Revelation Chapter 3

“The Things Which Are”

By: Michael Fronczak

Bible Study Resource Center

564 Schaeffer Drive

Coldwater, Michigan 49036

mikefronczak@gmail.com

Copyright © 2005, 2007

CHRIST’S LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN SARDIS

In the panorama of church history, Sardis represents the Protestant church during the period between a.d. 1517 and approximately a.d. 1800. It began, I believe, when Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Theses onto the chapel door of the church at Wittenburg, Germany. It is an era which started with the Reformation and takes us into the beginning of the great missionary movement in the history of the church.

Sardis was the capital of the great kingdom of Lydia and one of the oldest and most important cities of Asia Minor. It was located inland and built on a small, elevated plateau which rises sharply above the Hermus Valley. On all sides but one the rock walls are smooth, nearly perpendicular and absolutely unscalable. The only access is on the southern side by a very steep and difficult path. One time when I was there, another preacher and I tried to make the climb. He went farther than I did, but we both gave up long before we reached the top.

As the civilization and the commerce grew more complex, the high plateau became too small, and a lower city was built chiefly on the west side of the original city. The old city was used as an acropolis. Actually this made it a double city, and it was called by the plural noun Sardeis or Sardis. The plain was well watered by the Pactolus River. It became the center of the carpet industry and was noted for its wealth. Coins were first minted there. Its last prince was the wealthy Croesus who was captured by Cyrus. He was considered the wealthiest man in the world, and everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. Sardis was ruled by the Persians, by Alexander, by Antiochus the Great, and finally by the Romans. It was destroyed by an earthquake during the reign of Tiberius.

In our day the ruins of the temple of Cybele and also of the temple of Apollo can still be seen. It is one of the few double temples that you will find in the world. Cybele was known as Diana in Ephesus, but when you get inland, she becomes a nature goddess. She was the goddess of the moon, and Apollo was the god of the sun—they were brother and sister. This was a very corrupt worship, much like the worship of Diana at Ephesus.

Extensive excavations have taken place at Sardis. They are rebuilding the gymnasium and also the synagogue. And they have dug up the Roman road that is there. The thing that thrilled me when I looked at that road was that I knew the apostle Paul had walked up and down it.

Revelation 3:1(Destination and Description)

Sardis

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Sardis = “Remnant” [?] A word of uncertain derivation. “Escaping Ones” or “Those who came out” a perfect description of the Reformed Churches.

Though filled with external works and activity, this church is known as the sleeping church. As Paul put it in 2 Timothy 3:5, they had a form of godliness, but, because of their failure to walk with the Lord, they were denying the real power of God through their hypocrisy. They were out of touch with elements of true spirituality. Some may have been only professing Christians engaged in religious activities that had never truly trusted in Jesus Christ. More than likely, however, they were carnal believers who had made a good start, but had failed to move on, to grow and experience true spirituality. They were active, engaged in works, but temporally dead, out of fellowship with Christ (Eph. 5:14-18).

(Eph. 5:14-18) 14Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

[seven Spirits of God] The Old Testament idiom of the Holy Spirit, the sevenfold spirit. Most denominations today are very uncomfortable with the Holy Spirit—it is one cause of division within the church.

(Isaiah 11:2) And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

1.The Spirit of the Lord (Isaiah 61:1; Matthew 3:16; John 3:34; Acts 10:38)

2.The Spirit of wisdom (1 Cor. 12:8)

3.The Spirit of understanding

4.The Spirit of counsel

5.The Spirit of might

6.The Spirit of knowledge (1 Cor. 12:8)

7.The Spirit of the fear of the Lord

[seven stars] The seven angels of the seven churches (Rev 1:20)

[name] This word appears four times in this letter. The Greek is onoma (Gr3686) = labeling, being covered by a name = denomi-nationalism? The only word of approval is in actuality a word of rebuke as Christ declared that they had a reputation for being alive and apparently were regarded by their contemporaries as an effective church.

The church dividing into so many denominations.

The Reformation was a heroic period in church history. “Salvation by faith, not works” Hab 2:4. But its failures persist unto this day. The allegorization of Scripture (especially those concerning Christ’s rule in the Millennium) is at the top of the list. The Reformation did not go far enough. The Millennium and the Rapture of the Church are not accepted literally in most mainline denominational churches today.

[art dead] You see right away there is no commendation, nothing good said about the church. Christ quickly stripped away their reputation of being alive by declaring, you are dead. Like the Pharisees, their outer appearance was a facade hiding their lack of life (cf. Matt. 23:27-28). Christ added, I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of My God. They were falling far short of fulfilling their obligations as believers.

Matt. 23:27-28) 27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

In Scripture, death stands for the concept of separation as well as the absence of life.

· For the unbeliever, death means without spiritual life, unregenerate, and without God—separated from relationship with God.

· But for the believer, death, like sleep, is sometimes used as a symbol for carnality, for being out of fellowship with God, separated from Christ as the source of the abundant life (Eph. 5:14).

Some could have been only professing believers, and so they were spiritually dead, just professing believers involved in an active church. But it may not the emphasis here. He was talking to true believers who were spiritually carnal and working from the energy of their own resources rather than from His (the Word and the Holy Spirit).

This is a warning. A church is in danger of death:

· When it begins to worship its own past or history, its reputation or name, or the names in the church.

· When it is more concerned with forms than with function and life.

· When it is more concerned with numbers and noses, than with the spiritual quality of life it is producing in its people.

· When it is more involved with management than with ministry or with the physical over the spiritual.

This illustrates the problem of institutionalism in the church, but today, we also have a new scenario that can be a part of this picture, the megachurch which has become a part of American jargon with megabucks, megatrends, and the megamall. Our megamalls have been styled as “cathedrals of consumption” because they are designed to feed the consumer appetites of our lifestyle today. But if we are not careful, churches can become “cathedrals of consumption” as well.

Verse 1 Summary:

· We see that they had a name, a reputation—what men thought.

· We see they were alive, that is, they were an active church full of programs and church activity—what men see.

· But, regardless, they were dead, without true spiritual vitality—what the Lord saw and knew.

The point is they had a reputation, they were known far and wide, and they were active, filled with activity, action, and programs, just like a great deal of the church today all across America. By the world’s standards they were successful and they were probably proud of their church, but our Lord says not so, “you are dead.”

One of two without commendation, Laodicea being the other.

Their earlier enthusiasm—and blessings—passed away and was replaced with cold formalism.

(Mt 7:21-23) 21Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Four things about Sardis:

1.Works (Rev. 3:1)

2.Having a name or reputation of being a live church, but "art dead" (Rev. 3:1)

3.Works not perfect before God (Rev. 3:2)

4.Few godly members (Rev. 3:4)

The people of Sardis were spiritually apathetic, as a result of their luxurious, loose way of life. You have a reputation for being alive, but in fact you are dead! Today this statement about hypocrites describes people (Jews, Christians, other) who support charitable works but have no spiritual connection with the living God (Isaiah 64:5(6)); people who feel close to God or have correct theological doctrine but produce no evangelistic or social action fruit (Ya 2:17); people whose lack of faith in God and ignorance or rejection of Yeshua produce dead religious formalism, social clubbiness, fortress mentality defensiveness, and/or pride in self-accomplishment; and people who try to fill their spiritual vacuum with sensual gratification.

Victorinus of Petovium: “Christians in name only are in danger of death.”

This fifth class, group or manner of sinner refers to those persons who are negligent and behave in a manner other than what they ought in the world, who are vacuous in works and who are only Christian in name. And therefore he exhorts them so that in some way they might reverse themselves from this dangerous negligence and be saved. “Strengthen,” he says, “that which is in danger of death. I have not found your work perfect before my God.” For it is not sufficient tthat a tree live but yet not give fruit. Neither is it sufficient that one be called a Christian, confess himself to be a Christian, and yet not do the works of a Christian. (Commentary on the Apocalypse 3.1).

