Chapter # 3 Paragraph # 2 Study # 2
October 15, 2023
Broadlands, Louisiana
(Download Audio)
Thesis: The message to Philadelphia is one of encouragement to pursue the course.
Introduction: In our last study we considered Jesus' self-description for the leader of the church in Philadelphia. That self-description focused upon the "holiness" (balanced attributes), and truthfulness and possession of the key of David as a declaration of His future rule on that throne. These characteristics were all designed to encourage the man being addressed.
This evening we are going to go further into this letter and focus upon Jesus' message to this man, this church, and the rest of the churches.
- I. The Letter To The Angel Of The Church In Philadelphia.
- A. Jesus' Self-description.
- B. Jesus' Message.
- 1. I know your works.
- a. These "works" are, according to 2:23, the basis for "recompense" (whether benefit or loss) and underlie both the "key of David" implication (ruling with Christ on the throne of David) and the "Hold fast what you have that no one should take your crown" (3:11) implication of "crown" as the symbol of "rule" -- as 2:26-27 declares).
- b. This "I know your works" declaration is found in 2:2 (Ephesus), 2:9 (Smyrna), 2:13 (Pergamos), 2:19 (Thyatira), 3:1 (Sardis), 3:8 (Philadelphia), and 3:15 (Laodicea).
- 2. Behold, I have given before you a door, having been opened, which no one is able to shut.
- a. The "opened door" is either an opportunity to "do more works", or it is the "door" in 4:1 that is standing open before John. These are the only references to a "door" in the Book of The Revelation.
- b. Which is it?
- 1) The following context indicates that it is probably the first option ("a ministry opportunity" because the promise of 3:10 follows the "Behold...a door" and it has to do with a future time of great testing upon the earth).
- 2) Plus, the issue of the "opened door" is tied to the angel's possession of "a little power", which is very much a "this world" issue.
- 3) Additionally, the statement that no one "has the power" to shut it seems to indicate the presence of opposition -- a characteristic that does not suit the idea of 4:1.
- 3. Because you have a little power (dunamis) and you have kept My word and you have not denied My name.
- a. This "because" indicates the reason that the door is present, and opened.
- b. This "because" is stated as "you have a little power" (same word as used in the first part of 3:8 -- no one has the power (dunamai)...you have a little power (dunamis)).
- 1) This "little power" has been used in this man's past: "you kept My word" and "you did not deny My name" (two realities that, apparently, do not require "a lot of power").
- a) In 3:3, the fake believer is commanded to "hold fast" (keep) what he had received and heard because his grip has slipped so that he never progressed to the point of "Life".
- b) In 2:13, the angel of Pergamos "did not deny My faith" even in the face of martyrdom. That may have required a bit more than "a little power", but the issue is the same: no turning away under pressure.
- c) The repeated references in these letters to some of the same problems seem to indicate the greater "pressure points".
- 2) That this "little power" is described in this way, the "no one can shut it" declaration is likely the reason: this man could not, himself, keep the door open.
- 4. Behold, I give of the synagogue of the Satan (adversary) who say themselves to be Jews, and they are not, BUT they are lying.
- a. The question is the meaning of "I give out of the synagogue of the Satan": does this mean some of them will come to faith in the Truth?
- b. There is that likelihood, given the next "Behold" statement.
- 5. Behold, I shall make them that they come and bow down before your feet and they should come to know that I have loved you.
- a. This "knowing" (ginosko) is the last of five texts that contain this word in the Book of The Revelation. This kind of "knowing" is typically, significantly, experiential, not "reason based".
- b. That the "knowing" has to do with the truth about whom Jesus loves might be an oblique statement that they have come to faith and are showing it with significant humility after a time of strong opposition and a following time of significant humiliation (perhaps a "Paul" reality of first "Saul" and afterwards "Paul" and the thief on the cross).
- 6. Because you kept the word of My endurance, I also shall keep you out of the hour of the testing which is about to come upon the entire inhabited earth to test those who are dwelling upon the earth.
- a. Since this is the context of this "Revelation", this is a promise of a pre-tribulation deliverance.
- b. This is a definitive promise denied by those who posit the Rapture as being later in the timing of events.
- 7. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have that no one should take your crown.
- 8. The one who overcomes I shall make a pillar in the temple of My God and he shall NOT go out at all.
- 9. I shall write upon him the name of My God and the name of the City of My God, the New Jerusalem which is coming out of heaven from My God and My New Name.
- II. The Application To All Of The Churches.
