The Text …
7 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; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 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. 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. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
***
Talking about the “door” of the synagogue that had no doubt closed to these fervent Christians at Philadelphia … in John chapter 9 the man born blind was also excommunicated from an apostate synagogue!
John 9:34-35 … They (the unbelieving Pharisees) answered and said unto him (the healed man), Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
Here the poor man’s excommunication from religion brought him straight into the arms of Jesus, to real salvation!
***
Paul the Apostle, like the Philadelphian Christians, had “little strength!” And here’s the way that great man adapted …
“And he (the Lord) said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (little strength). Most gladly therefore will I (Paul) rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
1 Corinthians 12:9
***
Jesus’ three interruptions, specific things He is doing (or will do) for these faithful saints at Philadelphia …
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Verse 12 … Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Notice the “I will” Statements!
Be faithful to the Lord … HE WILL BLESS YOU!
***
In teaching God’s Word, I often call the Seven Year Tribulation by the name Jeremiah used for it. Here’s that Reference …
Jeremiah 30:7 … Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.
***
Can a Chrisitan lose (not his salvation) his rewards, her crowns for serving the Lord? Yes … and here is part of why I believe so …
Verse 11 … “loss of reward” …
2 John 8 … Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
1 Corinthians 3:15 … If any man’s work shall be burned (at the Judgment Seat of Christ), he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
***
It was interesting to learn that the precise term “New Jerusalem” is only found twice in the whole Bible! Both times in the Book of Revelation … at 3:12 and again at 21:2. But look at what Ezekiel calls that glorious City in the very last verse of his Prophecy …
“And the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.” Ezekiel 48:35
What a Name!
***
Wow, watch the Class if you can …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
.