Revelation 3:2

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

[Be watchful] Be vigilant. (10 virgins of Mt 25?)

Watchfulness: Rom 13:11; 1 Cor 16:13. We are watchful of:

• The wiles of the devil (1 Pet 5:8)

• Temptation (Mt 26:41)

• His Coming (Mt 24:42, 43; Mk 13:37; 1 Thess 5:6)

• False Teachers (Acts 20:29-31). Ephesus kept watch for them.

For failing to keep adequate watch the City of Sardis was conquered twice in its history by Cyrus, in 549 BC and by Antiochus the Great in 218 BC.

[strengthen] is an aorist imperative of the verb sterizo (Gr4741) which means “to strengthen, make stable, firm.” The aspect of the verb (an aorist imperative in the Greek) carries the idea of urgency like, do it now, before it is too late.qq1`

[things which remain] = Grace (cf. Ishmael vs. Isaac).

The great truths of the Reformation are being lost: the justification by faith alone, the inerrant Word of God, the depravity of man, etc.

[works] Their works are inadequate. Nothing good is said.

[perfect] “...works not complete”: Christ is looking for something from us.

Our love, our loyalty, our service. Without Him, we can’t. Without us, He won’t.

The first verb is a PERFECT ACTIVE INDICATIVE. They may have looked spiritual (cf. Isa. 29:13), but they were much like the religious people mentioned in Matt. 7:21–23 and Col. 2:16–23.

The term “completed” is a PERFECT PASSIVE PARTICIPLE meaning “mature, perfect, equipped for the assigned task.” They had not allowed God to complete what faith had started (cf. Phil. 1:6).

Amos 8:11-12 11Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: 12And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Five commands to Sardis:

1.Be watchful (Rev. 3:2)

2.Strengthen the things that remain

3.Remember your teaching (Rev. 3:3)

4.Hold fast (Rev. 3:3; note, Hebrews 3:6)

5.Repent (Rev. 3:3,19; cp. Rev. 2:5,16,21,22)

Revelation 3:3 (Exhortation)

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.

This relates to the gospel which they heard and continued to receive. Christianity is not a decision only, but a lifestyle relationship. It involves believing a message and receiving a person. It results in a changed and changing life of repentance

The Sardis congregation was severely backslidden; Yeshua prescribes the only possible cure: spiritual revival. I am coming like a thief, that is, suddenly and unexpectedly. The way to be prepared for it is to be ready and alert always, that is, always leading a godly life. Yeshua gives the same warning at 16:15; compare his remarks at Mt 24:42–50 and Lk 12:39–46; also 1 Th 5:2–8 and 2 Ke 3:8–13, which speak of the Day of the Lord itself coming like a thief.

[repent] Aorist imperative; a definite action, a decisive moment.

[hold fast] keep: Present imperative; continuous action.

Beware a spasmodic Christianity.

[...thou shalt not know...] Sardis (historically as well as spiritually didn’t know when the enemy was coming. But what of those who do watch?

“Looking for that blessed hope”: (Titus 2:13).

Sardis was not like the “Children of the Day” of 1 Thess 5. (Church is not appointed to wrath). True believer will not be caught by surprise.

(1 Thess 5:1-5) 1But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

He who walks hand-in-hand with Christ cannot be taken unawares by the Coming of Christ (cf., Enoch, Gen 5:22, 24). This gives a promise of the second coming to Sardis.

If you are post tribulation, Jesus can’t come for at least seven years. Therefore, you loose the doctrine of imminence.

[I will come] Only the last four church letters refer to 2nd coming. The first three have no mention of the second coming.

[thief] See Matt 24:43; Luke 12:39; 1 Thes 5:2; 2 Pet 3:10

[shalt not watch] The failure to watch seems to be the reason that they will not know what hour He will come, vs. 2 notes.

There are some clues as to what the exact sin(s) of Sardis were. We see reference to "how thou hast received and heard," and to "hold fast and repent," as well as criticism of their "works," all of which indicate a problem with regard for keeping Torah. The following verses support this idea. (Rev 1:3, reading, hearing, and keeping)

Revelation 3:4

Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

[names] again...It is always a remnant (cf. Noah). “Little flock” (Lk 12:32). Jesus’ words emphasize that He knows His own “by name”

(John 10:3) To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. (Rapture?)

[garments] Used in many places as an idiom for our spiritual condition. Story of the wedding garment in Matthew 22.

(Isa 64:6) But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

(Isa 30:22) Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.

God, through the prophet Hosea, warned that a rejection of Torah would result in a forfeiture of the right to be a priest for Him:

Hosea 4:6 - My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me: Because you have forgotten the law of your God.

Revelation 3:5(Promise to the Overcomer)

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Soiled their clothes … clothed in white. Throughout the Bible white, clean clothes refer to the righteous deeds God gives his people to do so that they may exercise and express their faith (19:8, Isaiah 61:10, Ep 2:10); also see below at 3:18; 4:4; 6:11; 7:9, 13–14; 16:15; 19:14. Contrast the outwardly righteous works which people without faith organize for themselves to do; these God calls “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:5(6), cited above, v. 1).

[clothed in white raiment] Garments (James 1:27). (Covered with light: Ps 104:2.)

“Walking with Christ in white” is a reward for faithfulness. Note that the reason given in 3:4 is stated in the words, “for (the causal use of hoti, “because”) they are worthy.” The worthiness here is linked to the fact that these were believers “who have not defiled their garments.” This shows us that walking with Him in white is a reward for personal righteousness or deeds of righteousness. Note also how this fits with Revelation 19:8. Walking in white must refer to the white garment of fine linen mentioned in Revelation 19:8. There we are told the bride of Christ (the church) is “… to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean.” This is then declared to be the righteous acts of the saints, a reference to deeds or acts of righteousness produced in the life of the believer by the Holy Spirit because only these deeds will stand the test of the Judgment (Bema) Seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:13).

No person is ever worthy of salvation righteousness. Justification, or salvation righteousness, is a gift given through faith in the finished work of Christ. It is based on His worthiness and record, not ours (Eph. 2:8-9; Tit. 3:4-7), but the white garment mentioned in 3:5 is related to the garment of 3:4 and is given as a reward for a worthy walk.

[Book of Life] A register of the citizens of heaven.

[I will confess] Christ confesses them here and in Matthew 10:32-33 and Luke 12:8-9.

(Matt. 10:32-33) 32Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

There are only two books of genealogies:

• Generations of Adam (Gen 5:1) one unto death First Adam

• Generations of Jesus Christ (Mt 1:1) one unto life Last Adam

Psalmist expresses the hope that the wicked will be blotted out of the book of the living: Ps 69:28 also Dan 12:1. Unknown if same book.

(Psa. 69:28) Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

(Dan. 12:1) And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

Some believe that the book of life is a list of those for whom Christ died (cf. Rev 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27; 22:19 (7 total).

Fruchtebaum: The Book of Life contains the names of every person who was ever born according to Psalm 139:16. Those who believe on the Messiah have their names retained in the Book of Life according to Rev 3:5. However in Psalm 69:28, the unsaved have their names blotted out of the Book of Life.

(Psa. 139:16) Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

(Psa. 69:28) Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

[and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life] Here Christ promises not to blot the name out of the book of life of any man who will obey the commands of Rev. 3:2-3. If some refused to obey these commands, would their names not be blotted out? If we say such is impossible, we accuse God of using vain threats on His people. He promised Moses, "Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of my book" (Exodus 32:32-33). The psalmist by the Holy Spirit prayed that God would blot out the names of Judas and all like him (Psalm 69:25-28 with Acts 1:20). In Rev. 22:18-19 Christ again threatens to take the names of people out of the Book of Life if they take anything away from the words of the book of this prophecy.

