of Jesus Christ · •This city was the youngest of the seven churches. •Lacking an heir, Attalus...

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of Jesus Christ

Outline - Chapter 2

Church of Ephesus (desirable) Rev 2:1-7

Church of Smyrna (myrrh) Rev 2:8-11

Church of Pergamos (exalted) Rev 2:12-17

Church of Thyatira (ruled by a woman/ sweet savor of labor) Rev 2:18-29

Church of Sardis (renewal/revival/restoration) Rev 3:1-6

Church of Philadelphia (brotherly love) Rev 3:7-13

2 House of Intercessory Prayer Ministries

Church Age


City of Philadelphia


A Quick Recap • Ephesus - The early church, Apostolic church age AD 33 to 100

(Church that started well on the day of Pentecost, became cold hearted and sooner lost their first love)

• Smyrna - The church under pagan persecution, AD 100 to 312 (Many Christians were burnt alive at stake, were thrown into the boiling oil or thrown in to the coliseum for the hungry beast. During this period, the famous bishop of Christian church, Polycarp served in Smyrna was martyred in 156 AD)

• Pergamos - Paganism enters the church, AD 312 to 590s (Pergamum church was married to the world, Out of this alliance between the Roman emperor and the Christian church came the birth of Roman Catholicism.)

• Thyatira - Papal supremacy of Dark Ages, 590 to 1517 (927 Years) (Nothing good that happened, no missionary, no evangelism, no study of the Word just paganism, death and corruption)

• Sardis - Protestant reformation , 1517 to 1750 (233 Years) (represents a bunch of nominal Christians, they are Christians for name sake, Jesus says, you look like a church, act like a church, but you are dead)

• Philadelphia - Mission, Missionary and Evangelism, 1750 to 1925 (175 Years) (Awakening among the church, Bible spread and studied, (“kept my word, and hast not denied my name”)


City of Philadelphia – The Kingdom

• The city of Philadelphia was established in 189 BC by King Eumenes II of Pergamon (197-160 BC).

• Eumenes II named the city for the love of his brother, who would be his successor.

• Attalus II (159-138 BC), whose loyalty earned him the nickname, "Philadelphos", literally meaning "one who loves his brother".

• This city was the youngest of the seven churches. • Lacking an heir, Attalus III , the last of the Attalid kings of

Pergamum, disposed his kingdom, including Philadelphia, to his Roman allies when he died in 133 BC.

• Rome set up the province of Asia in 129 BC by combining Ionia and the former Kingdom of Pergamum.


City of Philadelphia - Language • It was situated where the borders of Mysia, Lydia and

Phrygia meet together. • It was founded especially as a mission city to expand

the Greek culture and language to Lydia and Phrygia. • Barclay mentions that they were so successful that by

A.D. 19 the Lydians had forgotten their own language and were all but Greeks.

• William Ramsay says that Philadelphia was the center for the diffusion of the Greek language and Greek letters in a peaceful land and by peaceful means.


Provinces of Asia Minor


City of Philadelphia - Location • Settled at the northeast foot of Mount Tmolus and

resting on a small broad hill. • Philadelphia was approximately 28 miles southeast of

Sardis located in a fertile region of Lydia. • The gentle surrounding slopes provided a great

military defense. • Captured by a combined Turkish and Byzantine army

around 1379-1390. • Was a center of Graeco-Asiatic civilization and a means

of spreading the Greek language and manners in the eastern parts of Lydia and in Phrygia.

• It was located at an important trade route from Ephesus to the East during Byzantine and mediaeval times 9 House of Intercessory Prayer Ministries

City of Philadelphia - Earthquakes • The residents of Philadelphia experienced frequent

earthquakes, one in 17 AD that destroyed the city along with eleven other cities in the Lydian valley.

• As earthquakes increased more of the residents moved their homes to outside of the city.

• William Ramsay points out that now extinct volcanoes, which were “active in recent geological time,” left traces of black lava and “vast cinder-heaps.”

