctrine

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Chapter 3:7-13 Session 2

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  1. T L S The Letter to the Church of Philidelphia The Church of the Open Door Chapter 3:7-13 Session 2 May 16, 2009

  2. 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 – ?

  3. Review - Letter to Sardis 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. Title of the Christ: Concern: Revelation 3:1 o;nomaonoma = label; being covered by a name

  4. 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”

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. Design Tally: Philadelphia Pergamos Laodicea Ephesus Thyatira Smyrna Sardis Name Title Commendation Concerns Exhortation Promise to the Overcomer X X Promise to the Overcomer “He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the Churches”

  8. Prophetic Profile? Smyrna Pergamos Group A Promises Post-Scripted Thyatira Not found here Each letter has anexplicit reference tothe second comingof Messiah Group B Sardis Promises are in the body of the Letter Philadelphia Laodicea The Apostolic Church Ephesus The Persecuted Church The Married Church The Medieval Church The Denominational Church 8

  9. The Letter to theChurch at Philadelphia Revelation 3:7-13

  10. Levels of Application • Local • Admonitory (to all churches) • Personal (Homiletics) • Prophetic

  11. Philadelphia

  12. Philadelphia 12

  13. Letter to Philadelphia And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; Revelation 3:7 City of Brotherly Love? Close… Phila ==“Friendly, favorable towards” Friendly City

  14. Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Istanbul Pergamos Smyrna Athens Ephesus Patmos

  15. 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

  16. 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 Minor

  17. 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 years

  18. 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”

  19. Letter to Philadelphia 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; Title of Christ: Revelation 3:7

  20. Letter to Philadelphia 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; …he that is holy,… This title is applied to efei in the book of Isaiah several times: Isaiah 6:3; 40:25; 43:15 Title of Christ: Revelation 3:7 “…Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts:”

  21. “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

  22. Letter to Philadelphia 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; Title of Christ: Revelation 3:7

  23. “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!

  24. Letter to Philadelphia 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; Title of Christ: Revelation 3:7

  25. “Key of David” 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

  26. “Key of David” 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

  27. 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. “Key of David” This is an Old Testament idiom for the Messiah 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 27

  28. 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. Isaiah 22:24,25

  29. “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

  30. “Keys of Kingdom” 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

  31. 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,trojPetros Peter, a stone pe,trapetra a rock; a large stone

  32. 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

  33. The Foundation Stone? 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

  34. The Foundation Stone? 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

  35. A Royal Priesthood? 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

  36. 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 18:19,20

  37. Commendation: 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

  38. Commendation: 1 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. 2 4 3 5 6 Revelation 3:8,9

  39. Commendations • 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 to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee” • “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.”

  40. Commendations • 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 25:1-10

  41. Commendations • for thou hast a little strength, • and hast kept my word, (in a day of denial) • and hast not denied my name In a day when the deity of Christ is blatantly denied by seminary and pulpit Be careful of a Greek mindset

  42. Commendations • “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

  43. 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. Zechariah 8:20-23

  44. 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. Zechariah 8:23

  45. 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. Isaiah 43:1-2

  46. 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… Isaiah 43:3-5

  47. 7 Commendation(continued): 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

  48. 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 crowning

  49. Commendation(continued): 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 the tes horas: thehour, time, season ton peirasmon: the trial, temptation, testing, adversity, tribulation, etc. epi teo oikoumenes holes: In the Greek it is very clear: upon all mankind; geographically comprehensive

  50. “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

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