(Ex. 32:31-33) 31And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. 32Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. 33And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

(Psa. 69:25-28) 25Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents. 26For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded. 27Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. 28Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

(Acts 1:16-20) 16Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17For he was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. 19And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. 20For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishopric let another take.

This verse is often construed as a threat that improper behavior is likely to result in the removal of one’s name from the Lamb’s Book of Life. Actually, it may be the very opposite is the case, as the emphatic double negative in Greek affirms (lit. “I will no not blot out”). The verse is a promise, guaranteeing that once a man is in the category of those who have overcome (i.e., a true believer, cf. 2:7, note), under no circumstances can his name be erased from the Lamb’s Book.

(John 6:27) Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

(John 6:37-39) 37All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

(John 10:28-29) 28And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

(John 17:12) While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Some have indicated that there is no explicit statement here that anybody will have his name blotted out, but rather the promise that his name will not be blotted out because of his faith in Christ. The implication, however, is that such is a possibility. On the basis of this some have considered the book of life not as the roll of those who are saved but rather a list of those for whom Christ died, that is, all humanity who have possessed physical life. As they come to maturity and are faced with the responsibility of accepting or rejecting Christ, their names are blotted out if they fail to receive Jesus Christ as Saviour; whereas those who do accept Christ as Saviour are confirmed in their position in the book of life, and their names are confessed before the Father and the heavenly angels.

The statement that their names will not be erased from the book of life presents a problem to some. But a person who is truly born again remains regenerate, as John said elsewhere (John 5:24; 6:35-37, 39; 10:28-29). While this passage may imply that a name could be erased from the book of life, actually it only gives a positive affirmation that their names will not be erased (cf. Walvoord, Revelation. pp. 82, 338). Six times John referred to the book of life (Rev. 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27).

[confess his name] an allusion to the promise Jesus made to those who would faithfully confess him before men (Matt 10:32).

Four promises to the overcomer:

1.Walk with Me in white (Rev. 3:4)

2.Be clothed in white raiment (Rev. 3:5; cp. Rev. 3:18; Rev. 4:4; Rev. 6:11; Rev. 7:9,13; Rev. 15:6; Rev. 19:8,14)

3.I will not blot his name out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5; cp. Rev. 22:18-19; Exodus 32:32-33; Psalm 69:28)

4.I will confess his name before My Father and the angels (Rev. 3:5)

Revelation 3:6(Closure)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

“He...ear”: Closes the letter (the last four letters end this way). The phrase is on the inside of the first three letters and on the outside of the last four letters.

Sardis was untroubled by any heresy. (Orthodoxy can be an excuse for laziness.)

Ultimate fragmentation and denominationalism replaced apostolic teaching and practices. Sardis was untroubled by any attack from the outside. It had ceased to matter (2 Tim 3:5).

A truly vital church will always be under attack. If the world finds no fault in it, it is a dead church.

Each of the Seven Churches had a misperception of themselves.

CHRIST’S LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA

The church in Philadelphia represents what I call the revived church, dating from approximately the beginning of the nineteenth century to the Rapture. This is the church that has turned back to the Word of God. Today in Protestantism and also in the Roman Catholic Church, there are multitudes of people who are turning to the Word of God. Mail which I receive from all over the world indicates that there are people wanting to hear the Word of God and who are hungry for it. This period is pictured in the church of Philadelphia.

I have visited the city of Philadelphia, and it is today a rather prosperous little Turkish town. It is located in a very beautiful valley that is inland a great distance, about 125–150 miles from the coast. The valley is a very wide one which runs north and south, and the Cogamis River of that valley is a tributary of the Hermus River. The city was built on four or five hills in a picturesque setting. Today it is spread out a great deal, and it is a typical Turkish town.

Philadelphia is in an area that is subject to earthquakes. The great population that was in that area left primarily because of earthquakes and, of course, because of warfare. When Tamerlane and the other great pagan leaders came out of the East, it was a time when all those who were left were slaughtered. Therefore, today no descendants of the original population are there. However, this city has had continuous habitation from its very beginning.

This city was like a Greek island out in Lydia, out in the Anatolian country, an area which the Greeks considered to be heathen and pagan—the Greek word for it was barbarian. In fact, anyone who was not a Greek was considered a barbarian in those days. The Lydian language was spoken there at first, but by the time of the apostles, the Greek language had taken over, and it was a typical Greek colony. This was the outpost of Greek culture in a truly Asiatic and Anatolian atmosphere. It was called a “little Athens” because of the fact that it was in this area and yet was truly Greek.

It was a fortress city used to waylay the enemy who would come in to destroy the greater cities like Ephesus and Smyrna and Pergamum—those were the three great cities. These other cities were largely fortress cities where garrisons were stationed either to stop the enemy or delay him as he marched toward the western coast.

Philadelphia is in a country where erosion is at work; the soil is quite alluvial, but it is very fertile soil. Beautiful laurel trees, many flowers—I noticed that they are growing just about everything that is imaginable. It was particularly celebrated for its excellent wine. Great vineyards covered the surrounding hills, and the head of Bacchus was imprinted on their coins.

The city did not get its name, as so many seem to think, from the Bible. Actually, the city got its name because of the love that Attalus II had for his brother Eumenes who was king of Pergamum. Attalus had a great love and loyalty for his brother, and because of that it is called “the city of brotherly love.”

In a.d. 17 a great earthquake struck this city and totally destroyed it. The same earthquake totally destroyed Sardis and many other Lydian cities throughout that area. Tiberius, the emperor at that time, allocated a vast sum of money for the rebuilding of these cities, and they were then restored.

This is the one church besides Smyrna for which our Lord had no word of condemnation. Why? Because it had turned to the Word of God. It is interesting concerning the two churches which He did not condemn that the places are still in existence, although the churches have disappeared. However, in Philadelphia there is something quite interesting about which I would like to tell you. First of all, there are the remains of a Byzantine church, which reveals that Christianity was active there up until the twelfth or thirteenth century. The people who are caretakers of that area today must be Christians. Although I could not converse with them, they very graciously brought me a pitcher of water and a dipper on the very warm day I was there. The man and his wife who brought it were all smiles. I couldn’t talk to them, and they couldn’t talk to me, but I felt that we did communicate something of Christian love.

The remains of that Byzantine church are still there, but that is not the pillar that is mentioned in verse 12, although many believe that it is, and that is where the guides take the tours. However, before my first trip there, I had seen a picture of a big amphitheater in Adam’s Biblical Backgrounds; so I told my guide that I wanted to go up there on the side of the hill. The amphitheater was no longer there, but there was a Turkish coffee shop where my guide talked to a man. He said that there had been an amphitheater but it was totally destroyed except for one pillar. I have a picture of that pillar which is hidden away under the trees. Why did the Turkish government get rid of that amphitheater? I’ll tell you why: The Seljuk Turks brutally killed the Christians in Philadelphia, and they wanted to get rid of every vestige of that old civilization. Today they would rather that you and I forget about it.

Philadelphia is the place where Christian and Saracen fought during the Crusades, and in 1922 Turkey and Greece fought in Philadelphia. There are apparently a few Christians there today, as I have suggested, but they are under cover because they would be severely persecuted.

The church of Philadelphia continued into the thirteenth century. This church was in a very strategic area to be a missionary church, and that is actually what it was. I have labeled it the revived church because it returned to the Word of God and began to teach the Word of God.

This represents something that I think we see in Protestantism today. It began back in the last century and has gained since then, so that Bible teaching is not something that is new, by any means, but it has certainly become rather popular today. We feel very definitely that our Bible-teaching radio program has come in on the crest of a wave of interest in the Word of God.

Revelation 3:7(Destination and Description)

Philadelphia And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

The youngest of the cities, now known as Alashehir, was built in the area acquired by Pergamos in 189 B.C. King Eumenes II, King of Pergamos, had a younger brother, Attalus II, who was his successor, and won the cognomen Philadelphus “One who loves his brother”, after which the city was named, for his loyalty and affection for Eumenes. Philadelphian coins show the two brothers as completely alike in height, features, and dress.

