The city of Philadelphia did not have the ancient history o - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1
Slide2

The city of Philadelphia did not have the ancient history of many others of the seven churches of the Revelation. At the time of the writing of the letter, it was only a little

over

two hundred

years old. However, it was established on a piece of ground that was especially

strategic

. Philadelphia was built on the site where the borders of three countries met:

Mysia

, Lydia, and Phrygia.Slide3

The city of Philadelphia did not have the ancient history of many others of the seven churches of the Revelation. At the time of the writing of the letter, it was only a little over

two

hundred

years old. However, it was established on a piece of ground that was especially

strategic

. Philadelphia was built on the site where the borders of three countries met:

Mysia

, Lydia, and Phrygia.Slide4

The city of Philadelphia did not have the ancient history of many others of the seven churches of the Revelation. At the time of the writing of the letter, it was only a little over

two

hundred

years old. However, it was established on a piece of ground that was especially

strategic

. Philadelphia was built on the site where the borders of three countries met:

Mysia

, Lydia, and Phrygia.Slide5

There had, for many hundreds of years, been some kind of settlement at the site, for it was on a highway that connected the mid east with Europe. When King

Xerses

began his westward expansion, he camped on the site and wrote of it in his journals. But only in 140 B.C. was the frontier settlement really transformed into what could be called a city. Slide6

It was named Philadelphia, which means the city of

brotherly

love. Probably, somewhere near its 200th birthday, the

gospel

came to the people of the city; people who believed were born again, and a church was born.Slide7

It was named Philadelphia, which means the city of

brotherly

love. Probably, somewhere near its 200th birthday, the

gospel

came to the people of the city; people who believed were born again, and a church was born.Slide8

It was named Philadelphia, which means the city of

brotherly

love. Probably, somewhere near its 200th birthday, the

gospel

came to the people of the city; people who believed were born again, and a church was born.Slide9

The Church at Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Slide10

9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Slide11

12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Slide12

Already the task of interpreting the Revelation is getting easier. Some of the things we have worked through are being repeated, so we understand them even as we read them.

3:7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:Slide13

We know the angel is the messenger to the church, very probably the pastor who brings the message from the Risen Christ to the church at Philadelphia. We might be tempted to bypass the word “true,” because we know that means the opposite of false. We should be careful, however, and remember that the

original

is not in our language, so a meaning that appears plain to us may be different in the Greek. Slide14

We know the angel is the messenger to the church, very probably the pastor who brings the message from the Risen Christ to the church at Philadelphia. We might be tempted to bypass the word “true,” because we know that means the opposite of false. We should be careful, however, and remember that the

original

is not in our language, so a meaning that appears plain to us may be different in the Greek. Slide15

It is always good to do at least a quick word study on any important words in a passage. The description of Jesus here is a good case in point. There is a word in Greek that means “true” as opposed to “false,” but that is not the word here. The word here means “real” and “

genuine

.” Jesus is the genuine Son of God and Lord over all!Slide16

It is always good to do at least a quick word study on any important words in a passage. The description of Jesus here is a good case in point. There is a word in Greek that means “true” as opposed to “false,” but that is not the word here. The word here means “real” and “

genuine

.” Jesus is the genuine Son of God and Lord over all!Slide17

So, what does

“He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:

If we use a search engine to find all the places where the words “key” and “David” appear together, we only find

two

in the whole Bible! Rev. 3:7 is one of course, and the other is Isa. 22:22

.Slide18

So, what does

“He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:

If we use a search engine to find all the places where the words “key” and “David” appear together, we only find

two

in the whole Bible! Rev. 3:7 is one of course, and the other is Isa. 22:22

.Slide19

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. Slide20

Wow! This description of Christ is being drawn from these words of Isaiah. What did they mean in Isaiah? They were written about

Eliakim

, the faithful

steward

of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah gave

Eliakim

the key to the royal palace so that no one had access to the

palace

(built by David) or to the king except through this faithful servant. Slide21

Wow! This description of Christ is being drawn from these words of Isaiah. What did they mean in Isaiah? They were written about

Eliakim

, the faithful

steward

of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah gave

Eliakim

the key to the royal palace so that no one had access to the

palace

(built by David) or to the king except through this faithful servant. Slide22

Wow! This description of Christ is being drawn from these words of Isaiah. What did they mean in Isaiah? They were written about

Eliakim

, the faithful

steward

of King Hezekiah. Hezekiah gave

Eliakim

the key to the royal palace so that no one had access to the

palace

(built by David) or to the king except through this faithful servant. Slide23

So the Exalted Christ came to be a servant, and God the Father has given Him the key, so that only those whom He admits shall enter the

Heavenly

Palace and have access to its

Eternal

King!Slide24

So the Exalted Christ came to be a servant, and God the Father has given Him the key, so that only those whom He admits shall enter the

