REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 3.8

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

Chapter Three

 

The Letter to the Church at Philadelphia

(Continued)

 

Outline

1.  The Addressee – To whom the letter is addressed (3:7)

2.  The Address – To where the letter is addressed (3:7)

3.  The Addresser – From whom the letter is addressed (3:7)

4.  The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities (3:8-10)

5. The Accusation – The presentation of bad qualities (None)

6. The Appeal – The application to change (3:11)

7. The Advice – The recommendation to change (3:12-13)

 

4. The Approval – The acclamation of good qualities

 

 

(Verse 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.

 

Of the seven churches Jesus addresses, the Philadelphia Church is the only one that held true to the Word of God. This is also indicative of the Philadelphia Church Period in history, representative of Protestantism. Despite any shortcomings, the Lord Jesus commends the Philadelphia Christians for their works.

 

I know thy works

Works

Again, Jesus knows what they have accomplished in His name, as opposed to the deficiency of other churches. A Christian believer is evidenced by one’s works. To distinguish between wolves in sheep's clothing and the true people of God, in His Sermon on the Mount Jesus warns:

Matthew 7:20 - Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

 

Matthew 7:20 - Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. (NLT)

 

Works are coequal with faith. James explains:

James 2:18 - Another person might say, "You have faith, but I do good things." Show me your faith apart from the good things you do. I will show you my faith by the good things I do. (GWT)

 

Having faith and knowledge of the truth is not enough. Jesus desires faith to be put into action, the outward sign of a sincere believer. 

1 Timothy 4:15 – Meditate (practice, be diligent, think) upon these things; give thyself wholly (devote, commit) to them; that thy profiting (progress) may appear to all.

 

Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it

Behold means to see (second person singular imperative), or that you be aware or perceive.

 

An Open Door

As compensation for their actions, Jesus has set before this assembly an open door, for continuing the Gospel on His behalf that no one can shut.

Some church doors remaining open are as follows:

1. A door of utterance (to proclaim the Word of God)

Colossians 4:3 – [Pray] also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ.

 

2. A door of opportunity for ministry

2 Corinthians 2:12 - Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's Gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord.

 

3. A door to study and knowledge of Scripture

Psalm 119:18 – Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy Law (instructions, teachings).

 

Deuteronomy 29:29 - The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the Words of this Law.

 

4. A door to sharing and witnessing

Acts 1:8 - But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

 

5. A door of faith and works to the Jews and Gentiles

Acts 14:27 - And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how He had opened the door of faith (exclusive to the Jew) unto the Gentiles.

Acts 3:16 - And His name through faith in His name hath made this man strong (healed, whole).

 

Romans 2:9-11 – [God will render] tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.

 

6. A door for preaching the Word

1 Corinthians 16:9 - For a great door and effectual (for effective work) is opened unto me (i.e., Paul).

 

7. A door to receiving the joy of the Lord

Isaiah 29:19 - The meek (humble) also shall increase (augment) their joy (experience) in the LORD, and the poor (needy) among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel (Jesus the Messiah).

 

An open door, and no man can shut

An interesting example is found in the Book of Acts when God’s emissary Peter was incarcerated, even the prison doors were opened by the Lord.

Acts 12:7-10 - And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him (Peter), and a light shined in the prison…and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him…follow me…When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord (by itself): and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

 

Acts 12:18 - Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir (a great commotion) among the soldiers, what was become of Peter.

 

 

(Verse 8b)

 

For thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My word, and hast not denied My name.

 

Listed are three commendations for the Philadelphians:

1. They had a little strength

2. They kept His Word

3. They did not deny His name

 

1. They had little strength

On the surface, this phrase may seem quite demeaning, however, after careful exegesis, the revealed message becomes a strong point for any church. The Lord is not insinuating weakness or a lack of inward spiritual strength, but rather the opposite.

 

Some translations and the Greek render the phrase little strength in this fashion:

a.  Little – Greek, μικρός μικρότερος mikros, mikroteros (Strong’s G3398); small [in size, quantity, number, or (figuratively) dignity]: - least.

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Matthew 11:11 - Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he (John the Baptist).

 

b.  Strength – Greek, δύναμις dunamis [from which we acquire our English word - dynamite, (Strong’s, G1411)], meaning power - specifically or figuratively miraculous mighty power.

 

The familiar expression, “Bigger isn’t always better,” may be a label to a church and its congregation. Often pastors and church leaders are caught up in numbers, buildings, programs, social and mass media presentations, and productions. However, in God's eyes, a simple small effective spirit-filled dynamic church (true to the Word of God) is more powerful in its witness for Jesus by the aforementioned principles stated.

 

The Gospel message is simple. When studying the Book of Acts, one can see how rapidly the Word spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond without the glitter, glamour, bells, and whistles. Such was the Philadelphia Church. And they were commended for their powerful witness.

 

In summary, the Apostle Paul explains:

2 Corinthians 12:9 - And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

 

2. They kept His Word

According to the Chicago Statement of Biblical Inerrancy, the Bible is the inspired, infallible, inerrant, and authoritative truth divinely revealed by God for the Body of Christ – the Church. The historic little lampstand of Philadelphia held true to this doctrine and did not waiver nor heed to human reasoning or philosophical apostasy (religious Existentialism). They were dedicated and obedient to the teachings of Scripture.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished (equipped) unto all good works.

 

3. They did not deny His name

The Word of God defines the name of Jesus Christ:

1.  In His Preeminence

Philippians 2:9 - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name (Jesus) which is above every name.

 

2.  In Power

After the Apostle Peter, being filled with the Holy Spirit, healed the lame beggar, the Sanhedrin asked:

Acts 4: 7- By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

 

Peter’s response was:

Acts 4: 10 - Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this man stand here before you whole.

 

3.  In Salvation

Acts 4:12 – Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

 

A warning, however, is given by Jesus:

Matthew 10:22 – And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

 

The punishment is thus recorded by Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:12 - If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us.

 

Summary

In summation, the Philadelphians were a devoted church, endured the name of Jesus Christ, and were not ashamed. They modeled what was written and received its benefits – truly a revived church! 

Joshua 1:8 - This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 

A continuation of his commendation will follow in our next discussion as the Lord, walking among the lampstands, makes promises based on Philadelphia’s performance and faithfulness.  

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  Why are works essential?

2.  Figuratively describe some open church doors.

3.  Are Jews included in Christ’s promises?

4.   Why?

5. Restate Peter’s prison experience.

6.  Name three commendations to the Philadelphia Church.

7.  How does your spiritual experience align with Philadelphia?

 

 

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