Of the seven cities Philadelphia was the one founded most recently. Its congregation was in a healthy condition, for Yeshua only praised it.

HaKadosh means “the Holy One.” At 6:10 the term designates God the Father. Moreover, in the Talmud, the Prayerbook and other Jewish writings, it is common to refer to God as “HaKadosh, barukh hu” (“the Holy One, blessed be he”). But here (and possibly at 1 Yn 2:20) this title refers to Yeshua. (So there is no need for a “blessed be he,” because here the Holy One is talking about himself.) Thus Yeshua is to be identified with God, yet he is not the Father (see 1:17).

Yeshua is also the True One, the one who is faithful and trustworthy.

At Isaiah 22:20–22, Elyakim was given “the key of the house of David,” that is, full authority to act on behalf of King Hezekiah in his household. Likewise Yeshua, “the Root and Offspring of David” (5:5, 22:16), has full authority (Mt 28:18) to act on behalf of God, our King. Yeshua does not permit others to usurp this authority (see v. 9), yet he voluntarily shares “the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven” with those who commit themselves to him (Mt 16:19). Two others named Elyakim appear in the genealogies of Yeshua (Mt 1:13, Lk 3:30). For other “keys” Yeshua has in his possession see 1:18&N.

[Philadelphia] = Name: phile, friendship, affection; delphus, city; => City of friendship.

Today: Allah Shehu, “city of God”; or Alashehir, “red city.” [To be renamed, ultimately, in this letter: “the name of My God”] “City of Love” “Brotherly Love” which occurs seven times in the Bible (Rom. 12:10; 1 Thes. 4:9; Heb. 13:1; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 Peter 1:7 [twice]; Rev. 3:7).

[he that is holy] (Also, Rev 6:10): Lev 11:44; 21:8; Isa 57:15.

“He who is holy” asserts the Savior’s deity as the absolutely righteous One, the One totally set apart from sin. In Isaiah 40:25, Yahweh calls Himself “The Holy One.” It is a title of deity and contrasts Him with the claims of Emperor worship.

Song of the Seraphim, Isa 6:3 (3X = Trinity?).

He was Holy at His birth (Luke 1:35);

Holy at His death (Acts 2:27);

Holy in His present priestly office (Heb 7:25).

[true] Alethinos, real, genuine; vs. alethes, truth in contrast to falsehood (Jn 17:3; 1 Jn 5:20). Prophecy of Zecharias (Lk 1:75). His kingship rests upon the bedrock of His character (Ps 2; 24, etc.)

This places Him in contrast to all the deceptions of the world and the false and futile answers it offers to man. God’s answer for man is Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6).

This is the first of the letters not to take its introductory description from features found in chapter one.

[key of David] Same words of Eliakim (when Shebna, Hezekiah’s treasurer was deposed and superseded): Isa 22:22 (19-24).

(Isa 22:21-23) 21And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. 24And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. 25In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.

Full administrative authority. Eliakim carried a heavy key on a loop slung over his shoulder, indicating his power to grant or deny others an audience with the king. Hence, access, He alone can admit to the presence of God.

Kingdom term: Isa 9:6,7; Lk 1:32-33; Mt 28:18; Rev 1:18.

Janus, god of doors and hinges (also called Patulcius and Chusius, “opener and closer”). Later assumed by the Pope; and cardinals (from cardo, a hinge).

In Revelation 1:18 the keys speak of Christ’s power to give salvation and victory over death and the unseen Satanic world which tenaciously tries to hold men under the dominion of sin and death (Heb. 2:14). Here, however, the key speaks of (1) His royal claims as Lord and Head of David’s house. It anticipates and looks to His rule and kingdom on earth. (2) But it also reminds us of His royal authority or sovereignty even now over heaven and earth (Matt. 28:19).

Messianic term: Isa 9:6,7; Lk 1:32-33; Mt 28:18; Rev 1:18. The “nail” is messianic.

The cross is in v.25.

[he that openeth] “The One opening…” (3:7b) In the final analysis it is always our Lord who opens all true doors of ministry to us. This church had a little strength, i.e., they were small in numbers by man’s standards as man counts success, but this must never disturb or discourage us.

Revelation 3:8Commendations (Seven)

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.

Seven commendations “[1] I know thy works: behold, [2] I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: [3] for thou hast a little strength, [4] and hast kept my word, [5] and hast not denied my name.”

“Open doors”: 1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12; Col 4:3.

Door(s) of deliverance: “I Am the Door,” John 10:7, 9;

Noah’s Ark (Gen 7:16) was closed by God, seven days before the flood. Enoch was raptured before the flood, was pre flood, Noah and family protected through the flood.

The door at the wedding (Mt 25:1-10).

(Matt. 25:1-10 1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

The statements of commendation flow out of the truth of Christ as the One who opens in verse 7. They were using the opportunities (the open doors) the Lord had given them as the door opener. This is implied in verse 8a. Christ knew their deeds, and so He put before them an open door of ministry. We should note that “put” of the NASB, or “set” of the KJV, or “placed” of the NIV is the perfect tense of Greek dido„mi which literally means, “I give.” It is used according to context in the sense of “bestow, grant, supply, deliver, commit, and entrust.” While the idea here is clearly that of placing before the Philadelphian believers open doors of ministry, it should be noted that this word is used of entrusting something to someone for some type of stewardship: money for investment purposes (Matt. 25:14-15), the keys of the kingdom (Matt. 16:19), and someone’s care (John 6:37, 39; 17:6, 9, 12, 24; Heb. 2:13). See also Luke 19:23 where dido„mi is used of putting money in the bank to gain interest. There are two points to ponder here. First, open doors of opportunity—no matter how hard we think we have worked to open the doors—are gifts from the Savior because without Him, they would not open. Second, open doors are trusts given to us for faithful stewardship just as with our spiritual gifts or our finances. If we will be faithful to live in the fullness of His life, He will bring opportunities of service and ministry.

[for thou hast a little strength] They were small in number by comparison to the religious and idolatrous people of the city, but, small as they were, they did have power, spiritual capacity because they were operating from the source of Christ’s life and authority.

[...kept my word] In a day when there was a denial of the inspiration of the Scriptures, this church believed the Bible to be the authoritative, inspired Word of God. They were measured by faith, not works (Josh 1:8). This was the secret to their lives and ministry (Heb. 4:12). Keeping God’s Word and keeping our hearts dependent on and close to Him go hand in hand (Prov. 4:20-23). “Kept” is the Greek te„reo„, “to watch over, guard, keep, preserve” and “give heed to, pay attention to, observe” especially of the Law, or the Word, or teaching, etc. Undoubtedly, both ideas are involved. They were committed to Christ’s Word or the Word about the Savior to preserve it from false ideas and adulterations, but they were also committed to observing its truth in their lives.

[...and not denied my name] In a day when the deity of Christ is blatantly denied by seminary and pulpit, they proclaimed the God-man and His substitutionary death for sinners. He will be in no man’s debt and loyalty has its sure reward. This speaks of their spiritual fidelity and separation from the world. Remember, one may confess the Lord with his mouth and yet, in some way, deny Him with a life that is inconsistent with the truth of Scripture or the character of Christ.

Yashanet.com: Verses 8 through 11 flow together, with the subject of God's Torah at the center, and verse 11 being the reward for faithfulness to Torah.

In contrast to the congregation at Sardis (above), the assembly at Philadelphia has kept Yeshua's Torah, which is directly linked to His name. The concept of Yeshua's "name" goes beyond his written/spoken name (though this too is important). In Hebrew writings, the idea of speaking or doing something, "in someone's name," refers to acting in their authority. For example, the phrase "in the name of ...," appears over 4000 times in the Talmud, and over 1300 times in Midrash Rabbah, in most cases used when one rabbi speaks "in the name of" (with the authority of), another, more senior rabbi.