Heavenly

Palace and have access to its

Eternal

King!Slide25

So the Exalted Christ came to be a servant, and God the Father has given Him the key, so that only those whom He admits shall enter the

Heavenly

Palace and have access to its

Eternal

King!Slide26

There is further meaning for the people and the church of Philadelphia. Philadelphia was built as a missionary city to spread Greek

influence

to the wild lands of Phrygia. Now Christ had caused the church at Philadelphia to be specially positioned to take them the

gospel

of Jesus Christ. Slide27

There is further meaning for the people and the church of Philadelphia. Philadelphia was built as a missionary city to spread Greek

influence

to the wild lands of Phrygia. Now Christ had caused the church at Philadelphia to be specially positioned to take them the

gospel

of Jesus Christ. Slide28

There is further meaning for the people and the church of Philadelphia. Philadelphia was built as a missionary city to spread Greek

influence

to the wild lands of Phrygia. Now Christ had caused the church at Philadelphia to be specially positioned to take them the

gospel

of Jesus Christ. Slide29

The opportunity came from Him Who has the key of David, the One with the right and power to open or close admission to the King’s house, the One who is the exclusive way to the Father. He, Jesus Himself, opened the door of missionary opportunity to the church of Philadelphia.Slide30

Interestingly, Jesus gave His

disciples

the keys to the kingdom. He told them that whoever they let in with the keys would be admitted in heaven. The “keys to the kingdom” is the

gospel

.

Historically, the church at Philadelphia seized the opportunity and was faithful to the task. Slide31

Interestingly, Jesus gave His

disciples

the keys to the kingdom. He told them that whoever they let in with the keys would be admitted in heaven. The “keys to the kingdom” is the

gospel

.

Historically, the church at Philadelphia seized the opportunity and was faithful to the task. Slide32

Interestingly, Jesus gave His

disciples

the keys to the kingdom. He told them that whoever they let in with the keys would be admitted in heaven. The “keys to the kingdom” is the

gospel

.

Historically, the church at Philadelphia seized the opportunity and was faithful to the task. Slide33

3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

The church had little

earthly

strength, but they kept God’s Word -

obeyed

. They did not deny the Lord’s name. And of all seven of the churches of the Revelation, Philadelphia was by far the most

mission

minded. Slide34

3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

The church had little

earthly

strength, but they kept God’s Word -

obeyed

. They did not deny the Lord’s name. And of all seven of the churches of the Revelation, Philadelphia was by far the most

mission

minded. Slide35

3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

The church had little

earthly

strength, but they kept God’s Word -

obeyed

. They did not deny the Lord’s name. And of all seven of the churches of the Revelation, Philadelphia was by far the most

mission

minded. Slide36

3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

The church had little

earthly

strength, but they kept God’s Word -

obeyed

. They did not deny the Lord’s name. And of all seven of the churches of the Revelation, Philadelphia was by far the most

mission

minded. Slide37

Indeed, the church at Philadelphia remained faithful across the years to the risen Christ. When

Islam

later swept across Asia Minor, Philadelphia was the last of the cities to fall. Even then, it did not fall by lack of courage or strength; but because the Christians of Philadelphia were

betrayed

by the “Christians” of Byzantium.Slide38

Indeed, the church at Philadelphia remained faithful across the years to the risen Christ. When

Islam

later swept across Asia Minor, Philadelphia was the last of the cities to fall. Even then, it did not fall by lack of courage or strength; but because the Christians of Philadelphia were

betrayed

by the “Christians” of Byzantium.Slide39

Indeed, the church at Philadelphia remained faithful across the years to the risen Christ. When

Islam

later swept across Asia Minor, Philadelphia was the last of the cities to fall. Even then, it did not fall by lack of courage or strength; but because the Christians of Philadelphia were

betrayed

by the “Christians” of Byzantium.Slide40

3:9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

Remember that Smyrna was also the residence of the “Synagogue of Satan.” In our study of the message to the church at Smyrna we noted this about the “Synagogue of Satan.”Slide41

That is not, of course, the name inscribed above the door of the building. If it were like virtually every other synagogue in the world at the time, its official title was “The Synagogue of the

Lord

.”Slide42

That is not, of course, the name inscribed above the door of the building. If it were like virtually every other synagogue in the world at the time, its official title was “The Synagogue of the

Lord

.”Slide43

This was the name given the synagogue in Smyrna which was filled with Jews who both were willing themselves to

accommodate

Caesar worship, but who also despised

Christians

because of their faith in Jesus as Messiah.Slide44

This was the name given the synagogue in Smyrna which was filled with Jews who both were willing themselves to

accommodate

Caesar worship, but who also despised

Christians

because of their faith in Jesus as Messiah.Slide45

This was the name given the synagogue in Smyrna which was filled with Jews who both were willing themselves to

accommodate

Caesar worship, but who also despised

Christians

because of their faith in Jesus as Messiah.Slide46

These Jews kept careful tabs on all the Christians and were more than eager to

tattle

to the Roman officials that this Christian or that had no certification of their required worship of Caesar.Slide47

These Jews kept careful tabs on all the Christians and were more than eager to

tattle

to the Roman officials that this Christian or that had no certification of their required worship of Caesar.Slide48

It is important to note than only the church at Philadelphia and the church at Smyrna were offered the unmodified praise of our Lord.

