Study of the Book of Revelation: Chapter 3
by Pastor Jim Summerson

THE SEVEN CHURCHES
PART III - THE PHILADELPHIA CHURCH
Text: Revelation 3:7-13 Revelation 2 - 3

  1. INTRODUCTION - PHILADELPHIA

    1. Philadelphia means "Brotherly Love"

    2. "Just as Sardis came out of Thyatria, a protest against it, so Philadephia comes out of Sardis and is a protest against the dead, lifeless, Spiritless condition prevailing in Prostestantism." (Vallowe)

    3. Period of 1750 to the Rapture

  2. THE CHURCH

    1. Place in History

      1. Assembly, v.8

      2. Author

        1. "is holy" v.7
          Holiness is an essential attribute of Diety

        2. "is true" v.7
          He is right in character and conduct
          Holiness and truth go hand in hand

          • Note: I John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

        3. "hath the key of David" v.7
          refers to His authority, Rev. 1:5

        4. "I have set before thee an open door"

          • door of salvation, Rev. 1:5
          • door of service,
            I Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
            II Corinthians 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
          • door of Heaven, Revelation 3:10; 4:1

      3. Actual City Today
        Allen-Sheba with 20,000 people, many are Christians

    2. Place in Prophecy

      1. Great revivals and missionary movements in 18th and 20th century

      2. During this Church age, God worked in a thrilling manner that produced revivals, which in turn produced what is known today as the Modern Missionary Movement.

      3. Two reasons for the Missionary Movement were:

        1. Printing of the Bible in the language of the people.

        2. Increased interest in the second coming of Christ.
          "To the last four churches the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of His return, showing that all four prophetic phases will be in evidence, Sardis' coldness more and more apparent, and Laodicea's worldliness increasing with every passing year, blind indeed, must be the eyes that do not see that faithful Philadelphia must be living near the "shout" and the "open door". (Vallowe)

  3. THE COMMENDATION, v.8

  4. HIS COUNSEL, v.11

    1. "Behold I Come Quickly"

    2. "Hold Fast"
      Note: 3 basic elements for building a spiritual church, evangelism, missions, Bible teaching

  5. THE CHALLENGE, v.12, 13

    1. Challenge to overcome

    2. Promise of stability ("pillar")

    3. Honor of being identified with Christ

  6. CONCLUSION:

    1. As Sardis came out of Thyatira, so Philadelphia came out of Sardis

    2. Philadelphia Church's Characteristics defines every Fundamental, Bible Believing Church in the world today.

      1. Believed His Word

      2. Practiced His Word

      3. Upheld His Name

  7. INTRODUCTION - LAODICEA, 3:14-22

    1. CHRIST'S COMMENDATION OF THE CHURCH

      1. None

      2. His description of Himself, 3:14

    2. CHURCH'S COMMENDATION OF ITSELF, 3:17

      1. "Rich and Increased with Goods"

      2. "Have Need of Nothing"

    3. CHRIST'S CONDEMNATION OF THE CHURCH, 3:15-17

      1. "Know thy works . . . Thou art neither hot nor cold, v.15

      2. "Thou are lukewarm", v.16

      3. Her priorities were wrong, v.17

        1. They are sickeningly lukewarm, v.16

        2. They are deceived about themselves and what is really important, v.17

      4. They were "wretched and miserable", v.17

      5. They were "poor", v.17

      6. They were "blind", v.17; NOTE: 3:18c

      7. They were naked, v.17 (Clothed with religion instead of the righteousness of Christ)

    4. CHRIST'S COUNSEL TO THE CHURCH, 3:18-19

      1. "Buy of Me Gold"

        1. 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

        2. Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

      2. "White Raiment"

        1. Revelation 3:5 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.

        2. Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

      3. "Anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see"

        1. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

        2. John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

      4. "Be zealous and repent", v.19

    5. CHRIST'S CALL TO INDIVIDUALS, 3:20-22

      1. He calls through His Word - John 5:24 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.

      2. He calls through His People - Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

      3. He calls through His Holy Spirit - John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

      4. Providence - "God's gentle alignment of the affairs of a man's life that continually point him to his need of inviting Jesus into his heart."

    6. CHRIST'S CHALLENGE TO THE LAODICEAN CHURCH, 3:18-21

      • "The ultimate victory of the Christian not seen in this life but in the life to come, is a challenge to faithfulness."