The FaithFul of God

The FaithFul of God

ENJOYING THE APPROVAL OF JESUS
PHILADELPHIA: OPEN DOORS
Revelation 3: 7 – 13
In your Bible go to Revelation 3: 7-13 and in so doing, you open to the sixth of seven letters our Lord Jesus wrote to seven literal, historic churches. Each church was given a powerful message from Christ…..each letter closes (2:7,11,17, 29; 3:6, 13, 22) with an application to all “who have ears.”
Now, just before we plunge into this letter, ask yourself: Why did Christ not admonish this church for any error? This is the second church that is so blessed!
Philadelphia and Smyrna were uncondemned of the seven churches! The reason is:
 Smyrna was purified by obediently suffering persecution.
 Philadelphia was purified by obediently fulfilling God’s commission.
 One church was suffering; one church was serving.
 One church was standing alone; another was speaking out.
Are we standing up and speaking for Jesus?
“God’s directions are the only way to make it to happiness now and forever!!” Do you know how to escape the fires of Hell before it is too late for eternity. Do you know those directions? Are you following them? Are you sharing them with those who God has placed around you?
MEET THE ASSEMBLY
 ITS NAME: PHILADELPHIA which literally means “brotherly love”. Was thirty miles southeast of Sardis on the road to Laodicea. This is the seventh time this word Philadelphia is used in the New Testament.
 Hebrews 13:l– says let Philadelphia continue “brotherly love”, what a name.
What a church that must have been and if we let it continue, what a church for God’s glory!
 ITS CLIMATE: The most striking historical note on this city was the very frequent tremors and earthquakes that were characteristic of this area….This city had been destroyed by quakes several times. Fissures, ground cracks, volcanic activity in thermal pools, hot mud and regular tremors were common.
In fact, at times the population would go out of the city and live in tents to be safe from shocks, after shocks and bigger quakes…Thus, that explains Christ’s words in verse 12 “not go out anymore’. They were so used to leaving town in haste for safety…no more. Christ gives enduring safety.
So first off, this was an assembly with a great name, “brotherly love,” and a terrible location, earthquake alley. And a precious promise–live out my love in you and someday you’ll be safe with me forever!!!
MEET THE AUTHOR JESUS CHRIST
Revelation 3:7b
‘These things saith he:
 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:
FIRST, JESUS IS HOLY. Jesus Christ wants us to remember that He as God the son is “Holy”. Let me help you see this attribute HOLY.
 Leviticus 11:44 – I am holy says the Lord God.
 Isaiah 57:15 – God alone is holy says the Lord God. God alone is holy >Jesus Christ is our Holy God, the Son.
SECONDLY, JESUS IS THE TRUTH. “He who is true.”
 John 17:3 “This is life eternal that they may know thee. The only
true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” Here Jesus claims
oneness with the Father.
 Look at 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come
and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is
true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
John is particularly fond of that word true. Paul describes the end of the age as a time of lawlessness and deception. Jesus Christ is here declared to be holy and true. When lawlessness surrounds, he who is holy keeps them — when deception abounds there is one who is truth .
 Note this word in verse 7 is very specific. In Greek there are two words for true. Alethes – Alethinos
1. Alethes=True statement only as opposed to a false statement.
2. Hitler led Germany is true, but the truth is He led them in error.
That’s the idea of alethinos. The second Greek word used here in
verse 7, Jesus Christ is truth, not just true as opposed to false, but
genuine truth. When you confront Jesus Christ face to face, you
are face to face with truth itself. Not merely true statements….as
John MacArthur said “there is no substitute for God, and Jesus
Christ is the Genuine reality of God”.
THIRDLY, JESUS HAS THE KEY. Quickly note the last attribute of the author who has “the key of David.”
The only other place this statement is found in the Word of God is Isaiah 22.
Hezekiah is the King and the Assyrian armies are on their way. The city of Jerusalem is weak and its walls are broken down. The people have not even looked to their Maker and so God says He will find a faithful servant through whom He will work. One unfaithful steward Shebna is targeted as having an unrepentant heart and is judged. Then a faithful one Eliakim is entrusted with the royal authority of God.
Jesus is the faithful Son of God who has entrusted to Him:
John 5:24-29 “24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.
Revelation 1:18 “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,  Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
THE APPROVAL
Revelation 3:8-10
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,
and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast
 kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say
they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them
to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved
thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep
thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
 1. I am intimately acquainted with your deeds and they are pleasing.
 “I know your deeds”. This is HOLINESS!
2. I have given you great opportunities which you have taken and fulfilled. “I have put before you an open door which no one can shut.” This is DISCIPLE MAKING and EVANGELISM.
3. I know you are weak and leaning on my power. “Because you have a little power”. This is DEPENDENCE.