One

was the church that remained faithful in persecution.

One was the church that was faithful to missionary opportunity.Slide49

The Philadelphia Period: A.D. 1750 - 1900

A great move of God in

England

and America prepared the church for the door of opportunity the Lord was about to open.Slide50

The Philadelphia Period: A.D. 1750 - 1900

A great move of God in

England

and America prepared the church for the door of opportunity the Lord was about to open.Slide51

The evangelical revival in England awakened the

passions

of many believers and led to the conversion of many others.

The Great

Awakening

in America did the same

.

For the first time since the earliest centuries of the church, much of the church was aflame for Christ,

fervent

in faith, and had a growing passion to

proclaim

the gospel to reach lost souls.Slide52

The evangelical revival in England awakened the

passions

of many believers and led to the conversion of many others.

The Great

Awakening

in America did the same

.

For the first time since the earliest centuries of the church, much of the church was aflame for Christ,

fervent

in faith, and had a growing passion to

proclaim

the gospel to reach lost souls.Slide53

The evangelical revival in England awakened the

passions

of many believers and led to the conversion of many others.

The Great

Awakening

in America did the same

.

For the first time since the earliest centuries of the church, much of the church was aflame for Christ,

fervent

in faith, and had a growing passion to

proclaim

the gospel to reach lost souls.Slide54

The evangelical revival in England awakened the

passions

of many believers and led to the conversion of many others.

The Great

Awakening

in America did the same

.

For the first time since the earliest centuries of the church, much of the church was aflame for Christ,

fervent

in faith, and had a growing passion to

proclaim

the gospel to reach lost souls.Slide55

The evangelical revival in England awakened the

passions

of many believers and led to the conversion of many others.

The Great

Awakening

in America did the same

.

For the first time since the earliest centuries of the church, much of the church was aflame for Christ,

fervent

in faith, and had a growing passion to

proclaim

the gospel to reach lost souls.Slide56

God raised up men and women out of His faithful churches to communicate His vision of taking the gospel to every

nation

.

Such

was William Carey, a Baptist

shoemaker

and then a preacher.Slide57

God raised up men and women out of His faithful churches to communicate His vision of taking the gospel to every

nation

.

Such

was William Carey, a Baptist

shoemaker

and then a preacher.Slide58

God raised up men and women out of His faithful churches to communicate His vision of taking the gospel to every

nation

.

Such

was William Carey, a Baptist

shoemaker

and then a preacher.Slide59

Carey went from praying for the people of the world while looking at a home-made map he had pieced together from scraps of

leather

to being a missionary himself to the people of

India

.

Carey not only labored in translating the Scriptures to the language of the people he served, but his letters provided stirring messages that God used to call others into evangelistic

missionary

service

.Slide60

Carey went from praying for the people of the world while looking at a home-made map he had pieced together from scraps of

leather

to being a missionary himself to the people of

India

.

Carey not only labored in translating the Scriptures to the language of the people he served, but his letters provided stirring messages that God used to call others into evangelistic

missionary

service

.Slide61

Carey went from praying for the people of the world while looking at a home-made map he had pieced together from scraps of

leather

to being a missionary himself to the people of

India

.

Carey not only labored in translating the Scriptures to the language of the people he served, but his letters provided stirring messages that God used to call others into evangelistic

missionary

service

.Slide62

Carey went from praying for the people of the world while looking at a home-made map he had pieced together from scraps of

leather

to being a missionary himself to the people of

India

.

Carey not only labored in translating the Scriptures to the language of the people he served, but his letters provided stirring messages that God used to call others into evangelistic

missionary

service

.Slide63

By the mid 18th century, evangelistic missionary

societies

were springing up in America, England, and Europe.

For the next 150 years, the number of

missionaries

from numerous evangelical denominations multiplied.

And as more missionaries were sent, God

opened

the doors for them to be received in the nations around the world.Slide64

By the mid 18th century, evangelistic missionary

societies

were springing up in America, England, and Europe.

For the next 150 years, the number of

missionaries

from numerous evangelical denominations multiplied.

And as more missionaries were sent, God

opened

the doors for them to be received in the nations around the world.Slide65

By the mid 18th century, evangelistic missionary

societies

were springing up in America, England, and Europe.