• Strabo, a Greek geographer, wrote that the frequent aftershocks often threw the people of Philadelphia into a panic. People lived in a constant state of fear and often remained outside of the city living in huts and booths, those who were bold enough remained in the city.

• Strabo, also labeled Philadelphia the “city of earthquakes” 10 House of Intercessory Prayer Ministries

V3:7 (Christ’s representation) He who is holy: • He is a Holy God. Such a person is alone to call the

church of Philadelphia to holiness. 1 Peter 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. He is a Holy Father, Son is holy and Spirit is Holy Spirit, the entire Trinity is a representation of holiness. Jesus' birth was holy, He walked on the face of this earth as a holy man and had a holy death.

He who is true • To the church in Philadelphia, He is saying He is a true

and genuine God, unlike the many fake Gods and Goddesses around.


V3:7 (Christ’s representation) He who has the key of David • It is a prophecy concerning Jesus by Isaiah in Isaiah 22:22 The

key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open.

• Key represents access to something. It also represents, Access to eternal blessing and everlasting life with the Lord. (Note:1)

He who opens and no one shuts, shuts and no one opens: • He has the keys to holiness and truth, and the key to

opportunity, and the key to service and testimony. He has the power to open the door according to His sovereign will.

• In our life today, there are certain doors closed for a long time.

• Better know that these doors are shut by the Lord, that is the reason no one could open it.

• You try to open it by all means of praying and fasting. 12 House of Intercessory Prayer Ministries

V3:7 (Christ’s representation) • But the Lord says, it is shut by me for a specific reason. It

will not open for you. Paul says, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 "a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

• Better know that certain doors are kept closed by the Lord.

• On the other hand, if the Lord opens a door, no one can shut that.

• Especially in the areas where God wants to use you, He opens door, no one can shut that. When you find the door open, enter into it. You will see miracles.

• It is the Lord who gives opportunities. 13 House of Intercessory Prayer Ministries

V3:8 (Appreciation) Apart from Smyrna, Philadelphia is yet another church the Lord has only praise, no condemnation. First I have set a open door: Lord Jesus presented himself the one who is responsible to open door and tells the church that you have a open door and have a great opportunity. What does the Bible mean when it talks about open door? 1 Corinthians 16:8,9 - Door is open opportunities, but there are many enemies. 2 Corinthians 2:12 - Here Paul asks the church to pray for him. Colossians 4:3 - Paul recognized Lord Jesus Christ was a great door opener. (Note 2:) The Lord has strategically placed the city of Philadelphia at the road that connects Smyrna and the north eastern parts of Asia Minor where they could influence thousands for the Lord.


V3:8 (Appreciation) Second characteristics is "they have a little strength." Its not that the church has little strength that it can function by itself, the Lord is saying the church has little strength that ultimately it has to depend upon the Lord in order to function. • 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My

strength is made perfect in weakness.” (Note 3) Thirdly, You have kept my Word. • John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you

will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. • Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might

not sin against You. • Church in Philadelphia is commented for keeping and living up

to the standard of God's Word. God is teaching us the importance of the Word of God. Because Bible says, Psalm 138:2 For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.


V3:8 (Appreciation) Fourthly, they have not denied the name of the Lord.

• The church in Philadelphia not only had a open door, not only had little strength, not only kept God's word but also had not denied the name of the Lord.

• Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

• Mark 14:30, Mark 14:31 (Peter denying the Lord)

• 2 Timothy 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

• Often these four characteristics are found in any vibrant church for the Lord. The door of opportunity opened by God , sense of their own powerlessness apart from Christ, commitment to the Word of God, Absolute integrity as it relates to doctrine. If these four characteristics are seen in any church, that is on the move for the Lord. 16 House of Intercessory Prayer Ministries

V3:9 (Promise) Satan's mechanism to fight against the church is seen all through the history of church. • In Ephesus, he brought in men who say they are apostles and

are not. • In Smyrna, there were group of people who say they are Jews

and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. • In Pergamos Satan himself lived and established his throne. • In Thyatira, Jezebel an agent of Satan was allowed inside the

church. • In Sardis, Satan brought apathy or spiritual numbness through

the nominal Christians and killed the church. • Here in Philadelphia, God is making an end to the work of Satan

by bringing those who belong to the synagogue of Satan (who live like Christians but they are not internally) to the feet of the church in Philadelphia to worship the Lord.


