I Got You
Ready - The Book of Revelation • Sermon • Submitted
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Intro:
Intro:
Last week, California had it’s largest earthquake in quite some time. The Ridgecrest earthquake was measured at a 7.1 on the richter scale. If you’re wondering how powerful that is, one source compared it to the power of 45 nuclear bombs. That’s pretty scary to think about the ground shaking with that kind of force.
Most of you know Janelle and I are from California. I can remember quite a few earthquakes in my life. One in particular was right after my oldest son was born. After his birth, he spent 10 days in the NICU. Because of the care he needed, he was taken to a hospital in near Anaheim, about 90 mins north of San Diego.
I can remember Janelle and I wanting a break from the hospital room, so we decided to grab breakfast at the local Dennys. Now, some of you know that Anaheim is where Disneyland is located. I mentioned this because Georgie was born in the Summertime (actually his birthday is in a couple of weeks) and Disneyland was in full tourist-mode. As we entered Dennys, it was packed with people who had traveled from all over to visit the Magic Kingdom.
Our meals had just gotten to the table when we began to notice a vibration. Then, it got stronger and stronger. We soon realized we were having an earthquake! So, we calmly got under the table - something all southern Californian children are trained to do in school. However, when the shaking stopped, we got up and noticed the restaurant was nearly empty. No, it wasn’t the rapture.
What happened was all the tourists (those who weren’t used to earthquakes) had panicked and ran out of the restaurant and literally ran into the parking lot and streets. Slowly, they begun to come back in to gather their belongings, but they were crying and talking about how they just wanted to go back home. Janelle and I looked at each other and laughed. It wasn’t even a strong earthquake (5.5).
It’s amazing how where you grow up and what you’ve experienced affects your perspective on life. We grew up expecting earthquakes. It was just a reality of life in California. So, we prepare for them. And when they happen, life goes on. But for the tourists who weren’t expecting an earthquake or had never experienced one, it was like the world was ending.
What we’ve experienced and what we expect can shape both what we’re afraid of and what we’re prepared for. It can impact our outlook on life and our hopes for the future.
Georgie’s birth:
California. Earthquake. Just had one.
Tourists - Shaking. We’re trained for it.
It’s amazing how where you grow up and what you’ve experienced affects your perspective on life.
It shapes what we’re afraid of and what we’re prepared for.
It can impact our hopes and future?
Like California, Philadelphia was a region impacted by earthquakes. Early in the first century, an earthquake rocked this city and it took a while for them to recover. Especially since aftershocks lingered for a long time. They literally lived on shaky ground. Always wondering when the next quake would hit.
This changed the way they viewed life. One bible commentator said the people “made all their plans with earthquakes in mind.” If you will, this “fear” influenced the hopes and future of the community. And I’m sure you can agree, living in constant fear is no way to live.
You may have heard before that God says (in one way or another) in His Word, “Do not fear” 365 times. At the very least, that’s significant because there is a command to not fear every day of the year. God doesn’t want His people to fear. Rather, He wants us to trust Him - to put our faith in Him.
The Bible says:
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
We also read...
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
God’s people don’t need to be afraid, because God is “their” God!
Growing up, I was DEATHLY afraid of the dark. Honestly, I still kinda am. Unfortunately, I think I passed this gene to my sons. My kids are afraid of the dark. They don’t like going upstairs at night by themselves. The basement - forget about it!
However, when I’m with them, that fear goes away. Why? Because in their mind, “I got them.” I’ll take care of them. They trust me. They trust I will protect them. And the fear goes away. That’s how God want us to live.
He wants us to trust Him, no matter how scary and unpredictable the circumstances, because He is with us. That was his message to the Philadelphians. He wrote...
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.
“ ‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
Exegesis:
Exegesis:
The language here is emphatic to both titles of “the holy one” and “the true one.” Jesus really wants us to pick up on this. He wants us to understand - this is who I am!
He is “the holy one”… the title reserved for God alone. And He is “the true one”… the one who is perfectly true, perfectly genuine, perfectly faithful. He is God and we can trust Him!
Then, Jesus adds something interesting. He says, “[the one] who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.” Very likely Jesus is referencing ...
And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
Back in Isaiah’s day, there was a steward to King Hezekiah. He was probably the 2nd most powerful person in Judah. And he had a ton of responsibility. But in this passage, Isaiah the prophet was calling him out.
You see, he was an unfaithful servant. One of his duties would be to care for the citizens of the kingdom. Yet, this steward (Shebna), was only concerned about leaving a legacy for himself.
And so Isaiah prophesied that another man - a man of no reputation - named Eliakim, would take his place. Only Eliakim would be faithful. He would be given the keys to the kingdom and could be trusted to fulfill his responsibilities. The king and the people could trust him. He was even described as a peg securely holding the tent (or house of Judah) in place.
But then we read...
