Seven churches of revelation PHILADELPHIA THE FAITHFUL CHURCH

Seven churches of revelation PHILADELPHIA - THE FAITHFUL CHURCH (Revelation 3: 7 -13) Allen Lo – June 16, 2019

SEVEN CHURCHES OF REVELATION 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Ephesus - The Loveless Church (Rev 2: 1 -7) Smyrna - The suffering Church (Rev 2: 8 -11) Pergamum - The compromising Church (Rev 2: 12 -17) Thyatira - The adulterous Church (Rev 2: 18 -29) Sardis - The Dead Church (Rev 3: 1 -6) Philadelphia - The Faithful Church (Rev 3: 7 -13) Laodicea - The Lukewarm Church (Rev 3: 14 -22)

KEY VERSES: REVELATION 3: 7 -13 • Rev 3: 7 “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. • Rev 3: 8 “‘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. • Rev 3: 9 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.

KEY VERSES: REVELATION 3: 7 -13 • Rev 3: 10 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. • Rev 3: 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. • Rev 3: 12 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. • Rev 3: 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ’

BYZANTINE CHURCH COLUMNS IN PHILADELPHI A

BYZANTINE CHURCH COLUMNS IN PHILADELPHI A

THEATRE OF HIERAPOLIS PHILADELPHI A

THEATRE OF HIERAPOLIS PHILADELPHI A

PORCH OF MAIDENS

CHURCH OF PHILADELPHI A

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA • Philadelphia is today‘s Alaşehir in Turkey • Philadelphia, which means “brotherly love, ” was situated in Lydia along the Hermus River valley • Philadelphia was a dangerous place to live due the many earthquakes experienced • Philadelphia was a temple warden and gave to the emperor the title “The Son of the Holy One. ” • Philadelphia was founded with the deliberated intention that it might be a missionary of Greek culture and the Greek language to Lydia and Phrygia;

CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA • Not much historical background of the church in Philadelphia. • It is likely that it was establish and influenced by Paul's missionary journey near the area.

GENERAL PATTERN OF THE LETTERS • Author and receiver of the letter • Praises • Rebuke (No) • Remedy -> Comfort • Warning • Promise (Overcomers)

AUTHOR AND RECEIVER OF THE LETTER • Rev 3: 7 “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. • To: • The minister (pastor)/messenger of the church in Philadelphia • From: • “The holy one” asserts he is the absolutely righteous One • "The true one” “True” is the Greek word alhqinos means “real” • “Who has the key of David. ” - rule and kingdom on earth • “The One opening …” Authority and guidance • He is Jesus Christ

PRAISES • Rev 3: 8 “‘I know your works. . . I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. • Rev 3: 10 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. • Faithfulness with opportunities given to them • Faithfulness with spiritual gifts • Faithfulness to the Word • Faithfulness to Christ

REBUKE • How wonderful it is to have NO rebuke!

‘TAKE A PAUSE AND THINK …’ • Are we faithful ? • What is faithful? • “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? ” Proverbs 20: 6. • His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master. ’ Matthew 25: 23 • Faithful - Using the gifts given by God and do what He wants us to do in fullness • Are we faithful?

REMEDY-> COMFORT • Rev 3: 9 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. • Rev 3: 10 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. • Comfort concerning the persecutors • They will eventually be humiliated • Comfort concerning the tribulations • Promise of deliverance

WARNING • Rev 3: 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. • Judgment and punishment (consequence of sin) • I am coming soon - Psalm 98: 9 before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. • Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. • Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (I Peter 5: 8)

PROMISE (OVERCOMERS) • Rev 3: 12 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. • I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. • Never shall he go out of it, • I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem,

CONCLUSION • The church in Philadelphia is a church of Faithfulness • (1) Faithfulness with opportunities given to them • (2) Faithfulness with spiritual gifts • (3) Faithfulness to the Word • (4) Faithfulness to Christ • If we are faithful, we will be rewarded with permanent honor and responsibility

GETTING REAL • Personal reflection of where we are spiritually • What areas of faithfulness are mentioned? • Will there be any different when we get to heaven whether we are faithful or not? • How can we show our faithfulness to God?