V3:9 (Promise) I will make them come and worship before your feet

What does Jesus mean by worshiping before your feet?

• This is in reference to the wooden prayer altars found at the front of all churches.

• You have to go through no one to get to God.

• You can go straight to the altar, get down on your knees and pray.

• When you pray at this altar I will walk by and pray for you.

• You will be worshiping at my feet.

• You are not worshiping the pastor in any way.

• You are worshiping God at the feet of the Philadelphian church.


V3:9 (Promise) and to know that I have loved you • One way of God showing His love to the church is by brining

their enemies inside the church. • These are people who said they are Jews (Children of God),

but they were synagogue of Satan. They lived a nominal Christian life but still under the bondage of Satan.

• Christ is telling them that He will make them true worshippers of God. That shows His love towards the church.

• God places a great deal of importance to His church. That is the reason Christ is dealt with all these seven churches through John and asked him to write and send to the seven churches.

• Another reason for Christ loving the church is, "the church is the bride getting ready to meet the bridegroom in heaven".


V3:10 (Promise) • Hour of trial or hour of testing or hour of tribulation refers to

the tribulation period. • Bible doesn't say I will keep you through the hour of testing.

Bible says, I will keep you from the hour of trial. • Method of keeping us away is to rapture the church away from

the tribulation. That starts in Chapter 4. • Through out all these chapters there is no reference for church

being here on earth. • Of all the teachings of prophecy, the timing of rapture is the

most controversial. (before, during, or after the tribulation) • What is the rapture? The Rapture refers to the sudden removal

of God's people from the Earth. In the twinkling of an eye born-again Christians will suddenly have their bodies transformed and then they will rise up into the air to join Jesus. The phrase rapture (Greek word that is translated is harpazo) means to be caught up or taken away suddenly.


V3:10 (Promise) Here are the four different views

• Pre-Tribulation rapture - Christians are raptured before the persecutions of the Antichrist or the wrath of God upon the earth. This occurs before the 7-year tribulation period

• Post-Tribulation rapture - Christians undergo both the Antichrist's persecutions and the wrath of God and become raptured at the end of the 7-year tribulation period

• Mid-Tribulation rapture - The rapture occurs at the midpoint of the 7-year period (Tribulation period). The elect undergo some persecutions but escape the wrath of God.

• Pre-Wrath rapture - In this view Christians will endure the persecutions of the Antichrist but will be raptured before the wrath of God begins some time in the second half of the 7-year tribulation period.


V3:10 (Promise) Reasons why rapture will happen before tribulation starts.

1) WRATH OF GOD – God’s children will be saved from wrath

Luke 17:26-29 - From these two accounts of Noah and Lot, we see that God removes the righteous prior to his judgment on the wicked. (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, Romans 5:8-9, 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Luke 21:34-36, Zephaniah 2:2-3)

2) SATAN'S WRATH – God’s children will be spared

Revelation 3:10-11 - The rapture of the dead occurs before the indignation or persecution followed by the wrath of God upon the Earth.

3) IMMINENCY - Christ can return at any moment

Mark 13:32 - But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. (Matthew 24:42, Matthew 24:44, Mark 13:35-36, Revelation 12:6, James 5:8-9, 1 Peter 4:7, Romans 13:11-12, Revelation 3:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10)


V3:10 (Promise) 4) RETURN OF CHRIST - The time of Christ's return is not predictable.