In that day, declares the Lord of hosts, the peg that was fastened in a secure place will give way, and it will be cut down and fall, and the load that was on it will be cut off, for the Lord has spoken.”
This wasn’t to say that Eliakim would eventually be unfaithful. Rather, it points to the fact that Eliakim was just
a man. The kingdom couldn’t put their hope into him - even if he was really faithful. Their hope would have to come from somewhere else. The implication is to hope in the coming Messiah.
And when Jesus says:
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
He’s saying, “I’m God and you can completely trust Me. I’m faithful and will always fulfill my responsibilities. You don’t need to live in fear. You can put your hope in Me.”
The reason the Philadelphian church needed to hear this was they were facing persecution. Like the Smyrna church, the Jewish community in their city had disowned the church, which then allowed Rome to persecute them.
If you remember, the Jews had a long standing agreement with Rome that made them exempt from worshiping the Roman gods or the emperor. Because the church had started out of the Jewish community, they were able to operate underneath that umbrella policy of protection.
But now, the Jews were closing the door on the church and telling Rome, “They are not part of us. Feel free to kill them.” And this rocked the church of Philadelphia. It shook their world. Especially sense verse 8 says...
“ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Philadelphian church had little power… or, was a small powerless church. If they no longer protected by the Jews, who would protect them? And you can imagine, fear began to creep into this small church.
But Jesus says, “I got you!” The one who can be trusted says, “They may have closed their doors to you, but My door to you is open - and no man can close it. Your circumstances may make it seem like the world is falling apart, but I’m God and I’m in charge. Just trust me.”
Here’s the point. Jesus wants them to know this: Don’t worry about them, because I got your back - I got you!
Verse 8 - You might have little power, but you’re doing exactly what I’ve asked you to do. You have kept my word and have not denied my name. You’ve done exactly what I’ve asked you to do - and that’s what’s important.
He goes on to say...
Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
Harsh language, but Jesus is real. He calls it like it is. The Jews are supposed to be God’s people, but they aren’t acting like it. Actually, they are attacking God’s people. Therefore, in reality, they’re aligning themselves with Satan. But Jesus clarifies, “I got you. They may think they are right, but I’m going to make them bow down before your feet - they are going to see that YOU are right!”
And I love that last part… “they will learn that I have loved you.” Look, as people of faith and the word, we are not supposed to let circumstances or our feelings dictate our life. But that’s easier said then done.
Life gets overwhelming. Feelings get the best of us. And when things aren’t going right, it’s easy to think, “Does God even love me? Do I really belong to Him?” That’s probably what Philadelphia feared.
But Jesus says, “they will learn that I have loved you.” Or rather, “I have always loved you - it’s always been you!” Think how comforting that would’ve been to them. It’s like those epic romantic movie scenes where a person says to the one they love, “It’s always been you. I’ve always loved you. You had me at hello.” Jesus tells them, “Don’t worry about them. I have always loved you. I got you.”
Then Jesus adds...
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Now, this verse presents an opportunity to talk about some “end-times” events here. The language here indicates Jesus is talking a future event. A future trial coming on the whole earth. A time of tribulation Jesus promises His church deliverance from, or protection through. We don’t have time to go down that rabbit trail this morning, but as we progress through Revelation, there will be plenty of opportunities to discuss those things.
Here’s the part of this verse I want to focus on this morning: Because they KEPT Jesus’ word, Jesus is going to KEEP them. Basically, because you did what I asked, I got you. Not to say, Jesus’ faithfulness is contingent upon our works - it’s not. Jesus is always faithful! Rather Jesus says, “Because you’re doing what I say, you prove you’re my people. And if you’re my people, I got you!”
This would’ve been incredibly encouraging to little Philadelphia. To know that all God was asking them to do is be faithful. Not to make war. Not to defend themselves. Not to prove themselves. Not to grow in numbers or power. Just be faithful!
There’s a clear application to us today. We are a small church plant in an area that has a reputation for being closed off to the gospel. But God says to us: I have opened a door to you and no one can shut it.
In fact, the day Jesus spoke to Janelle and I’s heart that it was time to sell everything, and move to Connecticut to start this church, our friend texted us this verse. She didn’t even know we made the decision yet. God spoke to us. Then, right after, we get this text saying, “I don’t know why, but I feel like God wants me to send you this verse...”
It was...
“ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
And over the coming months, we saw that God truly opened a door for us. Everything supernaturally fell into place for us to make - what seemed to be - an impossible move. And as you know personally, God was faithful to do what He said He would do. He told us to move from San Diego to Glastonbury to start a church. We had little power. We didn’t have money. We didn’t have support. We didn’t have a large team. But what we did have was an open door from God. And church, that’s all you need! This morning, we are proof of that.
