Hold On - Philadelphia
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So What
So What
Sign, Sealed, delivered
Take a look back
John’s Vision from Jesus in the province of Asia now known as Turkey as he is held captive in the island of Patmos sending letters to the seven churches
No Facebook - Letters by mail carrier
1. Ephesus - Love God more, love others more
2. Smyrna - Don’t Fear, be Faithful
3. Pergamum - What’s your Idol (loyalty)
4. Thyatira- Compromising the gospel
5. Sardis - Wake Up O Sleeper
6. Today - Philadelphia - Hold On- Witness
Whats What
Whats What
I think that the majority would agree that you would like to know that at then end of the day your life touched the lives of others
You would like to know that your lifestyle was worthwhile and not in vain
The letter to the church of Philadelphia is different from the rest, it is a letter full of affirmation
7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: 8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. 10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. 13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Revelation 3:
As we look back at all the other letters to the other churches it is evident that Philadelphia along with Smyrna are the only two churches that are not faced with rebuke
Philadelphia was located about 60 miles from Smyrna and what is interesting is that these two churches are the ones that Christ is most pleased with and yet they are the ones facing the most persecution
They had little strength but proved successful in standing in God’s strength
While each of the other letters bring our focus back to Revelations 1 this letter brings us to
22 I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.
Jesus holds the keys to open and close doors - they have remained faithful through persecution and doors will be open for them
They understood who Christ was, they got the gospel message and they held to it with little strength they had. Vs 9 speaks about those who had been persecuting the church of Philadelphia
Vs 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love.
Jews should have recognized the Messiah and accepted these gentile Christians because of the gospel message, yet they missed the mark and so Christ will open the door to their heart to recognize the gospel message of salvation for whosoever
What is interesting about this passage is that it brings us back to the story in
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” 15 Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” 20 Then he sternly warned the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Matthew
Picture with me Jesus standing with his disciples by a large rock at CP. know as the seas of Satan - a place where all demons and cult Gods were worshiped, Peter declares that Jesus is the son of the living God the Messiah.
On the rock of this revelation that Jesus is the Messiah the church will be built and behind that revelation strong peter will give leadership.
Those who know this revelation that Christ is Lord and remain faithful to him, the keys of heaven are available to them.
Vs 10 God promises protection to those who have obeyed him
We see God protecting his people throughout all of Scripture and one place is
23 So Moses lifted his staff toward the sky, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed toward the earth. The Lord sent a tremendous hailstorm against all the land of Egypt. 24 Never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such devastating hail and continuous lightning. 25 It left all of Egypt in ruins. The hail struck down everything in the open field—people, animals, and plants alike. Even the trees were destroyed. 26 The only place without hail was the region of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived.
Vs 11 on Says I am coming soon, Hold on.
To a church who were suffering and feeling persecuted Christ return for the church is a sweet sound to their ears
Those who are victorious will be pillars - for a church that was weak in power, this was a powerful word because they would become strong as pillars- pillars help hold up a structure that is heavy
They will be tattooed with with the name of God on them and they will be citizens of heaven.
God from the beginning longs to be with his people and I can only imagine the celebration for those who obey him and love him
But without the cross there would be no crown
Without the suffering for his name there will be no celebration
Now What
Now What
What we have learned is that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness
God gives power to those who suffer for his name and he rejoices over the little strength they have
For those who love and obey him doors are open that need to be opened and doors that need to be closed are closed. He knows what is best and provides and gives opportunity for his children to share the good news of the gospel
If we hold on to him he has a place prepared for us with him in eternity
We are his - his name is on us
It is our mission to tell others so they can hold on with us and be a part of the great celebration
Community
Community