4. I know you are devoting yourself to my Word. “And have kept my Word.” This is OBEDIENCE.
5. I know you love me so much you magnify my name unashamedly. “And have not denied my name”. This is COMMITMENT.
So what did Jesus approve in their lives? It is all in verse 8:
 HOLINESS!
 DISCIPLE MAKING and EVANGELISM.
 DEPENDENCE.
 OBEDIENCE.
 COMMITMENT.
If that is what Jesus likes in someone, shouldn’t we be seeking those pursuits in place of others that crowd out Jesus ?
And what was the result? Listen to v. 9-10:
 V. 9 VICTORY OVER GOD’S ENEMIES (the gates of Hell will not withstand the attack). “Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which  say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them  to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
 V. 10 DELIVERANCE FROM THE TRIBULATION. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation,  which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon  the earth.
NO ADMONITION!
Like Smyrna there is no criticism of laxity or disobedience!
THE APPEAL
Revelation 3:11
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Just as critical and vital these words must have been two thousand years ago, so we need to listen today. Jesus gives three appeals:
1. BE WATCHFUL- NO QUITTING ALLOWED!: “Behold, I am coming quickly!”
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto  all them also that love his appearing.I have fought the good fight, I have  finished the race, I have kept the faith.
  This is a call to finish the race to the end, not walking the last lap!
2. BE DILIGENT- NO COASTING ALLOWED!: ” Hold fast what you have”.
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
3. BE CAUTIOUS – NO SELF INDULGING ALLOWED! : “that no one may take your crown.” How? By being disqualified! 1 Corinthians 9:26-27
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one
that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest
that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should
be a castaway.
This is a call to self discipline as a fruit of God’s Spirit no laxity and self indulgence.
God always counts how we finish not how we start!
THE ASSURANCE
TRUE BELIEVERS HAVE AN INESCAPABLE DESTINATION with these
wonderful promises: Revelation 3:12 “He who overcomes,
1. I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, SECURITY
2. and he shall go out no more. STABILITY
3. And I will write on him the name of My God ETERNITY
4. and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. PURITY
5. And I will write on him My new name. INTIMACY
 To the earthquake wary citizens of Philadelphia, weak and insecure at time –
PERMANENCE: WE ARE PILLARS, BECAUSE WE ARE SECURE:
John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  2 “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if [it were] not [so,] I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
 Lost your treasures on earth to disasters, lost your loves ones to death, lost your dreams to unexpected changes? I’ll give you the best. There is nothing better than – stability
 INTIMACY: WE ARE GIVEN A NAME, BECAUSE WE ARE A LOVE GIFT FROM THE FATHER TO THE SON!
John 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. (KJV)
 ADOPTED: Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. (KJV)
 CONFESSED: Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. What an unbelievable promise! Jesus with His nail scarred hands outstretched, welcomes us through the door of death, walks with us through the dark valley and welcomes us to Glory. But not as the fluttering host that slips away, no, He walks by us down the golden streets. He leads us up the broad main street of River of the water of life all around us the saints of all the ages look on in wonder as again Jesus leads one of His precious blood bought brothers and sisters, up to meet their Father in Heaven. And then, on the Throne in blazing light, with a river of fire flowing out before Him, and billions of angels standing around Him the Ancient of Days looks upon His Beloved Son walking toward Him. And there holding the hand of Jesus we hear Him call us by our new name, the one He gave us, our name. And standing there before the throne, God will hear Jesus present us by name as His beloved and
precious one.
 CLOTHED: Then what indescribable joy to hear our Father say, “Bring the best robe and put it on him.” Think of it, a robe of white, bright as the day, pure as the light! When the Lord Jesus was transfigured on the mount, something happened not only to His countenance, something happened also to His clothes. His raiment became white as the light. What a reward for faithfulness, to have a robe like that draped around the shoulders and to be invited to walk the shining ways of glory in light transfigured clothes. Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
WE NEED TO
LISTEN TO JESUS TODAY!
Are you listening right now? Revelation 3:13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Do you have ears? Are you saved and listening?
 A cold wave cooled the loving passion of the Ephesians: watch out, don’t catch cold.
 Tribulation and poverty tempted and tried to discourage the Smyrnians: watch out, don’t be discouraged.
 False doctrine and impurity tripped up some at Pergamos: watch out for imitations and immorality.
 False teachers and wickedness killed the Thyatirans: watch out for truth and purity not lies and deceit.
 Lifelessness and no pulse robbed the Sardians of the Name: watch out and be sure you are clothed with Christ.
Remember, born again believers overcome, listen and are crowned!
“Only one life to live and soon is past
Only what’s done for Christ will last!”
Hoping to make the time I have left count for the glory of God.
ENJOYING THE APPROVAL OF JESUS PHILADELPHIA: OPEN DOORS

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