Yeshua's authority was given to Him by the Father in heaven. When we pray or do anything "in His Name," we do so by His authority, which He has given His followers through the Torah and Ruach haKodesh.

John 17:1-2 - These words spake Yeshua, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.

John 5:22-30 - For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. 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. 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. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 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. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

Hebrews 1:1-4 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high: Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Revelation 3:9

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.

[synagogue] The synagogue refers to the place of Jewish worship and study.

[of Satan] is a genitive of possession, Satan’s synagogue, that which belongs to him. Satan was its head and the power behind the scenes. More crime, evil and persecution have been perpetrated in the name of religion and by the religious, self-righteous type than almost any other one source of evil. Religion is Satan’s trump card, and one of his primary weapons that he uses to both deceive and hurt mankind. This is what we have here. Religious persecution by religious Jews operating under Satan’s control whether they realized it or not. The Lord’s word to the religious leaders in John 8:41-47 is fitting here. We see this in recent history with Islam, Allah is satan.

[which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie]

False Jews = Legalizers, wanted to go back to the Law of Moses.

Now it may be Reconstructionists? Legalists? (same as Rev 2:9).

They will be compelled to worship (Phil 2:10,11).

You need to understand the mission of Israel in prophecy to understand prophecy. The origin, mission and destiny are different for Israel and the church. - Read Romans 9, 10, and 11 to understand more about Israel, they have not been put aside.

They were literal Jews, physical descendants of David and Abraham, but in claiming to be Jews they were also claiming to be God’s people, religious guides to the truth, and the means and access to God. The apostle Paul comments on what constitutes a true child of Abraham in Romans 9:6-8. There he makes the clear distinction between racial Israel and regenerate Israel.

(Rom. 9:6-8) 6Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

They were not children of God regardless of their claims and religiosity. They had rejected God’s Son and revelation of God, they were of their father the Devil, as Christ plainly told them. To be a true Jew in the biblical sense one had to have the hope and faith of Abraham. Abraham was the possessor of faith in the promises of God to him and faith in the coming Messiah.

Vengeance: Isa 61:2 (vs. Luke 4:18-20); 2 Thess 1:7-8.

Ten predictions—four fulfilled; six future:

1.I will expose all liars (Rev. 3:9).

2.I will humble them before you.

3.I will confirm My love of you to them.

4.I will keep you from persecution (Rev. 3:10).

5.I will come quickly (Rev. 3:11; Rev. 1:7; Rev. 19:11).

6.I will make you a pillar in the temple of My God (Rev. 3:12; cp. Galatians 2:9).

7.You will never go out, but will always have a safe dwelling place (Rev. 3:12).

8.I will give you God's name (Rev. 3:12).

9.I will give you the name of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 3:12; Rev. 21:2,9-10).

10.I will give you My new name (Rev. 3:12).

I will cause them to come and prostrate themselves at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. In his remarks on this phrase the non-Jewish commentator George Eldon Ladd notes verses from the Tanakh in which it is prophesied that the pagan nations of the world will come and bow before Israel (Isaiah 45:14, 49:23, 60:14; Ezekiel 36:23, 37:28), and then writes,

“These and many other passages look forward to a day of the triumph of Israel over the nations; sometimes it is expressed in terms of the humiliation of the gentiles before Israel, sometimes in the conversion of the gentiles to the faith of Israel.” (Revelation, Eerdmans, 1972, pp. 60–61)

Andrew of Caesarea; “Christ will not allow the faithful to be tempted beyond endurance.” By the “hour of trial” he speaks either of the persecution against the Christians which occurred almost immediately by those who ruled Rome at the time, from which he promised that the church would be free, or he speaks of the universal coming of the antichrist against the faithful at the end of time. From this coming he pledges to free those who are zealous, for they will beforehand be seized upward by a departure from there, lest they be tempted beyond what they are able [to endure]. (Commentary on the Apocalypse 3.10-11)

Yashanet.com: The Greek term for "synagogue" is used in this verse instead of the term ekklesia (called out ones), which is more often found in the text.

Two possible reasons for this are:

1. "Synagogue" is especially associated with the teachings of Torah, not only the status of "being called out" (ekklesia) by God.

2. The term "synagogue" is highly associated with Jews and their Torah, whereas "ekklesia" may include gentiles from the pagan world as well. This helps draw a direct contrast to the "true" Jews referred to in the same verse.

Note that Yeshua's standard for "valid faith" is being a true Jew, which is someone who keeps a proper view and practice of Torah in their life. John made clear in his epistle what the relationship was between true faith and God's Torah:

1 John 2:3-5 - And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments [Torah]. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments [Torah], is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word [Torah], in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

Verse 9 is directly tied to the promise in the next verse:

Revelation 3:10

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.

[Kept] is again the Greek tereo„, “to guard, watch over, protect,” or “obey, observe” as with the principles and commands of Scripture. This is a non motion verb in contrast to verbs of motion like sozo„, “to save, deliver,” and lambano„, “to take.” This is important because this same word is used of the promise which follows. We will see why when we consider the promise.

But what does it mean to keep the word of His endurance? It means to be a believer, one who has trusted in the person and work of Christ who now sits at God’s right hand for us. Rather than reject this message, they had kept it by faith.

[Word of His patience] refers to the Word, the testimony of Scripture regarding the truth of Christ as the suffering, resurrected, and so also, the victorious Savior who endured the shame of rejection and the cross and who endures today as the resurrected and ascended Lord now sitting at God’s right hand (Heb. 1:3 with 12:1-3).

2 Thess 3:5. He awaits the millennial kingdom (Ps 110; Heb 10:12,13). One of the principal truths recovered by the evangelical movements of the nineteenth century was the Lord’s return for His Church.

[from] literal translation is “out of”, Matt 2:15; 7:5; 15:9; 27:53; Rev 3:16.

[hour] Kept from the time of tribulation: From the period of, not only the actual tribulation (Lk 21:35-36) vs. Thyatira (2:28).

“Time”: hora {ho’-rah}: Used 108 times: “hour” 89, “time” 11, “season” 3, miscellaneous words, 5. A time period, a season.

“Hour” is metaphorical for a shortened period. Because of the clause that follows, this clearly refers to more than the general trials or testings or temptations which people today may encounter. The hour is defined in three ways:

(1) It is “the” hour of trial. The presence of the Greek article specifies this as a very specific time of testing.

(2) It is to come upon the whole world. The term translated “world” is oikoumene„, meaning “the inhabited earth,” but modifying it is the adjective, holos, “whole, complete.” The testing is worldwide.

“The hour of trial,” sometimes referred to as “the Tribulation,” refers to the time of wrath or judgment described in chapters 6-19. This is the same as Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Dan. 9:27) and the time of Jacob’s trouble described by Jeremiah as unprecedented in its judgment (Jer. 30:7).

[tribulation] peirasmos : Trial, temptation, adversity, affliction, trouble, tribulation.

Tribulation = relying on other gods (Judg 10:14). Revelation Chapters 6-19, in contrast to those sealed out of the 12 tribes of Israel in 7:4. “a trial, temptation, or testing.” The context must determine the exact meaning of the word. Here the context shows us the reference is to a very specific meaning, that of world-wide testing or tribulation.

Wrath? Read Rev 6:17 and 1 Thess 1:10; 5:4,9 vs. those who dwell on the earth (Rev 13:8; 6:10 8:13 11:10 12:12 13:8,12,14 14:6 17:8).

[dwell] = not oikeo, katoideo = identified with it (Phil 3:20; Heb 11:13).

epi teo oikoumenes holes: In the Greek it is very clear; upon all mankind; geographically comprehensive.

