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Part 6 of 6
Week 6 of the SEVEN series on Jesus' letters to the ancient churches
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Reliées par le texte biblique ou par des thèmes communs.
We are in week six of a seven-week series walking through Revelation chapters two and three. Jesus wrote seven letters to ancient churches, and we often get caught up in the end-times prophecies of Revelation and miss Jesus in the message. But the whole Bible points to Jesus, so that you will see Jesus. While Revelation contains 22 chapters of end-times prophecy that is unfolding right before our eyes, these letters to the seven churches reveal Jesus' heart for His people.
This message was given to John, one of Jesus' disciples, while he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos for preaching the gospel. Jesus commanded John to write down everything he saw and heard and to present it to the churches. John faithfully followed this mission and sent these letters to seven ancient churches in Asia Minor.
Philadelphia was established in 189 BC by King Attalus II of Pergamon, who named the city after his brother Eumenes II, whom he loved deeply. The name Philadelphia literally means "the one who loves his brother"—giving us the modern city of Brotherly Love.
The physical city was beautiful, built on the side of a mountain with lush landscapes, rivers running through it, and verdant vineyards that produced the finest wine in the world. The fertility came from volcanic ash that had fallen on the ground, enriching the soil. Even what appears as destruction—ash falling to the ground—can become fertile and productive in God's hands. This is a picture of how God redeems difficult circumstances in our lives.
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However, like every major city, Philadelphia was also filled with sin, wickedness, idolatry, and hatred. In 17 AD, a major earthquake devastated the city, and the survivors were so afraid of the buildings collapsing again that they slept outside in farmyards and countryside rather than in their homes. The Romans then came and destroyed the vineyards—the city's entire economy—because they did not want Philadelphia's vineyards to rival their own.
The Christians in Philadelphia faced severe persecution from their own countrymen—the Jews who held significant influence and respect in the community. When Jews refused to allow Christians to enter their synagogues, the broader community followed suit. Families were torn apart; relatives would side with the Jews, and some Christians would be dragged from their beds while their wives and children watched helplessly.
So imagine the plight of Philadelphia's Christians: they had no family support, no community, no church to gather in, no place to sleep, no money, and no employment. Yet they remained faithful to Jesus Christ.
To awaken us to the reality of persecution happening today, consider Pastor Richard Wurmbrand from Romania. He was arrested and tortured for 14 years for refusing to renounce Christ. In solitary confinement, beaten and broken, his only hope was prayer. When his torturers asked him, "You have nothing left—no wife, no children. What are you praying for?" he replied, "I'm praying for you." That response broke through their hardness. Pastor Wurmbrand was eventually released, founded Voice of the Martyrs, and lived to be 91. Your faithfulness, no matter the degree, is never useless.
"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." (Revelation 3:7)
Jesus introduces Himself as the Holy One—the righteous one, the all-magnificent one, the Son of the Living God. All holiness and righteousness flow from Him. Every good thing—every flower we smell, every loving touch, every raindrop, every child we embrace—comes from His holiness and righteousness. He is set apart, high and holy, pure, never having told a lie or done anything outside the boundaries of what He was called to do. Jesus is always perfect, always pure.
"When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained... They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?'" (Revelation 6:9-10)
Jesus hears the blood of the martyrs crying out to Him from the altar. Just as Abel's blood cried out for vengeance after Cain killed him, the blood of faithful believers who have given their lives for Christ cries out before the Mercy Seat.
"Who has the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." (Revelation 3:7)
Jesus speaks directly to the persecution they face. The Jews were literally slamming doors in their faces, but Jesus says: "Not anymore. I hold the keys. I have all access, all power, all authority." The doors that are open to you will never be shut because He controls them.
This echoes Isaiah 22:19-21, which speaks of Eliakim, servant of the Lord, receiving "the key of the house of David" and being granted authority: "What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." The Bible always interprets itself. Jesus operates within the parameters of God's Word, never stepping outside them.
"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut." (Revelation 3:8)
When we think of "open doors" in Western Christianity, we think of jobs, relationships, cars, and material blessings. But when Jesus speaks of open doors, He means something different:
Every open door God gives you is to proclaim the gospel. It is not wrong to desire a good job, pray for advancement, or work toward your goals. But when God opens that door, remember: the job is an open door to spread the gospel. The new car is an open door to spread the gospel. Your new relationship is an open door to spread the gospel.
The Christians in Philadelphia understood this deeply because they were under heavy persecution. They knew what it meant to have doors closed and to see God's favor opening doors so they could continue spreading the gospel. Don't look at open doors merely for your own benefit. The open door is for the benefit of the Lord—that's why He opened it.
"I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." (Revelation 3:8)
Most theologians believe "little strength" refers to the small size of the church, but Jesus does not specifically say what kind of weakness they have. What matters is this: despite having nowhere to stay, no job, no place to gather, and living in constant fear, they did not deny the name of Jesus Christ.
This is not meant to diminish anyone's suffering or make light of what others are going through. Rather, it is to show that if you continue to push through and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, it will be okay. If it is not okay now, it will be okay in glory.
