HOLDING FAST Philadelphia

#233b                                                 HOLDING FAST

                                                              Philadelphia                                                                        

Scripture  Revelation 3:7-13                                                                                       Orig. 2/20/1966

                                                                                                                                 Rewr. 3/15/1989

Passage:
7 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. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 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. 10 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 the inhabitants of the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 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, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Purpose:           Teaching Revelation to adults in Church Training

Keywords:        Christ as Mediator                   Salvation                     Mission of the Church             Grace

Timeline/Series:           Revelation letters         Philadelphia

Introduction

            Four times already the exhortation delivered to these churches had advised repentance.  Only one of the five yet studied (Smyrna), does not contain this message.  Philadelphia is one of only two not challenged by this need.

            The last two churches will both be challenged by the symbol of doors.  Philadelphia, the city of “brotherly love” reveals an “Open door,” opened and unshuttable.  The final church, Laodicea, will reflect a closed door.  Christ himself is pictured standing before this door, “knocking.”  The advice given here is to “hold fast.”

I.          First, Let’s Examine the Open Door.  V8 “I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it.”

            Opened by God Himself.  Perfect passive participle—opened to stay open.  Such doors are for trusting friends.  AARP program for “latchkey kids.”

            Doors are opened for the church to move out.  Opportunity of service to God. Gibbon: tall column amidst rubble of fallen city.  Opened to launch attack against evil.  Church not a bastion of defense.  V11 “hold that fast which thou hast.”  Major on boldness.  Isaiah 22:5 “day of trouble.”  V22 Eliakim [Eliakim's authority to “open . . . and shut” results from “the key of the house of David” being put “on his shoulder.”]. Peter, Matthew 16:18 “upon this rock I will build.”

II.         Consider the Overpowering Love.  V9 “Behold, I will make them to . . . know that I have loved thee.”

            First mark is forgiveness.  Some do not seek.  Others cheapen meaning.  Harlot (Luke 7) doesn’t return to her trade.  Meaning of crucifixion: Jesus didn’t die for “sins.”  He died for my sin.

            Next mark is faith unto salvation.  Jews were claiming to be “Israel.” V9.  Romans 2:28f, “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly.”  John 8:44,      “You are of your father the devil.” 

            Final mark is eternal life.  Deuteronomy 5:29, “O that they had such a heart in them that they would fear me and always keep my commandments, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever.”  Galatians 6:8 “He who sows to the spirit will of the spirit reap life everlasting.”

III.       Consider Overcoming Grace.  V10 “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I will also keep thee.”

            Grace in the hour of crisis.  Is it deliverance from trial?  Safekeeping in trial?  John Vandercook: trials, she, arthritic spine; she wanted to be missionary:  John says “140 nations come to them.”  Action 3-14-89 to cover insurance ($407/mo.)

            Grace in temptation.  2 Peter 3:17 “Beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.”  Ephesians 6:13 “Take the whole armor.”

            Grace on the day of judgment.  V12 “He shall go out thence no more.”  Philadelphia had earthquake problem.  Mexico City—escape.  Nicaragua—people went back and aftershock hit.  These are the people who bring stability.

Conclusion

            God is the temple, but faith is the pillars of that temple.  God’s name means we are his true children.  New Jerusalem means that we belong.  Christ’s new name.  “Now we see through a glass dimly.”

1 Gibbon, E. (1996). The history of the decline and fall of the Roman empire (D. Womersley, Ed.). Penguin Classics.