Though scholars have attempted to avoid this conclusion in order to affirm post- tribulationism, the combination of the verb “keep” (terein) with the preposition “from” (ek) is in sharp contrast to the meaning of keeping the church “through” (dia), a preposition, which is not used here. The expression “the hour of trial” (a time period) makes it clear that they would be kept out of that period. It is difficult to see how Christ could have made this promise to this local church if it were God’s intention for the entire church to go through the Tribulation that will come on the entire world. Even though the church at Philadelphia would go to glory via death long before the time of trouble would come, if the church here is taken to be typical of the body of Christ standing true to the faith, the promise seems to go beyond the Philadelphia church to all those who are believers in Christ (cf. Walvoord, Revelation, pp. 86-8).

The promise:

First, note that this is not a reward to the faithful. This will come in verses 11-12. Instead, this is a promise to the church as a whole. This is clear from 3:13 which broadens this as a promise to the churches at large. All believers are to listen to these messages and their warning, exhortations, and promises and act accordingly. As in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, this is to bring comfort to the church.

Second, the promise is “I will keep you from the hour…” i.e., from the Tribulation. This is very specific and carefully described in the Greek to emphasize and clearly teach the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. The Greek words for “keep out” are te„reo„ ek meaning “out of.” There are four other ways this could have been stated if John wanted to imply that church age believers would be in the Tribulation, but none of them were used.

· tereo en = To keep in. This would be a promise of preservation in the Tribulation.

· tereo dia = to keep through. This would be a promise to keep us through the Tribulation.

· aireo ek = to take out, or sozo ek = to save out. This could mean that believers would go into the Tribulation and then be taken out of the Tribulation.

· aireo apo = to take from. This would mean that believers would go into the Tribulation and then be taken out of the Tribulation.

Rather than any of the above, John chose to use tereo ek, which means “to keep out.” This is a promise that believers will never get into the Tribulation. But how? Paul describes this for us 1 Thessalonians 4:13f. We can chart it like this:

As James 5:20 and 2 Corinthians 1:10 means saved from the peril of death, i.e., from dying. So likewise 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and Rev. 3:10 means delivered from the peril of wrath, the time of testing, the Tribulation.

Among other promises, no promise has been more precious to the churches in subsequent years than this promise to Philadelphia. The substance of the pledge is clearly that of deliverance from the Great Tribulation, which shall eventually envelop the whole earth. The church, i.e., all true believers, will be taken out of the world prior to the cataclysmic upheavals of the Tribulation judgment (cf. chs. 6-19).

1 Thes 5:9; Titus 2:13; 1 John 3:2-3

The Pearl of Great Price Parallel

The Church grown as a living organism, which has to be removed from its place of growth to become an item of adornment. The sixth letter, to Philadelphia, the promise of the rapture is noted, how they will be taken out before the hour of trial.

King David

The anointed King of Israel, for a time exiled from his kingdom and took refuge in a cave in Adullam (1 Sam 22:1; 2 Sam 23:13; 1 Chr 11:15). Refused by his people, he gathered three classes of people around him—men in debt, danger, and discontented—and he transformed them into the mighty men. Ultimately he left Adullam for his crowning.

Today Christ is earth’s rejected King, but the Anointed King will soon return to take His rightful throne. He will give His city—the New Jerusalem—its new name, and each of His own will be marked with His new name: a badge of triumph.

Yashanet.com: The "word of endurance" Yeshua speaks of is yet another reference to Torah. The word translated "endurance" in this text is hupomone, (translated as "patience" in the King James version). It is the same word used later in Revelation, where we are told that this "patience" involves keeping His Torah:

Revelation 14:12 - Here is endurance of the saints: here [are] those keeping the commands of God, and the faith of Yeshua.

Verse 10 raises the question of what Yeshua means by, "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation ..." It is unclear whether He means that He will remove these people from the earth prior to the final time of great tribulation or protect them through it (i.e., as with the 144,000 seen in chapter seven.)

It should be noted that there is no connection between such a possible removal of the righteous prior to the time of Tribulation, and the concept of the "rapture" as taught in some branches of Christianity. The Christian Church as an entity, cannot be the "bride of Messiah," as the bride is grounded in Torah and the faith of Israel (as already discussed in this chapter and the previous one, as well as Revelation 7:9; 7:13-14; 12:17; 14:12; 22:14). Christianity came about as a replacement for this faith grounded in Torah.

(This does not mean that the individual Christian [or anyone for that matter] is "lost," as God will judge each person according to what they have been shown. We are addressing the false idea of "the Church" being a valid replacement for the faithful remnant of Israel and those gentiles who follow her God, as defined through God's Torah.)

The verses used to support the "Rapture" doctrine have been taken and twisted from their original Hebrew context. Two of the more popular verses used to uphold this teaching are:

1 Corinthians 15:50-52 - Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

In the Corinthians verse, Paul is addressing a widely held belief in Judaism at his time, that everyone would die prior to the establishment of the Kingdom (i.e., flesh and blood cannot enter the spiritual world of the Kingdom of God.) The mystery he reveals is that there will be people alive when Messiah returns to do this, and they will have their physical bodies changed (See notes above on spiritual garments.) The "last trump," mentioned by Paul, is not at Rosh haShanah (as used to support "rapture" doctrines), but occurs at Yom Kippur, again indicative of this event occuring at the end of the Tribulation period.

In the Thesallonians verse, Paul is again referring to the ingathering of Israel to be with her Messiah (i.e. Zechariah 12:10, at the last trump of God (Yom Kippur), at the end of the tribulation period. (See comments to verse 7 above, and also prior notes on yomim ha nora'im, the "days of awe" in Chapter 2, verse 10.)

(Note the similarity between Paul's statements and Enoch's, regarding garments, in verse 4 above.)

Despite these erroneous doctrines, God certainly can, if He so desires, remove those righteous (according to His Torah) before the final judgment, either through death or miraculously. Whether or not verse 10 refers to this, the congregation at Philadelphia does seem to stand in contrast to that at Smyrna, who, though Yeshua is please with them, will face persecution and death during this time period. Whereas Smyrna seems to be further "tested," Philadelphia for some reason is not, or at least not in the same way.

Thus, it would seem that there are three "categories" of people near the end of days:

· Those who are

considered righteous

· Those who need additional purification before being allowed to enter the Kingdom

· Those who do not repent, and perish

This concept is supported by the idea found in Hebraic literature, that at Rosh haShana, three heavenly books are opened in which names are inscribed. One book is for those who are unredeemable wicked, another for the righteous, and a third for those of "intermediate status."

The fate of the wicked and righteous is sealed on Rosh haShana. The fate of those that fall "in-between" these two categories is deferred until Yom Kippur, when all the books are permanently sealed. Thus, they have the time between Rosh haShana and Yom Kippur (i.e., the seven year Tribulation period), to repent. It is customary at Rosh haShana to wish people both a good inscription (gemar ketivah tovah) and a good seal (gemar hatimah tovah) from that day until Yom Kippur.2

The book of Enoch also supports this view:

Enoch 49:1-4 - In those days the saints and the chosen shall undergo a change. The light of day shall rest upon them; and the splendor and glory of the saints shall be changed. In the day of trouble evil shall be heaped up upon sinners; but the righteous shall triumph in the name of the Lord of spirits. Others shall be made to see, that they must repent, and forsake the works of their hands; and that glory awaits them not in the presence of the Lord of spirits; yet that by his name they may be saved. The Lord of spirits will have compassion on them: for great is his mercy; and righteousness is in his judgment, and in the presence of his glory; nor in his judgment shall iniquity stand. He who repents not before him shall perish. Henceforward I will not have mercy on them saith the Lord of spirits.

Revelation 3:11Exhortation (Note there is no criticism)

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

[I come quickly] A reference to the rapture, for this is the coming of Christ the church will experience before the second coming (notes on 1 Thes. 4:13-17; 2 Thes. 2:7).