For the next 150 years, the number of

missionaries

from numerous evangelical denominations multiplied.

And as more missionaries were sent, God

opened

the doors for them to be received in the nations around the world.Slide66

By the mid 18th century, evangelistic missionary

societies

were springing up in America, England, and Europe.

For the next 150 years, the number of

missionaries

from numerous evangelical denominations multiplied.

And as more missionaries were sent, God

opened

the doors for them to be received in the nations around the world.Slide67

It was the

season

when God opened the door, and no man could shut it. Even in countries today like China that have officially closed their doors to Christ and the gospel, underground churches continue to spread the good news, churches that have their

roots

in these days of open door missionary opportunity.Slide68

It was the

season

when God opened the door, and no man could shut it. Even in countries today like China that have officially closed their doors to Christ and the gospel, underground churches continue to spread the good news, churches that have their

roots

in these days of open door missionary opportunity.Slide69

It was the

season

when God opened the door, and no man could shut it. Even in countries today like China that have officially closed their doors to Christ and the gospel, underground churches continue to spread the good news, churches that have their

roots

in these days of open door missionary opportunity.Slide70

The Philadelphia Church Today

There are still Philadelphia churches in existence today.Slide71

Although we live in a day in which the

Laodicean

church is predominant, we can choose to be a Philadelphian church.

Any

Christian, any church can choose to be the person or church who is faithful to the open door of evangelistic and missionary opportunity which God gives.Slide72

Although we live in a day in which the

Laodicean

church is predominant, we can choose to be a Philadelphian church.

Any

Christian, any church can choose to be the person or church who is faithful to the open door of evangelistic and missionary opportunity which God gives.Slide73

What are some of the characteristics of the Philadelphian church today?

It

is a church which has the

vision

of the door Christ has opened, which sees the fields

white

for harvest, and walks through it according to the mandate of

Acts 1:8

. Slide74

What are some of the characteristics of the Philadelphian church today?

It

is a church which has the

vision

of the door Christ has opened, which sees the fields

white

for harvest, and walks through it according to the mandate of

Acts 1:8

. Slide75

What are some of the characteristics of the Philadelphian church today?

It

is a church which has the

vision

of the door Christ has opened, which sees the fields

white

for harvest, and walks through it according to the mandate of

Acts 1:8

. Slide76

What are some of the characteristics of the Philadelphian church today?

It

is a church which has the

vision

of the door Christ has opened, which sees the fields

white

for harvest, and walks through it according to the mandate of

Acts 1:8

. Slide77

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Slide78

It is the church that will

persevere

.

3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Note the warning of the “hour of trial” that will come on the whole earth. Jesus spoke of it in Mt. 24. This is the

tribulation

. But true believers will be raptured out before it begins!Slide79

It is the church that will

persevere

.

3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Note the warning of the “hour of trial” that will come on the whole earth. Jesus spoke of it in Mt. 24. This is the

tribulation

. But true believers will be raptured out before it begins!Slide80

It is the church that will

persevere

.

3:10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

Note the warning of the “hour of trial” that will come on the whole earth. Jesus spoke of it in Mt. 24. This is the

tribulation

. But true believers will be raptured out before it begins!Slide81

It is a church which is looking for the soon coming of Christ and therefore has an

urgency

about its work.

3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

Crowns are given as

rewards

to believers. Five crowns are mentioned in the New Testament that are available. Can you find them?Slide82

It is a church which is looking for the soon coming of Christ and therefore has an

urgency

about its work.

3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

Crowns are given as

rewards

to believers. Five crowns are mentioned in the New Testament that are available. Can you find them?Slide83

It is a church which is looking for the soon coming of Christ and therefore has an

urgency

about its work.

3:11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.

Crowns are given as

rewards

to believers. Five crowns are mentioned in the New Testament that are available. Can you find them?Slide84

It is a church of people who are genuinely born again.

3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

The overcomer (true

believer

) will become a pillar, a permanent

support

, for the spiritual building God is erecting.Slide85

It is a church of people who are genuinely born again.

3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

The overcomer (true

believer

) will become a pillar, a permanent

support

, for the spiritual building God is erecting.Slide86

It is a church of people who are genuinely born again.

3:12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

The overcomer (true

believer

) will become a pillar, a permanent

support

, for the spiritual building God is erecting.Slide87

It is a church which cherishes heavenly reward more than earthly

comfort

.

It is a church which

listens

to God.

3:13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Slide88

It is a church which cherishes heavenly reward more than earthly

comfort

.

It is a church which

listens

to God.

3:13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Slide89

It is a church which cherishes heavenly reward more than earthly

comfort

.

It is a church which

listens

to God.

3:13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Slide90

CONCLUSION: Do you want our church to be more and more that kind of church? If you do not, would you pray for God to change your desires and cause you to want what He wants?