A Struggling Church

The Church at Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13

Review

• Christ is examining 7 churches– Ephesus – Loyal but lacking love– Smyrna – Poor but rich– Pergamum – A compromising church– Thyatira – A weak strong church– Sardis – A dying church

• Now we look at the church in Philadelphia, again beginning with the historical setting

28 miles southeast from Sardis

On main east- west and north-south roads

Philadelphia, the city

• Called “The Gateway to the East” due to location on the east-west trade route

• Founded to promote Hellenism

• Main industry: vineyards, wineries

• Main temple: Dionysus (god of wine)

• Called “Little Athens” because it had so many temples, cults, and festivals

• Jews had a large, beautiful synagogue here

• City completely destroyed during the crusades

Philadelphia, the church

• No condemnation– Like the church at Smyrna– A church that is “on the right track”

Philadelphia, the church

• Rev 3:7– He who has the key of David

• A quote from Isa 22:22– There Eliakim was given the key of David

(symbolizing authority) as steward– But Eliakim was prophesied to eventually fail

under the weight of responsibility as people pinned their hopes on him

• Christ would not fail, He is able to carry out His responsibilities, no matter how many hope in Him

– His decisions are final

Philadelphia, the church

• Rev 3:8– “I know your deeds . . . you have a little power”

• Not insulting the church, just a fact– Small children have little strength, just a fact

• But what strength they had, they used– Kept God’s word, did not deny Christ

– “An open door”• Jesus sees the struggle and opens the door

• He is helping the church through problems they could not handle alone

– But only because the church was giving it all they had to give

Philadelphia, the church

• Rev 3:9, the struggle– Synagogue of Satan

• Identified as Jews who are not really Jews– True Jews would have accepted the Christ– These are those who refuse Jesus– Who worshipped in a large, beautiful synagogue

» But God calls it a Synagogue of Satan» They aren’t worshipping Him because they

rejected His Son

– One day (Judgment Day) they would acknowledge the truth (Phil 2:9-11)

Philadelphia, the church

• Rev 3:10, a temporal reward– Since they have done so well persevering,

Jesus promises future relief– “the hour of trial” – a time of intense

persecution• “keep from” or “bring through”

• Whatever trials are coming won’t be enough to break them (1 Cor 10:13)

Philadelphia, the church

• Rev 3:11, encouragement– “I am coming quickly”– You’re doing well, keep it up– Hold fast– You already have a crown waiting (2 Tim 4:6-8)

• Don’t let someone keep you from getting your crown

Philadelphia, the church

• Rev 3:12-13, the future reward– To be a pillar – a symbol of strength and

stability• For a church that is probably feeling weak and

shaky

– He will not go out anymore• No more struggles, already entered through the

door

– New names• Possession and citizenship (Eph 2:19-22)

Conclusion

• God doesn’t expect more from us than we have

• God does expect us to use ALL we have– Even if it is a little power

• God will help us through any obstacles– But only if we are giving it our all

• Don’t be bothered by those who insult or persecute us– They will one day acknowledge the truth

• Have you given God the best you have to give?