Revelation 3:7-3:22, Forget the numbers, don't be apathetic, but be obedient to the call of God in your life

Rev 3:7-13 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.


8 "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you.  10  Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.  11  I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.  12  The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.  13  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'


DESCRIPTION
• Destination is Philadelphia, which means brotherly love or literally "one who loves his brother"
• Founded by a Pergamenian king, Attalus II who had a special devotion to his brother
• The city was founded with a missionary emphasis, to promote Hellenism in an Oriental land (Tatford)
• Because it experienced earthquakes from time to time, more of the population than normal lived outside the city (Constable)
• The AD 17 earthquake resulted in the emperor Tiberius relieving the city of having to pay taxes
• It housed an imperial cult
LITERAL / UNIVERSAL
• What is the point of the description of Jesus?
• Described as him who is holy and true
• Holy emphasizes his righteousness (which really is a key part of the gospel message)
• True is the genuine-ness of the message
• Described as him who holds the key of David
• It could be a reference to a story in the old testament of Hezekiah's servant, Eliakim, who had authority over all of David's house, including his treasures or resources
• It could also be part of the description of the person who opens and closes doors
• Described as the door opener (and closer)
• We will see in a minute that there has never been a point in history where the gospel had the freedom it did
• What do we learn about the church from the commendations?
• He knows their works (they are active, doing something)
• God has placed an open door and they have been obedient
• They are two promises as a result of the commendation
• One, they will have an impact among these cults (many cults make an argument that they are the true people of God)
• Two, they will not have to go through the tribulation
• This makes much more sense in the UNIVERSAL or PROPHETIC sense
• What is the exhortation and what does it mean?
• Hold on to what you have (you have an earned a crown)
• Or you are doing well, keep it up
• What do we learn from the condemnation?
• One of only two churches that have no condemnation
• The promise is "to be a pillar in the temple of my God," but what does it mean?
• When Solomon built the temple he named two of the pillars, establish and strength
• The idea is of a firm position. Unlike the earthly temple, God's temple will never be shaken
• The permanence of the relationship is emphasized by the writing of the names. The threefold writing of the names is a threefold assurance of his identity with God
PROPHETIC
• For the purpose of the historical-prophetic interpretation,  Philadelphia is the "church of the great missionary movement" and covers the period of AD 1648-1900
• Period of the British Empire
• The sun never sets on the British empire
• Every nation in the world was open to the gospel. These two centuries was a time where the entire world was open to the gospel. To a certain extent, the British empire was the door
• Men like Hudson Taylor, Adoraim Judson, William Carey, and others went all over the world with the gospel
• They had little strength. It was actually a minority of believers who God used during this time. But they were faithful to his calling. Men like George Mueller who did extraordinary things by faith. Revivals would sweep whole countries even though they started out by only a few people praying
• It is not your sized that defines your success, it is your obedience
• God's job is the numbers. The lack of numbers is not an indication of failure. Now, they did see huge numbers, but for many it wasn't until much later
• During this time, ministries to Jews actually took root and by 1900, 250K Jews became believers, starting in Germany, then England, and finally the US
• But the synagogue of Satan (who are not Jews) probably refers to cults, people who see themselves as replacements for God's people: Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Christian Science, and others. Often the cults claim to be the real Jews by declaring themselves to be the 144K Jews or the ten lost tribes of Israel
• APPLICATION: it is not the size and numbers that define success, but obedience to what God has called us to. As evidenced by John's mission late in life, none of us are yet too old for God to use. What is he calling us to do? Stop putting it off and saying no. Be obedient to the call of God


Rev 3:14-22 (ESV) "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.


15 "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!  16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.  17  For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.  18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.  19  Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.  20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  21  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  22  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"


DESCRIPTION:
• Destination is Laodicea
• The name means "people ruling"
• Tatford writes that the Laodiceans had a reputation for saying and doing whatever was necessary to preserve their own wellbeing
• Also very susceptible to earthquakes but declined Roman assistance to rebuild the city to do it themselves using their own wealth
• The wealth of the inhabitants created a taste for the arts of Greeks. Also, science and literature were important. A large medical school was established there. Very considerable trade at a major cross-road
• Known for raven black wool production
• City ruins bear the stamp of Roman extravagance and luxury
LITERAL / UNIVERSAL
• What is the point of the description of Jesus?
• Jesus is described as the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation
• This church is in contrast to Jesus' name. They are neither faithful or a witness, and they believe that they ruled over God's creation
• What do we learn about the church from the commendations?
• This is the only church among the seven that receives no commendation from God
• What do we learn from the condemnation, first their temperature?
• They are neither hot nor cold in their love for God. They were apathetic. They didn't really care
• Interesting Laodicea received their water from a spring 6 miles away that traveled by aqueduct and it arrived lukewarm
• Next door neighbor, Hierapolis had hot, spring water that was valuable for its medicinal effects
• Nearby Colosse had cool water that was refreshing as a beverage (Hemer)
• God disputes their opinion of themselves (rich and not needing anything). What does God call them?
• Wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (these all refer to their spiritual condition). They probably were wealthy but God is not commenting about their wealth
• What does God tell them that they need, and what does it mean?
• Gold refined in fire. Character qualities and a spiritual witness
• White clothes to wear. In scripture this usually refers to righteousness that a believer receives when he comes to Christ
• Plus, they are naked which means that they did not have any clothes
• I disagree with certain authors who believe this letter was written to a Christian church. Most of the language suggests otherwise
• Salve to put on your eyes so that you can see. A believer can see but an unbeliever cannot see. These are not believers (in my opinion)
• God tells the people
• He rebukes and disciplines those he loves (could be suggestive of a believer but God loves the world)
• They need to repent (an unbeliever also needs to repent)
• Jesus calls them to enter into a relationship with him by opening the door to their life  (or heart). These last two sentences sound like a salvation call and not a return to faith
• The promise is "to sit with Jesus on his throne"
• Only a believer can rule with Jesus in the millennial kingdom
• This church needs to believe
PROPHETIC
• For the purpose of the historical-prophetic interpretation,  Laodicea is the "Church of the Apostasy" and covers the period of AD 1900-present
• The Philadelphian time  period was a great time for the church, but this last church is not so good
• Apostate means to leave something that was previously held
• This is the western church today, apathetic, not believing they have any need, not on fire for the Lord, nor necessarily cold to spiritual things, just not wanting to get too close. The church though is blind, poor, and naked. In other words, the church or Christendom is made up of mostly unbelieving churches
• Paul taught that in the latter days, apostasy would come first
• 2 Thess  2:1-3
• 1 Tim 4:1-3
• 2 Tim 3:1-5
• 2 Tim 4:1-4
• A number of major trends in this century has hastened this departure
• Questioning of the scripture as not inerrant (movement began in Germany)
• Interpret bible doctrines in light of natural law and human reason
• Evolution weakened the confidence in scripture (life from random chaotic events)
• An unnatural break between science and religion
• Mocking of religion by the elite; 2 Pet 3:3-7
• APPLICATION: We need to recapture the heart of the Philadelphian church in terms of how God can use us to change nations and a people. We need to make sure we don't fall in love with the world and the things of the world and become apathetic toward God. God wants to use us. But God can only use those who have his clothes, his riches, and his vision for the world