And this morning, we still find ourselves relating to Philadelphia. We are a new and small church. But I believe God’s word to us is, “There is an open door before you that no one can shut.” We may be small, but we are faithful. There might be forces wanting to close the door on us, but God’s opened a door that no one can shut. God’s let us into Glastonbury and no person or thing can stop that. He’s got us! We just need to keep being faithful to God’s word and His name (Jesus!).
We may have to press through some hard things. That’s okay… it’s not about circumstances or feelings. Jesus’ word to the Philadelphians was to “endure.” He told them to expect opposition and press through it. Endurance is a part of the Christian life. Jesus told us...
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
We are called to endure. Here’s an important principle: When something is expected, it changes our experience.
Janelle and I grew up in California, where we expect there to be Earthquakes. It doesn’t make earthquakes less dangerous or scary. We just expect them. And if we expect them, we can prepare for them. It changes our experience of when earthquakes happen. They don’t destroy our lives. It shakes us, but we expect them, so we keep moving on.
That’s like trials and opposition in the Christian life. We should expect to endure hard times. We don’t ignore them. We don’t lie to ourselves and say they aren’t hard. We expect them, endure them, and move on.
River Church family. We are a bible believing church. We love Jesus and desire to tell others about him. We should expect resistance. And if we expect it, when it happens, we won’t be shaken by it. We’ll endure it and keep moving forward by faith. Why? Because God has given us an open door. And God’s got us.
And here’s our hope. One day, we won’t have to endure anymore. One day… Jesus is coming back.
I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
David said...
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Now, we have to endure. We will face hard times. We will be hurt. We go through things we don’t understand. Jesus’ message to us is, “Don’t worry. I got you.”
But Jesus’ message is also, “One day, I’m coming back. And when I do, I’ll make everything right.” And that’s the primary message of the end of this letter to Philadelphia. Jesus says...
The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Everything Jesus says speaks into the “fears” of the church - the hard times they experienced.
When the earthquakes came, it’s said that much of the buildings fell down. However, one of the few things standing were the temple pillars. The church would’ve heard Jesus’ words, looked around, and had a clear picture of how pillars can withstand the earth shaking events. And they would’ve had hope!
Jesus says they will “[You’ll have a eternal home] and never … go out of it.” After the earthquakes, many were left homeless and had to leave the city just to survive. God’s promises is one day, when He makes everything right, you will have a permanent home that you’ll never have to leave. This would’ve given them hope!
Finally, he mentions that those who endure will receive God’s name on them. Not too long before this letter, Philadelphia had changed it’s name a couple of times to honor Rome. They took the name “Neocaesarea” to show gratitude for Rome helping rebuilding their city. They also took the title of “Flavia” to once again honor the imperial dynasty. However, Rome didn’t reciprocate the honor. In fact, Rome, in an effort to honor they’re own interest (similar to Shebna, the unfaithful steward of Hezekiah), took over the industry of Philadelphia and all but destroyed the economy. But Jesus says, “You can trust Me. I got you. If you endure, I’m going to GIVE YOU MY NAME and I will perfectly care for you!”
Here’s the promise to the church (including us). We don’t have to worry, God’s got us. We just need to be faithful. We need to endure and be ready for His return. He’s coming back. And when He does, He’s going to make everything right. And this should give us hope, in all circumstances.
Response:
Response:
As we close, I want to encourage us to put our trust in Jesus. To not worry about the difficulties of live, but to endure them, and put our trust (faith) in Jesus. God’s got our back. He’s got us.
We may have to deal with the earthquakes of life. But if we expect them, we can prepare for them. We can walk through them saying, “God’s got me. It’s scary. It hurts. I don’t understand. But I trust Him.”
Because the encouragement - or Jesus’ warning to endure - to “hold fast what we have, so that no one may seize our crown” is real. We can’t give up. Jesus wants us to endure knowing there is hope for the future.
The sad fact is, history tells us the church of Philadelphia did not endure. They were one of two churches (of seven), that Jesus did not rebuke. They were an awesome, small, but faithful church. God had them. But they didn’t endure. They gave up.
The charge for us is to not give up is real.We need to trust God, be faithful, and endure until His return.
Also, if you have an open door in front of you, go through it - God’s got you! If you’ve gone through that open door and it’s gotten tough… keeping walking. ENDURE. Don’t give up. One day Jesus is going to reward you for your faith.
The trick is discerning the open doors before us. Let’s be real. Not every open door is God’s open door. Satan can trick us into walking through an open door. We can force doors open. We can manipulate our ways through doors. So how do we know? I think we can pull three things from our passage that can help us:
Did God show us an open door through His word? I believe God reveals open doors to us through His word.
Does this open door give glory to God? Philadelphia was a church that did not deny Jesus’ name. They were all about Jesus! And God put an open door before them. I believe God opens doors for the purpose of glorifying His name.
Who’s strength are we depending on in this open door situation? Our own? Or are we walking in faith and obedience - even though we have “little power?” If we have to force our way through the door, or force the door open, it’s probably not God’s open door.