Matthew 24:37 – 39 With the mid or post-tribulation rapture the time of Jesus' return can be predicted. (Matthew 25:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3)

5) MILLENNIAL PEOPLE - A Multitude of Christians will enter the Millennial Kingdom after the second coming.

1 Corinthians 15:52-53 - In a post-tribulation rapture all Christians will be changed into imperishable bodies when Christ comes. If all Christians are raptured then who is left to populate the land during the Millennium?

6) SECOND COMING - Jesus returns with the raptured saints

Revelation 19:8,11,14 - The Church dressed in righteousness, is the wife of the Lamb. When Christ returns he is accompanied by an army in fine white linen. The fine linen stands for the righteousness of the raptured saints.


V3:11 (Warning) The risen Christ tells them that He is coming quickly. In the New Testament the Coming of Christ is used for two purposes. 1. Used as warning for our negligence God is reminding the church that he is coming quickly. He is sending warning signal to the church to be ready.

2. Used as a comfort for the persecuted and oppressed. The church that has gone through the persecution and poverty, when they heard that Christ is coming soon , it was a great comfort.


V3:11 (Warning) Hold fast: • There are many instances in both OT and NT where hold fast is

mentioned (Deuteronomy 13:4, Joshua 23:8) • Paul has a similar word for the Corinthian Church (1 Cor 15:2) • In a letter to (Timothy Paul says, 2 Tim 1:13) • Out of several texts from Hebrews we read (Hebrews 10:23 )

The crown:

The Bible speaks of several crowns that we may obtain. There is an imperishable crown (1 Cor 9:25), a crown of rejoicing (2 Tim4:8), a crown of glory (1 Pet 5:4), and a crown of life, Jam 1:12). Let us make sure that we do not lose our crown already allocated to us if we remain faithful.


V3:12 (Reward) Make him a pillar in the temple of my God:

• To the over comers, the Lord confirms they would be made pillars in the temple of God. This high honor was bestowed upon the Greek priests who had died in this area. Barclay records that the name of the priest and his father were engraved upon a new pillar then lifted into place in the temple as a permanent remainder of the priest’s faithfulness in service. James, Peter and John seemed to be pillars in the early New Testament Church (Gal 2:9).

Shall go out no more:

• There is also a promise of permanence in the new life with God. No more roaming but stability, a place of security and care. It should be remembered that this place like others in Asia Minor were subject to many earthquakes and this in turn produces insecurity. God will remove all such concerns.


V3:12 (Reward) Will write on him the name of My God (Father):

• Revelation 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads.

The name of the city of my God (the New Jerusalem):

• Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels,

Write on him My new Name(Christ's name):

• Revelation 19:12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself.

• Revelation 19:16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 27 House of Intercessory Prayer Ministries

Conclusion • It seems that some of the Philadelphia church will be

around at Christ's return. Otherwise, there would be no need to mention the hour of temptation or trial that would come upon the whole earth—this is not some minor tribulation taking place in a corner of Asia Minor but an event happening all over the world. That has not happened yet.

• Today we are more like the church of Philadelphia.

– Church of opportunity

– You have little strength

– You have kept the word of God

– You have not denied my name


Summary The Lord introduce himself to the church as • He who is holy • He who is true • He who has the key of David • He who opens and no one shuts, shuts and no one opens Then He Characterized the church of Philadelphia • As a church to whom I have set a open door • You have a little strength. • You have kept my Word • You have not denied the name of the Lord. Some of the promises • I will make them (the synagogue of Satan, who say they are

Jews and are not)come and worship before your feet • and to know that I have loved you • I also will keep you from the hour of trial


Summary Instruction

• I am coming quickly

• Hold fast

• that no one may take your crown

Promises:

• Make him a pillar in the temple of my God

• Shall go out no more

• Will write on him the name of My God (Father)

• The name of the city of my God (the New Jerusalem)

• Write on him My new Name(Christ's name)


of Jesus Christ · •This city was the youngest of the seven churches. •Lacking an heir, Attalus...

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