Jesus will return, just as He promised (John 14:3).

[Quickly] = “suddenly” in the Greek.

If the gathering of His own were to occur after the 70th week of Daniel, there would have to be an intervening period of seven years...no “imminent” return!

This means “suddenly, unexpectedly, without announcement” and not necessarily soon. It implies immanency and so the charge here is to “hold fast,” a warning against spiritual carelessness and carnality. The warning reminds us to live in the light of His coming, to hold fast to Him in faith and service. For when He comes it will mean examination and rewards. He will not forget our service on His behalf, but we must hold fast to the hope and expectation of His coming for us or we will live carelessly, indifferently to our calling and purpose as believers. When that happens we lose our crowns, rewards for faithful service. So the Spirit quickly adds, “that no one take your crown.”

[Thy crown] They already have it! To lose a crown is to be deprived of the honor or glory potentially available through faithful living. There are two possible ideas here:

(1) It could refer to rewards which are lost and given to others because we failed to hold fast. Swete states, “‘The picture is not that of a thief snatching away what is feebly held, but rather of a competitor receiving a prize which has been forfeited.’” I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 9:24 where the apostle challenges us regarding rewards, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win (lit. lay hold of).” There is also the parable of Luke 19:24 where the Lord says regarding the unfaithful servant, “Take the mina away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.”

(2) Or, it could refer to rewards lost because of the evil influences that we might allow to hinder us in the race of life (cf. Matt. 13:7, 22; Col. 2:18; 2 John 8; Rev. 2:20 with 2:25f).

Actually, both concepts are true as the above Scriptures make clear.

[Hold that fast] Let no man rob you,

(Col 2:18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind

Esau lost his place to Jacob (Gen 25:34; 27:36); Reuben, the eldest son of Jacob, lost his place to Judah (Gen 49:4, 8); for his action at Meribah, Moses was superseded by Joshua (Num 20:12; Deut 3:26-28); Saul lost his place to David (1 Sam 16:1,13); Shebna lost his place to Eliakim (Isa 22:15-25); Joab and Abiathar lost their places to Benaiah and Zadok (1 Kgs 2:25); for his lack of faith, Elijah was superseded by Elisha (1 Kgs 19:13-16).

After Peter’s denial, it was to the younger John that our Lord entrusted His mother (Jn 19:26,27).

There are some who believe that Peter lost his witness as an apostle or disciple after he denied Jesus three times.

(Mark 16:6-7) 6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Peter however regained his position in John 21 when Jesus asked him three times if he loved Him.

(John 21:15-17) 15So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Nowhere are we told to prepare for the Great Tribulation...

The city of Philadelphia, during the 14th century, stood alone against the entire Turkish empire as a free, self-governing Christian city in the midst of a Turkish land. Twice besieged by great Turkish armies, its people reduced to the verge of starvation, they had learned to defend themselves, and resisted to the end. At last, about 1379-1390, it

succumbed to a combined Turkish and Byzantine army. Until then, Philadelphia had held fast. In 1922, Turkey and Greece fought in Philadelphia. Today, the few remaining Christians remain under-ground, as they generally have to in an Islamic country.

Revelation 3:12(Promise to the Overcomer)

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.

In verse 12, then, the believer who overcomes is promised three specific things:

First, he will have as a reward a special ministry as a permanent and prominent fixture in the temple of God (Eph. 2:21f). All believers are in the spiritual building and household of God (Eph. 2:21-22), but some will be pillars as special rewards. To be a pillar is a sign of special reward with a permanent position of honor and responsibilities in the millennium and eternal state. Pillars stood for stability, ornamentation, and service.

Second, he will never be removed from this place of preeminence in the eternal temple. The overcomer has a fixed eternal place of honor in the sanctuary of God. “He will not go out from it anymore.”

Third, he will have three special names: he will have written on him God’s name and the name of the new Jerusalem along with Christ’s own new name. This would all signify the priestly dignity and prominence given to the victors.

[pillar] 1Kgs 7:15-22; Jachin = “He shall establish,” “In His counsel”;

Boaz = “In him is strength.” For a deeper study, No tremors here; no need to vacate

in fear again because God is in charge.

Remain in the spirit, not in the flesh (Gal 3:3). Those that are God’s are to be manifestly marked (Rev 7:3; 9:4; 14:1; 22:4).

[new name] (Rev 2:17; 19:16; Jer 23:6; Rev 21:2): A name written which no one knows but He Himself (Rev 19:12): YHWH Shammah, “The Lord is there” (Ezek 48:35); Yeshua name is preeminent (Phil 2:9).

Three names to be written on overcomers:

1.The name of God the Father

2.The name of the New Jerusalem, the capital city of God (Rev. 21:2,9)

3.The new name of Christ

This will no doubt be literal, as in Rev. 7:1-8; Rev. 14:1; Rev. 22:4. Compare the beast brands which will be literal (Rev. 13:16; Rev. 14:11; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:4).

[my God] = Used four times in this verse. (cf. Ps 22:1).

David, the anointed King of Israel, was for a time exiled from his kingdom and took refuge in a cave in Adullam (1 Sam 22:1; 2 Sam 23:13; 1 Chr 11:15). David, refused by his people, gathered three classes of people around him: men in debt, men in danger, and men that were discontented. He transformed them into mighty men. He ultimately left Adullam for his crowning. (G. Campbell Morgan)

Today Christ is earth’s rejected King, but the Anointed King will soon return to take His rightful throne. He will give His city—the New Jerusalem—its new name, and each of His own will be marked with His new name: a badge of triumph.

I will make those winning the victory pillars (leaders, Ga 2:6–9) in the Temple of my God. In Solomon’s Temple were two pillars named Bo‛az and Yakhin (1 Kings 7:21). Compare 1 Ke 2:5, where believers are said to be “living stones, … being built into a spiritual house.” Later in Yochanan’s vision there is a Temple in heaven (7:15, 11:19, 14:15, 15:5, 16:1), and Yeshua ministers there as cohen gadol (MJ 2:17&N). But in the New Yerushalayim coming down out of heaven (see 21:2&N), God himself will be the Temple, so it is not surprising that its pillars will be believers.

I will write on him the name of my God. People signify by the names they bear whom they belong to. In the Tanakh, God put his name (YHVH) on the people of Israel by having the cohanim recite the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24–27). The faithful bear the name of God (here, 22:4) and the name of the Messiah (14:1), including his own new name (2:17, 19:12). Likewise, the followers of the beast signify that they belong to him by bearing his name (13:17).

The name of my God’s city. This signifies citizenship in that city (see 21:2).

Revelation 3:13(Closure)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Both Smyrna and Philadelphia have no criticism; both of these cities are the ones remaining still today.

Let’s remember that each of the churches had a different perception of themselves that the Lord Himself had. How sobering to us in our own conceits.

CHRIST’S LETTER TO THE CHURCH IN LAODICEA

The letter of Christ to the church in Laodicea is the last of these seven letters. Sir William Ramsay calls Laodicea “the city of compromise.” This city was founded by Antiochus II (261-246 b.c.). It had a Seleucid foundation. Seleucus was one of the generals of Alexander who took Syria. Lysimachus took Asia Minor, but apparently Seleucus moved over into his territory and took some of his ground, including this city.

Laodicea was about forty miles east and inland from Ephesus on the Lycus River, which flows into the Maeander River. It is located at what is known as the “Gate of Phrygia.” Out of the Oriental East, the great camel caravans came down through the Gate of Phrygia and through Laodicea. This road came out of the East and went to Ephesus, to Miletus, and also up to what is called Izmir today but was Smyrna in that day. Laodicea was in a spectacular place, a great valley. Today its ruins are largely covered up with the growth of what looks like wild oats. Its name means “justice of the people.” It was named for Laodice, the wife of Antiochus. Although there were several cities which bore this name, this was the most famous one of all.

