The Seven Churches of Asia Philadelphia The church

The Seven Churches of Asia Philadelphia The church with an open door Revelation 3: 7 -13 NT Church 2017 -18

Letters to the churches • 7 letters to 7 congregations – symbolic of the church as a whole. Common conditions found in every church • Thus we can ask, “How does this apply to us? ” Sardis

Letters to the churches • The 7 Churches • Ephesus – Left their first love Smyrna – Persecuted (poor-rich) Pergamos – Compromise (tolerating) Thyatira– Corrupt (immorality) Sardis – Dead (or dying) Philadelphia – An open door Laodicea – lukewarm (rich-poor) Sardis

The city of Philadelphia • Philadelphia means, “love of a brother” or “brotherly love” • Located 28 miles southeast of Sardis. • 3 major roads. A border town of 3 countries (Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia) Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia • The gateway to the East • Founded around 140 BC by Attalus for the purpose of being a missionary city – proclaiming the praises of Hellenism (Greek culture) to the East • Economically important for this reason Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia • Rich soil (volcanic region) • Known for its vines and wine • Susceptible to earthquakes 17 AD, near the center of a great earthquake that destroyed the city. Rebuilt with the help of Tiberius. Name changed to Neocaesarea in gratitude A “new name” though temporary Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia • Many temples in the city Dionysius – chief deity (god of wine) Because of many temples was eventually nicknamed, “Little Athens” Extraordinary citizens were honored with a column in one of these temples named after them Philadelphia

The city of Philadelphia • We know nothing of the church, except what is recorded in this letter • Described as, “The church with an open door” or “The weak but strong church” • Likely their main source of antagonism was the Jewish community there Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Christ identified He who is holy Christ is holy! Hebrews 7: 26 Acts 3: 14 – “the Holy One” Philadelphia Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Christ identified He who is True He is both dependable and genuine John 14: 6 Revelation 19: 11 “Faithful and True” Philadelphia Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Christ identified He who has the key of David Reigning on his throne Acts 2: 36 cf. 2 Samuel 7: 16 Philadelphia Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Christ identified He who opens and no one shuts What Jesus declares cannot be stopped Philadelphia Don Mc. Clain, w 65 stchurchofchrist. com

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Condemnations – NONE! • Commendations: • “I know your works” Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Commendations: • See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it • Open door = opportunity. NOTHING hindering one (even Satan) from walking through it • Acts 14: 27, 1 Corinthians 16: 9 2 Corinthians 2: 12, Colossians 4: 3 Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 Commendations: You have a little strength Does NOT mean weak e r a e w t a h t g n e r t s r u o t no limited in some way They – It iswere 7 : 2 1 s n a i h t n i r o C 2 – n perhaps financially, small in number, o g n i d n e p e d 6 1 : 1 s n a m o etc. ; Philippians 4: 13, R 12 • BUT, they did not let those keep them from doing anything • Matthew 25: 18, 24 -30; 2 Corinthians 8: 1 -5, Philadelphia Mark 12: 42 -44 • •

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Commendations: • Have kept My word - They remained faithful to Him. No compromise John 14: 21 -24, 1 John 2: 3, etc. Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Commendations: • Have not denied My name Matthew 10: 32 -33 Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Commendations: • Have not denied My name Matthew 10: 32 -33 In these letters we have seen martyrdom, poverty, prison, etc. Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Judgment of the wicked: • I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not… Very likely it was the Jews who were persecuting them here. No longer recognized by God Romans 2: 28 -29 Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Judgment of the wicked: • They will come and worship before you feet and know that I have loved you The ungodly and persecutors WILL answer – Philippians 2: 9 -11, 2 Thessalonians 1: 5 -10 • Possibly, some would be converted – cf. Romans 12: 19 -21, Matthew 5: 16, 1 Peter 5: 1, etc. Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • More encouragement • Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you… A judgment is coming, but the Lord knows those who are His • He can deliver us – 2 Timothy 3: 12; 2 Peter 2: 9, Hebrews 13: 5, 1 Corinthians 10: 13 Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Call to action • Behold, I am coming quickly – their enemies will be judged. The time is unknown, hence we must always be prepared! Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • Call to action • Hold fast what you have – don’t let go (4 th time in 4 churches) • That no one may take your crown – the victor’s crown (wreath) 2 Timothy 4: 7 -8, 2: 5, etc. • He who overcomes – do not let struggles defeat you Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • The promise • I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God – recall the traditions in the city. God will remember us and we will be part of his “temple” • He shall go out no more – an eternal and settled reward Matthew 25: 46, 343; Revelation 14: 13. Again, recall the city and its earthquakes with constant exits Philadelphia

The Letter to Philadelphia – 3: 7 -13 • The promise • I will write on him the name – identity • Of my God – the eternal god, not a temple idol • Of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem – Hebrews 11: 10, 16; Revelation 21: 9 -22: 5 • My new name – faithfulness and Philadelphia worthiness

Does this apply to us? 3: 7 -13 • It IS possible to be totally faithful to God, as a congregation! We need to always be working toward that end – but it requires a genuine heart willing to study and change, that loves God and each other and the truth! Philadelphia

Does this apply to us? 3: 7 -13 • This is a congregation that is reaching out to bring in the lost AND to keep them. They PROUDLY and openly wear the name of the Lord Philadelphia

Does this apply to us? 3: 7 -13 • They have an open door to anyone willing to listen. Even “the poor and filthy” (James 2: 2) • They are also LOOKING for opportunities and alert – Luke 14: 23, John 4: 35, cf. 1 Corinthians 9: 19 -23 – all things to all men • They do not make excuses, but find a way to accomplish His will Philadelphia

Does this apply to us? 3: 7 -13 • This open door also applies to reception of God’s word, their minds and to one another. • Yet in all this they will NOT compromise God’s word, even if it means being rejected and that they remain small in number and resources. Rejections do not stop them • This is a church filled with the saved and helping them to stay saved Philadelphia

Does this apply to us? 3: 7 -13 • This is a growing church! Whether outward numbers reflect it or not! Philadelphia

• Jesus IS the door – John 10: 9, cf. Ephesians 2: 18 • Jesus is standing at the door and knocking. Will we let Him in? Revelation 3: 20 Philadelphia

Are we like the church at Philadelphia?