Revelation 3:7-13 Little Strength, Open Door

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Little Strength, Open Door

Revelation 3:7-13 To the Church in Philadelphia

Introduction: It is encouraging to transition from the letter to the “dead” church in Sardis to the church in Philadelphia. Jesus had no corrections to be made to this church and instead writes a positive letter of hope to these Christians. 

What should first come to our minds is the contrast between the five churches who were rebuked and the two churches that were not rebuked. The Christians in the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia endured suffering and slander and yet refused to compromise. Jesus complimented the Philadelphia Christians because they “kept his word and did not deny his name.” The implication is clear – they were severely threatened but did not budge in their faith. It is that kind of faith and confession of Jesus that truly stands out in the two faithful churches. 

1. Background of Philadelphia
   1. Philadelphia was located on a main trade route from the west to the east and therefore became a wealthy trade center. The outskirts of the city was especially conducive to grape growing, which made the city famous for its fine wines.
   2. The success of their wines gave prominence to Dionysus, the Greek god of the vine and of wine, making it the chief pagan cult of the city. In fact, Philadelphia had so many temples and festivals to the pagan deities that it was often called “Little Athens.”
   3. That being said, according to the letter, their primary persecution was coming from the Jews. We know that there were wealthy Jews in the city who had built a beautiful synagogue. This reminds us of similar persecution  that was taking place by the Jews in Smyrna. 
   4. Now notice what Jesus said in verse 10 that reveals the present condition at the time of the writing. The “trial that is coming on the whole world” has not yet begun. However, persecution is still present, and in the case of Smyrna and Philadelphia, it was coming from the Jews. The other letters have clearly shown that persecution also came from the pagans, but was localized depending on the city. This is a reminder to us that the writing of Revelation was not during the empire-wide persecution, but prior to it. 
2. Jesus’ Self-Identification
   1. As usual, Jesus identifies himself in a way that coincides with the condition of the church. In this case, the church has been faithful and true in their allegiance to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus identifies himself as the “holy and true one.” This connects with 1:5 where Jesus is identified as “the faithful witness.” Therefore, the holy and true (faithful) Jesus will empower these Christians to also be faithful witnesses.
   2. Jesus is also called “holy and true” in 6:10 when those who have been killed for the cause cry out and ask how long before their blood is avenged. They recognized that Jesus as holy and trustworthy will answer their call and avenge their blood on the enemies.
   3. This is also a title affirming Jesus’ deity. In Isaiah, their are 20 occurrences in which God is given the title “the Holy One of Israel.”
   4. One other connection: Jesus is also true in comparison to the “synagogue of Satan” who claim to be “Jews” but are liars. They are not true Jews and their claims that Jesus is not the true Messiah are also false.
   5. Having the “key of David” parallels 1:18 where Jesus announces that he has the “keys to death and Hades.” The description is also a reference to Isaiah 22:22 that speaks of Eliakim as God’s servant over the house of Israel. The immediate idea seems to be that Jesus holds power over those who enter his kingdom and those who are refused. The Jews in the city may have refused Jewish Christians entrance into their synagogue, and thus Jesus assures the church that he is the one who opens and shuts, and has control over entrance into his kingdom.
3. The Message
   1. “I have set before you and open door” – The idea of an open door is used repeatedly in the NT to refer to an opportunity to teach the gospel:
      1. Acts 14:27 “A door of faith” opened to the Gentiles
      2. 1 Corinthians 16:9 “A wide door for effective work” opened at Ephesus
      3. 2 Corinthians 2:12 “A door was opened to preach the gospel…”
      4. Colossians 4:3 “Pray for us that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ.”
   2. Therefore, since Jesus has the power to open doors to the kingdom, Jesus sets before the Philadelphia Christians and open door that no one can shut. There are principles here that are important for us to consider:
      1. The success of bringing the gospel message is not completely in our hands. 
         1. Matthew 9:35-38 Because the harvest was so great and urgent, Jesus urged his disciples to “pray to the Lord of harvest to send for laborers into is harvest.”
