OPENING THE BOOK OF REVELATION –PART 14 Listen to Audio

                                      August 5, 2009

 

   Our studies bring us to the sixth church (Philadelphia) and here we find a different tone than the confrontation evidenced in Sardis.

3:7- “these things says He who is holy, He who is true..”- Jesus is characterized with righteousness and veracity—evidence of His deity and important as the Discerner of these churches, judging their spirituality and walk.

1) Righteousness and Veracity may be intransitive in relation to God’s person as these attributes are part of His essence and require no object for expression.

That is, God’s Person exercises holiness and truthfulness within the Trinity

apart from His creation (man).

2) Righteousness and veracity may be transitive in relation of God’s person to His

creation (man).  All action or relationship that God has with His creatures as objects is based on these 2 words.  God is never unrighteous or untruthful

with His creation.

3) As Christ observes and discerns (judging) these and other local churches,

He acts with righteousness and veracity and therefore, is to be listened to with

fear.  He alone discerns the genuine condition of His churches.

   “who has has the key of David, ..who opens…shuts..”- is taken from

Isaiah 22:20-25; Eliakim was given authority over the King’s treasures and access to Jerusalem.  In application here, it refers to Christ as Possessing all the treasures of the believer (Col.2:3) with authority [key] to dispense the same.

Many see this as an allusion to the period of church history where extensive

missionary work (opens/shuts) was accomplished in the 18th and 19th centuries.

  “no one opens…no one shuts” would emphasize Christ as Sovereign and the undisputed Unseen Hand that guides all of history, rather than economic or political forces.

 

3:8-“an open door”- in Col.4:3 & II Cor.2:12, such a door appears as a venue for ministry or outreach and is given to Philadelphia because they “have a little strength, kept my word and not denied my name”.  Their faithfulness has moved the Lord to give them opportunity for outreach. 

  

3:9- is a warning to those evil and a promise to those obedient- “synagogue of Satan” (see part 8)-refers to those collectively that have mounted opposition against the gospel, acting (although ignorantly) in cohesion with the Evil One.

“say they are Jews and are not”- these physical Jews, who oppose the gospel. fail to reach their appointed heritage as spiritual Jews- Rom.2:28-29.

  Their opposition will be reversed into honor- “make them worship…and know that I have loved you”.

 

3:10- “have kept my command to persevere”—these believers at Phila.

have applied tenacity and endurance to their discipleship, reflecting faithfulness.

“I will keep you from the hour of trial…upon the whole world..”

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1)This phrase is embraced by those who believe the church will be removed from the earth before the time of the Great Tribulation (Daniel 70th week).  It is viewed as evidence of a pre-tribulation “rapture” of believers and is often joined

with I Thess.5:9. 

2) While it is possible that John’s reference to “trial..upon the world world to test ..who dwell on the earth” is NOT referring to the Great Trib.,this is highly unlikely as earlier references in ch.2-3 anticipate the time of Christ’s reign that follows the Great Trib.  In a book that gives details of the Great Trib. why would this verse refer to some other period of time?

3) A few interpret “because you kept my command”, that only SOME believers will be raptured (partial rapture theory) who have shown themselves

obedient.  Such teaching is an inference, not supported by other scripture.

4) This verse supports (does not prove) the doctrine of the pre-tribulational rapture of the true Church, or body of believers; thus terminating the church era and allowing for the divine “clock” of Daniel’s 70th week to begin after this.

 

3:11-“behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast…that no one takes your crown”- Christ moves to excite these believers about His coming for the church

further motivating them to perseverance.  Our anticipation of the rapture is to

move us daily to service and sacrifice.