REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 3.11

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES

 

CHAPTER 3

 

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)

 

 

Continuing the study is the third part of the letter to the church at Philadelphia from the Lord. Its application holds many truths from God’s Word pertinent to our time and age.  

 

5. The Accusation - The presentation of bad qualities

Similar to the church at Smyrna, outstanding to the church of Philadelphia, there is not one word of rebuke.

 

6. The Appeal – The application to change

(Verse 11)

 

Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

 

OUR REMINDER

I come quickly  

Quickly means speedily, shortly, by surprise [Strong’s G5035]; like a thief in the night.

Subsequently, except for the third woe in Revelation 11:14, there are six times Jesus prophetically announces He will come quickly:                                                                                              

1.  To the church at Ephesus (cf. Rev. 2:5)

2.  To the church at Pergamum (cf. Rev. 2:16)

3.  To the church at Philadelphia (cf. Rev. 3:11)

 

In the last chapter, before the benediction, final reminders with blessings are also prophesied for those who are prepared, watchful, and on guard for His imminent return.

 

4.  Behold, I come quickly (cf. Rev. 22:7)

5.  Behold, I come quickly (cf. Rev. 22:12)

6.  Surely, I come quickly (cf. Rev. 22:20)

 

Question:

Why is this important?

Answer:

During the earthly ministry of Christ, whenever something was stated and then restated, there was an urgency or immediacy to what He was saying, and it would be of utmost importance. For instance: Verily, verily. By articulating I come quickly three times, in Chapter 22, means with absolute certainty. So, listen carefully.

 

OUR APPEAL

Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take (snatch, take away, deprive you of) thy crown (stephanos or victory crown).

 

The objective of various crowns is discussed in Revelation 2:10. Every believer is warned to be faithful to Jesus Christ, so our earned reward crown is secured. By way of comparison, although crude, some in the Bible had their position or rightful inheritances is taken away by God for rejection and giving to another. For example:

1.  Esau lost his birthright and blessing to Jacob (cf. Genesis 25:24; 27:36)

Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright...And he said, Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times: he (Jacob) took away my birthright; and, behold, now he hath taken away my blessing. And he (Esau) said [to his father Isaac], Hast thou not reserved a blessing for me?

 

2.   Saul lost his crown to David (cf. 1 Samuel 16:1, 13)

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons… Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.  

 

3. Judas lost his place to Matthias (cf. Acts 1:25-26)

That he (Justus or Matthias) may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place…And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

 

Even better comparisons are the honor awards given to someone in the sports arena or beauty pageants where a person is chosen for outstanding achievement in their field: Then, only to lose their title or trophy due to moral misconduct, or some criminal activity.

 

7. The Advice – The recommendation to change

 

(Verse 12 )

 

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new name.

(Verse 13)

He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

 

To the overcomer, Jesus promises:

1.  He will be a pillar in God’s heavenly Temple

2.  He will no longer need to exit the Temple

3.  He will have written on him God’s name

4.  He will have written on him the name of God’s city

a.  The New Jerusalem

b.  (Coming down from Heaven)

5.  He will have written on him His new name

 

1. A-Pillar in God’s Temple

Metaphorically, in the sanctuary of God’s heavenly Temple, the faithful Christian (the overcomer) will be placed there as a memorial pillar, never to be tarnished or removed.

By contrast, Peter, James, and John were considered pillars of authority in the early Church. Paul writes:

Galatians 2:9 - And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me,

 

The idea of monumental pillars was common in the ancient world and was usually placed in temples of their pagan gods.  At the base was a commemorative inscription:

1.   To honor pagan gods

2.   To honor emperors or generals

3.   To honor famous people

Christ uses this earthly imagery for His readers to comprehend what lies ahead in the spiritual world.

 

Note: In the Gospel, Jesus refers to Himself as the Temple when he reprimanded the Jews:

John 2:19 - Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

 

The church is the dwelling place of God and Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone. Also, note it is in the realm of the Spirit.

Ephesians 2:20 - And [the Church is] built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

 

2. And he shall go no more out

Why travel? Security will be for eternity. The phrase presumably indicates that there will be no need for fear, trials, tribulations, and temptations, for Christ will be our permanent refuge (Jehovah Machsi):

Psalm 91:9 - LORD, you are my refuge!" Because you chose the Most High as your dwelling place (ISV),

 

Next, Jesus will inscribe on us three things:

1.   His Father’s name

2.   His city’s name

3.   His new name

 

3. And I will write upon him the name of My God

As a tribute, Jesus will write the name of God the Father on a memorial plate at the pillar base of His faithful servants.

 

To Write

There are two words in the Greek language defining the verb to write:

1.  Epigraph, ōἐπιγράφω [Strong’s G1924], ascription, used in a figurative sense. For example:

Hebrews 8:10 - This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.

 

2.  Graphō, γράφω [Strong’s G1125], an imprint on a writing surface – The common use of the word in the book of Revelation.

 

The Greek name of God as it appears throughout Revelation is Theos, and its Hebrew equivalent means the Mighty One – the supreme deity over everyone and everything, i.e., the Father, or Father God. In Revelation 1:8, the Almighty equitably identifies Christ as an integral part of this Triune Godhead or Trinity. 

 

4. He will have written on him the name of God’s city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven

Presently, as a believer, we have a promised residence in the kingdom. On earth, we are only sojourners passing through. The name of the holy city will be known as the New Jerusalem (later detailed in chapter 21), and its name written on us will validate our citizenship.

 

5. He will have written on him a new name for Himself

The third and last thing Christ promises to write is His new name – A name no one knows yet.

Revelation 19:11-12 - And I (John) saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns; and He had a name written, that no man knew, but He Himself.

 

Instead of many names, the implication is that this new name will be the embodiment of every name He has ever been called – A revelation of Him that is only comprehendible in the heavenly realm. Assuredly, it will be a name above all names.

 

In addition, He will wipe away any vestige of our earthly habitation. Hence, we will be a new creature in a new creation with a changed name. Nothing in the past will be brought to remembrance.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

Revelation 21:5 - And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me (John), Write: for these words are true and faithful.

 

 

(Verse 13)

 

He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

 

In John’s Gospel, Jesus openly spoke the following to His listeners:

John 5:24 - 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.

 

However, upon reading the Philadelphian letter, the advice will be spoken by the Holy Spirit as He speaks to us today. Our job is to lend an ear. 

 

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  What is the significance of having a crown?

2.  How are crowns obtained?

3.  When and how will Jesus come?

4.  What do we know about the Temple?

5.   What is significant about our identities?

6.  Why will we be given a new name?

7. How does this section personally give you hope?

 

If this study was a blessing to you, make it a blessing to others.

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