         2. In Colossians 4:3-6 Paul urged the Christians to pray that God may open a door for the word.
         3. 2 Thessalonians 3:1 “Pray for us that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored…” 
         4. Ezekiel 36:37-38 “Thus says the Lord God: ‘This also I will let the house of Israel ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock. Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” 
         5. Are we praying this way? If we don’t ask, why would he bother since we are not showing enough interest to pursue the doors he might open? 
      2. The open door Jesus is giving is dependent on the works of the Philadelphia Christians. “I know your works…you have kept my word and not denied my name.” The Lord will give opportunities to those who desire it and who will represent him properly.
      3. “I know that you have but little power…” Little power may indicate the size of the church or low in the social order of the city. Regardless, that “little” makes no difference to the Lord. The Lord’s power supersedes numbers. We need to remember the words of Jonathan just before he and his armor bearer put the whole Philistine army to flight: “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” (1 Samuel 14:6).
4. The Promises
   1. Verse 9: “I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.” 
      1. This is a fascinating statement because of similar statements in Isaiah concerning how Gentiles would come and bow before the Jews. Cf. Isaiah 45:14; 60:14. At first, we think Jesus is reversing “Jew” and “Gentile.” But then we realize that the ethnic Jew is now the Gentile (Galatians 4:30), and the Gentile of today who has come to Christ is the true Jew (Romans 9:6). 
      2. Assuming Jesus is alluded to the Isaiah text, his meaning would be that the Jews of the synagogue of Satan will one day realize their error, and possibly even some would come to Christ. It is difficult to know to what extent Jesus is making this reference.
   2. Verse 10: “I will keep you from the hour of trial…” 
      1. Our first question is, does Jesus mean they will escape the trial altogether? Not likely, since all would be tried during this time. More likely, Jesus is referring to protecting them during the trial. In fact, we later see this alluded to in the book: 7:1-4; 11:1-2.
      2. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 gives a similar application for us: “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” 
   3. Verse 11: 
      1. “I am coming soon” – likely referring again to Jesus coming in judgment on those who are persecuting them.
      2. “Hold fast…” Indeed, as good as the church in Philadelphia was, there is always the warning of not letting things slip. Never get comfortable. Stay on high alert! The devil is still here!
   4. Verse 12: The message is the security of eternal life that Jesus is guaranteeing these Christians.
      1. “A pillar in the temple” – Peter refers to us as living stones in the temple. Jesus escalates that picture by saying they will be a pillar in the temple. The picture is of that which is immovable. They will never worry about “going out.” 
      2. He is given “the name of God” and “the name of the city of God” and “Jesus own new name.” In each case, the idea is of the ownership and protection and eternal security these Christians have because they kept his word and did not deny his name. 

Concluding Applications 

1. Consider that five out of seven churches were failing to meet Jesus’ standards to be one of his churches. That should be a sobering thought! Simply put, we cannot coast, we must press ourselves to truly reflect Jesus, and we must be bold to testify concerning his name.
2. This should be a strong consideration when we each evaluate our own faith. Jesus gave a universal principle in Luke 16:10-13. We prove our worth and faithfulness in little things, so that the Lord can trust is in fulfill the bigger challenges. 
3. Even when we evaluate our own trials throughout our lives, God tests us to the point of our limitations at the moment and then increases the strength of trials as we get stronger. This was seen in Abraham’s life.
4. Therefore, when we do not conquer the small tests in our lives, especially in regard to what we will put first, what makes us think we will pass a major test of our lives being threatened as with the 1st century Christians?
5. I hope you recognize how amazing this letter is in the midst of all the other letters. I don’t think I have ever read these letters and been as impressed and struck with the seriousness of what we are doing in this world as a church and as disciples of Jesus. Brethren, we are one of his lampstands and he walking in our midst. Are we what we ought to be? 

Berry Kercheville