Revelation 3:7 – 13

May 6, 2020

 

Wednesday. Reading the missionary prayer request yesterday, we are praying for people who have to choose between the “virus lottery and certain starvation.” I wonder if some churches feel this way. Sardis did not fall to outside persecution, pressure to conform and get rich, or internal evil. It was just dead. Philadelphia on the other hand was very much alive spiritually but very week in power despite persecution and slander.

 

6.            Philadelphia [3:7 – 13]

• Overview: modern Alasehir, poor city, devastated in 17 A.D. by an earthquake, most citizens lived in the ruins.
• REVELATION: “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” [Revelation 3:7b NIV]
• Strengths: Jesus has provided an open door that nobody can shut, little strength but kept “my word” and “not denied my name,” endured patiently.
• Weakness: NONE!
• Encouragement: hold on to what you have.
• Promise: “The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.” [Revelation 3:12]

Philadelphia, by definition is a “small church” in number, influence, and success. Jesus described them, “I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” [Revelation 3:8]

 

Notice Jesus judges this church on His personal knowledge, not on appearances. Kind of annoying how Jesus does that, completely ignoring human wisdom and standards. Jesus knows their “works.” The word translated here has the weight of knowing their accomplishments. 

The expression “an open door” has historically has meant: 1.) entrance into the joy of the Lord/heaven, 2.) initiation into the meaning of Scripture, 3.) opportunity for mission/evangelism work. 4.) a way out of persecution.

 

The idea of “little strength” may reflect little influence or pull on culture. It may indicate they were from the lower social and economic class. The weight of the Greek here indicates they had little energy. In other words, they did not have the ability to exert or put effort into their work. I cannot imagine many being attracted to a church that is powerless, small, and lacks the ability and energy to reach out to the world. Yet this is one of Jesus’ favorite churches. What they did accomplish was done for Jesus, through Jesus, and by Jesus... not their own strength.

 

Remember, Jesus' judgement is the only one that matters. Considering how extensive the promise; I would suggest this is Jesus’ favorite of the seven churches. I know this cuts against the fabric of current church culture, but your agreement is with Jesus, not me. I suspect Jesus would have been fired in John 6:66. ("At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him." NLT)  Try explaining how a congregation went from 5,000 to twelve after one sermon. Wonder how many Pastor’s have preached a sermon where the invitation was to LEAVE the church?

 

In wisdom, wealth, and influence the danger is pride. Gideon learned that lesson, then promptly forgot it, and the nation suffered. Over and over, God’s people need to learn, re-learn, and repent of forgetting, “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.” [Zechariah 4:6b] In fact, the “do it yourself” attitude is the ugly contrast (and consequence) we will see in the next church.

 

It has been suggest this church represents 1700 – 1900.  “The Great Awakenings,” John and Charles Wesley, John Newton, Count Zinzendorf, William Carey, the missionary movement.

The fine print: Optimistically looking forward, the isolation will slowly be relaxed and we will be able to meet as a congregation, hopefully soon. If you are reading this and are in need of a church family, please join us at Faith Alliance Church of Fuoss Mills. (Just search "Fuoss Mills" and you will find us.)