To The Church in Philadelphia

THE FAITHFUL CHURCH
Revelation 3:7-13

Introduction:
To the ANGEL of the CHURCH in:
1. Ephesus – Revelation 2:1
2. Smyrna – Revelation 2:8
3. Pergamum – Revelation 2: 12
4. Thyatira – Revelation 2:18
5. Sardis – Revelation 3:1
6. Philadelphia – Revelation 3:7
7. Laodicea – Revelation 3: 14

ANGEL
Jesus does not speak directly to the Church but to the Angel of the Church. Angel (angelos – Greek): a human messenger, or an angel; one sent on a special mission; one dispatched to perform a specific assignment; a delegate or dignitary; depicts the role of a pastor; a messenger of God.
We need to pray for our Pastors to have ears to hear what God is saying to the church. Pastors are the delegates sent from God to deliver God’s message to the congregations. Whenever God has a
corrective word to say to the churches, God sends it through the Pastor. God never bypasses the Pastor, the spiritual authority over the church. That’s why in all these seven churches; Jesus sends
these letters to the angels of these churches.

CHURCH
The word “church” does not appear in the Old Testament but it appears about 120 times in the gospels and the New Testament. The original word translated “church” from original manuscripts is “ekklesia.” This word is the Greek word kaleo (to call), with the prefix ek (out). When these two words are joined, they form the word ekklesia, which describes those who are called and separated to a prestigious assembly. So, according to the New Testament, ekklesia means the local church, that is, a body of individuals who have been called out, and separated for the purposes of God. They have been called out to make eternal decisions that will affect the very atmosphere of their local environment.

PHILADELPHIA
What do we know about the city of Philadelphia?
1. Philadelphia, which is Greek for “brotherly love”, derived from the Ancient Greek terms phílos (beloved, dear) and adelphos (brother, brotherly). Philadelphia was founded by
Eumenes II in honour of his younger brother Attalus II who was nicknamed Philadelphus. He was known for his devotion to his brother. His name brotherly love was perpetuated by the city.

2. Due to its strategic position, Philadelphia became very important for trade and commerce. If you wanted to go to the east, you would have to go through Philadelphia. It was the “open door” for all
commerce, trade, culture, civilization to pass through Asia Minor to the East.

3. Philadelphia was extremely rich in Agriculture, they had a vast amount of grapevines and wine.

4. So, Philadelphia was like a missionary city. It was the last civilized city. The citizens believed that they had the responsibility to export civilization and culture to the East.
– The Church in Philadelphia, like the Church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11), there are zero warnings, there are zero threats, there are zero condemnations, there are zero criticisms, and there are zero
judgments. This Church in Philadelphia, like the Church in Smyrna is pleasing and acceptable to the Jesus Christ.
– The Church in Ephesus (Revelation 2:1-7), had left a zealous love for Jesus Christ;
– The Church in Pergamum (Revelation 2:12-17), they were compromising in idolatry and sexual immorality;
– The Church in Thyatira (Revelation 2:18-28), they were not compromising anymore, but were living in Adultery and advocating for Adultery.
– The Church in Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6), they had a reputation for being alive, but were spiritually dead.

There is a progression:
1. Loss of Love
2. Compromise with the world
3. Sin is accepted
4. Death
5. Lukewarmness

Revelation 3:7 “These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens””.
This is a description of the author of the letter that is not drawn from Revelation 1 like the rest of the letters. The author describes himself in FOUR unique ways.
– These things says He who is holy;
– These things says He who is true;
– These things says He who has the key of David;
– These things says He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.

HOLY
1. CEREMONIAL – set apart for God’s use.
2. MORAL – Pure, sinless, without blemish.
He is the HOLY God who can’t tolerate sin

TRUE

1. TRUE – correct; the opposite of incorrect
2. GENUINE – not fake.
He is the TRUE God who has no place for falsehood
KEY OF DAVID – ISAIAH 22:20-24
Isaiah 22:22 “And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open”.
He has the Messianic Authority

HE WHO OPENS AND NO ONE SHUTS, AND SHUTS AND NO ONE OPENS.
He is the one who decides who enters the Kingdom. [John 14:6 – “Jesus answered, “I am the way and
the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.]
If you study the New Testament, you will realize that Jesus has a key ring and on it He has different
keys. For example:
Matthew 16:19 – Jesus holds the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven
Revelation 1:18 – Jesus holds the keys of Death and Hades
Revelation 3:7 – Jesus holds the key of David
Jesus has ALL the keys. And as the keeper of the Keys, He is the only one who can open the door for you to go from where you are to where you need to be. If you want to go anywhere, you need to have a relationship with the “KEYMAN”.
Revelation 3:8 – “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it”. In the New Testament, “OPEN DOOR” represents a God-given opportunity. [1 Corinthians 16:9; 2
Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3]

PHILALDEPHIA – due to its power, its obedience, its loyalty, and its endurance, was given some amazing privileges.
Revelation 3:9 – “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have
loved you”.
Romans 2:28-29 – “A man is not a Jew because he is one outwardly, nor is circumcision only outward and physical.  No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come from men, but from God”.

HE WHO OVERCOMES: FOUR BLESSINGS
1. I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. – You will live in Heaven forever – In the ancient world, pillars are dedicated to people, great people. Your name will
be carved into the pillars in the Temple of God.

2. I will write on him the name of My God. – The Name of God will be written on you.

3. I will write on him the name of the city of My God – everlasting citizenship.

4. I will write on him my new Name – Whatever name it will be, it will be a name that means the entire God’s majesty.