Between Laodicea and going on up to the Phrygian mountains, there was in this valley a great Anatolian temple of the Phrygian god, Men Karou. This was the primitive god of that area. The temple was the very center of all society, administration, trade, and religion. There was a great market there, and strangers came from everywhere to trade. I suppose that the large market in Istanbul today is very similar to it.

Laodicea was a place of great wealth, of commerce, and of Greek culture. It was a place of science and of literature. It boasted an excellent medical school which, again, was very primitive and actually very heathen. Here is where they developed what was known in the Roman world as Phrygian powder, a salve for the ears and the eyes. Laodicea was also a center of industry with extensive banking operations. Cicero held court here. It is said that he brought notes here to be cashed in this city. Jupiter, or Zeus, was the object of worship in Laodicea.

The city was finally abandoned because of earthquakes. The very impressive ruins of two Roman theaters, a large stadium, and three early Christian churches are still there. The city itself has not been excavated. In other words, these ruins which I have mentioned protrude through all the debris and wild growth that is there. I have heard that there is an American foundation which has set aside two to three million dollars to excavate Laodicea. I would love to join that excavation for it would be very worthwhile.

Laodicea was a place of great commerce where they made clothing. As you stand on the ruins of Laodicea, you can look around at the nearby hills and see where Colosse is located and also Hierapolis, where there are springs. The greatest ruins are not in Colosse or Laodicea but in Hierapolis. The hills have a very funny color. The people took the clay from those hills, put it with a spikenard, and made it into a salve for the eyes and ears. This salve was shipped all over the Roman Empire. Today the chemical analysis reveals that there is nothing healing in that clay at all, but somebody made good money at it in that day. We like to think we are civilized today, but there is a lot of medicine on the market that won’t do you a bit of good; yet we are buying it just as fast as we can because of high-pressure advertising. We had better not criticize these people too much—but the Lord Jesus did. He is going to tell them that they had better get the real eye salve that will open their eyes.

Revelation 3:14(Destination and Description)

Laodiceans

And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;

All of the messages to the churches of Asia are extremely practical, but perhaps none fits the conditions in both Europe and in North America as does the message to Laodicea, the church that had become so lukewarm in its deceptive self-sufficiency. Regarding this condition, MacArthur has given us an accurate picture. He writes:

One of the remarkable sidelights in the staggering political changes in Eastern Europe is the fact of a vibrant Christianity that has emerged in the midst of the suffering, persecution, and atheism of these Communist dominated countries.

By contrast, in free Europe where there has been prosperity and democracy, the church is almost completely dead. The church has ceased to have any impact on the society. Atheism and humanism have taken over. Government and public policy is governed almost totally by philosophies that are antibiblical and even intolerant of the truth of Scripture.

If you look at the U.S., you find much the same thing. Government and the media, which affects the thinking of so much of America, are, for the most part, liberal and intolerant of Christianity. Leadership in both Europe and the U.S. are working for a one world government while the populace is preoccupied with their comfort and pleasure or the good life. The moral climate or condition of both free Europe and the U.S. is rotten to the core. According to a number of polls, if you compare the values, priorities, practices, and pursuits of professing Christians and non-Christians alike, you find very little difference on the whole.

Yet, much of free Europe and all of America owe their freedom, their prosperity, and blessings to the preaching of the Word of God, to the reformation in Europe, and to the ministries of men like the Wesleys, George Whitfield, and Jonathan Edwards in America.

What then is the problem? Is it freedom? Is it prosperity? No! But there are inherent dangers in both freedom and prosperity, subtle dangers.

It is more than a curiosity that the church has flourished behind the Iron Curtain while dying in the West. The reasons are clear. Lacking any visible external threat to our faith, many in the free world have lost any sense of the subtlety of the enemy and how he attacks. We have grown careless and apathetic. We have become concerned more with our own comfort and well-being than with the command of Christ that we should follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21).

So, what’s the problem? People simply can’t stand prosperity. With freedom and prosperity come the temptation to trust in our blessings rather than in the Blessor. We become fat, comfortable, and self-sufficient. If we have plenty, we tend to think we have need of nothing. If we do not have enough, looking at the wealth around us, we tend to think that what we need is what others have—material blessings.

The problem is that men are putting their faith in the wrong thing, in their material world, in treasures on earth. Christ told us in no uncertain terms to do the opposite, to lay up treasures in heaven. Paul instructs us in 1 Tim 6:17-19:

The Laodicean church was a church that had lost its impact on the world because it had become occupied with the world and because it had left the Lord standing outside. Whether one believes in the idea that the seven churches of Asia portray seven historical stages the church would go through or not, certainly this church illustrates conditions of the church in the 20th century in a large portion of the world.

[Laodiceans] This letter was written to the people of the church, whereas the first six letters were written to the churches themselves. This is interesting and may allude to the name and condition of the church. The word Laodiceans could be translated “rule of the people”. This may also be referred to in Rev 3:20, Christ outside the church and calling individuals. He does not make a corporate call to the church of Laodicea.

[Laodicea] = “rule of the people” (vs. God). The “Self-Satisfied Church”!

[Amen] = true; verily (Rev 1:6,7,18 Isa 65:16). “The God of the Amen,” (Jn 14:6) Faithful and True witness (Isa 55:4; Jn 18:37). Only time used as a title or name.

The word was used to acknowledge and emphasize what was valid, sure and true, or important and significant. It is used in the Old Testament as a liturgical formula in which a congregation or individual accepts both the validity of an oath or curse and its consequences (Num. 5:22; Deut. 27:15ff.; Neh. 5:13; Jer. 11:5). Twenty five times, always in the gospel of John, John records the Lord’s use of this word, ame„n, translated as, “truly truly, I say to you.” Here in Revelation 3:14, the “amen” is explained with the words, “the Faithful and True Witness.”

“Amen” also connoted the idea of finality or the last word; is used of our Lord as the True One, the last word and final authority in each individual’s life as well as for the entire world. As used of Christ, it points to Him as the end, the finality and certainty of all things. With Him one needs no substitutes, no subtractions or additions. With Jesus Christ there is no further search needed for truth for in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:3). Thus, every promise He makes is true and every woe He pronounces shall come to pass.

[the faithful and true witness] As mentioned, this clause defines the word “amen.” But it is especially designed to contrast Christ’s statement of verses 15 and 16 with the statement of the Laodiceans about themselves in verse 17. As the “Faithful and True Witness,” He stripped them and so also us of all our false appearances and pretentiousness, rationalizations and excuses. It stresses the need in each of us for honest examination followed by an honest to God confession that demonstrates a genuine desire for a change of life. It would further teach us the need to be in His Word which reveals our true condition (Heb. 4:12). The Lord said, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17).

[beginning of creation of God] Arche, (the firstborn of God) Or

igin, source; used of rank and honor. (Unique expression here and in Col 1:15. Paul specifically instructed that Colossae and Laodicea exchange epistles. A rebuttal to the Gnostic errors beginning to make their appearance in the Lycus valley.)

The point is Jesus Christ is the origin, the cause, the Creator of all things (John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17; Rev. 1:8; 21:6). He is the Creator of this earth, now fallen under the curse of sin through rebellion to Him. But He is also the Creator of the coming kingdom and the eternal state of a new heavens and earth in which dwells perfect righteousness (cf. Isa. 65:17f).

(2 Pet 3:4) warning. Isn’t it interesting that this letter corresponds to the era when a denial of the creation (evolution) characterizes society?! Primary heresy of our culture

Do you prefer (contrary to fact) speculation or the revelation of the One who actually did it?

(2 Pet 3:3-7) 3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

There is a linkage between creation and second coming of Christ. If you deny one you have to deny the other.

Sha’ul worked hard fo