"I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you." (Revelation 3:9)
Jesus references John 8:42-47, where He tells the religious leaders who oppose Him:
"If God were your Father, you would love me... You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him." (John 8:42-47)
When you speak the word of God and people do not respond, it becomes evident. You don't have to argue or debate with people; you don't have to beat the Bible over their heads. Our job is to live out our faith in front of them in love.
Many people are content to cause turmoil and drain your energy. Don't let anyone steal your joy or peace. Instead, walk out your salvation faithfully before them.
"Kings will be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down before you with their faces to the ground; they will lick the dust at your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who hope in me will not be disappointed." (Isaiah 49:23)
There is coming a day when your faithfulness will be restored to the fullest. You do not have to argue or fight your way into rooms or relationships. Simply walk out your salvation faithfully, and let God vindicate you.
"Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth." (Revelation 3:10)
This verse contains a twofold message. First, Jesus is saying that suffering will come, and we must let go of the illusion that we will not suffer. That is a lie. Everyone in this room is suffering in some way, shape, or form. If we were not meant to suffer, then Jesus would be a liar, because He Himself said:
"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Yes, you will go through suffering. But remember Me. Stay faithful to Me. Be encouraged by Me. Know that I am sitting on the throne, and I see you. Jesus did promise that His Spirit would be with us—the Holy Spirit is our guarantee that whatever we go through, He is with us, leading us beside still waters and into green pastures.
The second part of this message requires homework: Read Matthew chapters 24 and 25. Jesus speaks about the coming age, the end of the age, His return, and the abomination of desolation. When Roman soldiers desecrated the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar, 80,000 Jews refused to bow because they could not worship what had been defiled. We need to know what is coming. God did not save us for nothing; He saved us from the coming wrath.
"I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." (Revelation 3:11)
Keep the faith, my brothers and sisters. Jesus says: "I see what you are going through. I see your struggle, your frustration. I see the people mistreating you, the suffering, the deaths. I see it all. Don't give up on Me because I am coming soon."
We try to put a time frame on "coming soon," but Jesus is not measuring time in that way. It is in a moment—a twinkling of an eye. It could happen at any second. Jesus is not the baby in the manger; He is coming for war.
Don't lose your crown. Don't forfeit the favor of God. Don't think, "This is too much for me. They're asking me to come every Sunday, to serve, to give, to go where?" Remember: God's power shows up when we are faithful.
I remember when we visited a homeless shelter downtown. On the landing of the stairs was a woman in the midst of great sin and turmoil. We went upstairs and prayed for people, and this woman came and asked us to pray for her. The facility director later told us, "That woman has been down there doing that for years. Churches come here all the time, but I have never seen an outpouring of God's power the way I do when you all come." It is nothing we have done—it is simply being faithful. God's power shows up. Don't forfeit your crown through unfaithfulness.
King Saul had the kingdom of God at his fingertips but lost it because he was unfaithful. He thought, "I'll do what I think is right because I'm the king," but God had given him that kingship to edify the church. Be faithful with what God has given you. Don't get replaced before you are even out of office.
"The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, that comes down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name." (Revelation 3:12)
The Temple in Jerusalem had two massive pillars named Boaz and Jachin, representing stability and strength. In the Roman Empire, every building had writing on it identifying who it honored and represented. But Jesus tells the Philadelphia church: "In My Kingdom, you don't have to worry about pillars falling on you because of earthquakes. You are safe in My Kingdom."
You are a pillar—stable and strong—and you will never go out of My Kingdom. There is nothing to crush you or harm you, but you must stay faithful in the task handed to you. Keep going, keep believing, keep reading, keep praying, keep coming to church. "I'm going to take care of you. You are My kept ones."
And Jesus will write on you: His name, the name of the city of God (the New Jerusalem), and His new name—a name we don't yet know. That makes it personal. Imagine the Lord writing His name on your heart, on your mind. That is your reward.
"Then I saw 'a new heaven and a new earth'... I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God... 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'" (Revelation 21:1-5)
Everything you are striving for right now will be gone. Your car, your house, your career, your relationships as they exist now—all of it will pass away. But don't mourn this! Listen to what comes next:
"'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.'" (Revelation 21:6-7)
All the things you are thirsting for in this life, you will receive from the spring of the water of life without payment. Come and drink.
"I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp... Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life." (Revelation 21:22-27)
You won't need a place to worship God because He will be everywhere. There will be no more jockeying for position, no more trying to talk to an elder to pray for you—all of that is gone because everything is perfect. No more tears, no more crying, no more pain. Nothing unclean will enter, and no wickedness will exist in that city.
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:13)
No matter what size you are, where you are from, or what you have been through, God Almighty is faithful to you and will bring you through—either now or in the life to come. We must put ourselves in remembrance that He is coming, and He is coming quickly—in the twinkling of an eye.
The most important thing is that you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the anointed one, the almighty one, the one who has rescued and delivered you.
Do your homework: read Matthew chapters 24 and 25. Meditate on it. Ask the Holy Spirit to put you in remembrance of the things to come. It will keep you faithful. We bow out and faint because we won't read about our reward. But that reward is real, and it is glorious.
His life is fading away. Time is running out. Stay faithful.
