F. Letter to Philadelphia. 3:7-13 - The faithful Church I. Church period - Year 1730 A.D. to the rapture. The missionary age. A. The missionary movement that brought the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Church again. B. The missionary movement that took the vision, mission and commandment of Jesus to itself to evangelise the whole world. C. The Church period presently exits in various ways as denominational and non-denominational churches and will continue until the rapture. II. Connection to the 7 churches of Paul: Thessalonians (Rapture) III. Connection to the 7 parables of Jesus: The pearl. Matt. 13:45-46 IV. Philadelphia means brotherly love. V. . A. Placed about 30 miles from Sardis. B. Had a great Jewish population. C. Today Philadelphia is called Alasehir. D. Philadelphia was a wine-producing city. V.7 a) The Counsellor - I. Holy and True reveals the seriousness of what He is about to say. Jesus is saying: I Am genuine, the real One. II. The key of David refers to the key of the house of the Lord and to David’ s throne during the Millennium. Luke 1:32 It reveals Christ’ s authority as King. Isaiah 9:6-7; 22:20-22 III. There is only one key, no one can open or close except the key owner. Job 12:14; Matt.28:18 V.8 b) The Commendation - I. Placed them before an open door - A. Perhaps the Jews coming to the faith. 3:9 B. Evangelistic door. 1.Cor.16:9; 2.Cor.2:12; Col.4:3 C. A door to experience the future messianic kingdom of Christ on earth. Rev.20:4-6 II. The Church: A. Power was little. Little in Greek is “ mikros” where we get the English word: Micro. B. Prevented my Word from being lost. Believed the Inspired Word of God. C. Proclaimed His Name and had not denied it. Believed the Incarnation of the Son of God. III. This church had perhaps a focus upon the Lost, Power, Word and Christ. V.9 I. Jews that resist Christ is called the synagogue of Satan because of their resistance of Christ. John 8:31-59 II. True Jews in God’ s eyes are those that have separated themselves to God. Rom.2:28-29 III. Jesus would draw them to the church. John 6:44; 16:7-11 IV. The Jews would: A. Arrive at the church. B. Adore the Lord with them. C. Acknowledge Christ’ s love for the church (Gentiles). V. Worship before their feet speaks not of the Jews worshipping them, but with them. Isaiah 60:14 VI. Before (Gr.enopion) means in the face of. Literally “ worship in the face of your feet” . VII. The Jews will acknowledge at the 2nd coming of Christ the election of the Gentiles. Is.45:14; Ezek.36:23; 37:28; Zech.8:20-23 V.10 I. Perseverance they kept and therefore a Promise is given. Heb.10:36 II. The hour of trial is the great tribulation, only this trial will cover the whole world. This tribulation will be allowed to divide the good from the evil, the wheat from the tares. Matt.13:30, 47-50 III. This promise to be kept from the hour of trial upon the whole world, proves 2 things: A. That the 7 messages is not only messages to these past churches but to all churches at all times, for such a trial has not yet impacted the whole world, only regions has been impacted with tribulation. B. That Jesus will keep the Church from the great tribulation through Rapture. 1.Thes.1:10; 5:9 V.11 d) The Counsel - I. Coming - I will come quickly - The rapture. II. Challenge - Hold fast what you have, to their micro power, keeping of His Word and proclamations of Jesus. III. Crown - These 3 keepings would release them a crown. V.12-13e) The Challenge - I. To him who overcomes, who does not loose faith. 1.John 5:4-5 II. Carriers - A pillar in God’ s temple, perhaps a carrier of the purposes of God. Isaiah 56:5; Psalms 23:6; Gal.2:9; 1.Cor.3:16-17; 2.Cor.6:16; Eph.2:19-22; 1.Pet.2:4-10 III. Constancy - The overcomer will find full satisfaction in God. IV. Certification - The overcomer will be sealed with God’ s ownership. V. Citizens - The overcomer will be a part of the city of God - Jerusalem. VI. Coming - The new Jerusalem will come down on the new earth. 21:1-2, 10 VII. Character - Jesus new name that explains His heavenly calling and character will be written on the overcomer. He will understand who Jesus is. VIII. Charge - Those who has spiritual desire to hear the voice of the Spirit will be Attentive to the words and Act on it. Matt.13:9 IX. The custom of the people of Philadelphia was to erect a pillar and write the name of conquerors on it. Jesus would erect the believers of Philadelphia as pillars in His spiritual temple and write not their names but 3 greater names: God, new Jerusalem and His own new name. Philadelphia and Pergamos connected: A. In Philadelphia Satan’ s synagogue is mentioned. 3:9 B. In Pergamos Satan’ s throne is mentioned. 2:13