Philadelphia was a city in modern-day Turkey, which was
rebuilt in AD 17 and was on the route of a major highway to other places. The church was the youngest of those written
to, and is labelled “the faithful church”.
John’s letter to the church is really a letter about Jesus. Let’s see what it reveals about Him.
Jesus is The Holy One
“These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds
the key of David” v7.
“I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour. I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba
in your stead” (Is 43 v 4).
Jesus is our
saviour, who has redeemed us, he is alive now and is the Holy One. Out of revelation of His holiness we also are
called to be holy (1 Pet 1 v 16).
Jesus is The True One
“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us
understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is
true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life” 1
Jn 5 v 20. We shall know the truth and
the truth will set us free (Jn 8 v 32).
When we know and believe the truth about salvation we have
salvation, when we know and believe the truth about healing we have healing. When we know and believe the truth in any
area we are freed in that area, but actually it is not just knowing God’s word
that does this, it is knowing Jesus, who is God’s word and who is the truth.
Jesus holds the Key
of David
Jesus “holds the key of David. What he opens no one can
shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (v7).
“I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David;
what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” Is 22 v 22.
Jesus has the key, the authority, to open
things for us, and to shut things. We often
live our lives as if this is not true, we need to believe God can open things
for us, and shut things for us.
Jesus lays before us
an open door
“See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can
shut. I know that you have little
strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name” v8.
If we follow Jesus in the best way we can, with the strength
we have, He will assist us and help us, and lay before us a wide-open door. It may be a door of healing, of miracles, or of
wisdom.
Jesus works when we do
not deny Him
God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, for when we are
weak then in Christ we are strong (2 Cor 12 : 9-10).
We must keep His word, walk with Him in difficulty, and not
deny his name. We must not deny the
truth of his word, i.e. not deny Jesus the opportunity to work. For example, when we see a sick person it is
an opportunity for Jesus to heal them through us.
Jesus reveals himself
to others through us
“I will make them come and fall down at your feet and
acknowledge that I have loved you” v9.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my
cup overflows” Ps 23 v 5.
People will see Jesus in us, and acknowledge this,
recognising that we are loved and blessed by God. Jesus loves us, we can run to Him. There is no need to hang back and keep Him at
a distance.
Jesus protects us
“Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will
also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world
to test the inhabitants of the earth” v10.
This is a promise from Jesus to keep us from the hour of
trial, no matter whether that trial is tomorrow morning or at the end of the
age. Our confidence is in Jesus, no
matter what our circumstances are.
Jesus has a victor’s
crown for us
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one
will take your crown” v11.
“Blessed is
the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person
will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”
Jam 1 v 12.
Don’t let anybody rob you of your crown. Don’t let anyone talk you out of believing the
truth you know, or out of believing that God can do “immeasurably more than all
we ask or imagine” (Eph 3 v 20).
Jesus marks us with
His name
“I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the
city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my
God; and I will also write on them my new name” v12.
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Tell Aaron and his sons, “This is
how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ‘“‘The Lord bless you and
keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord
turn his face towards you and give you peace.’”
‘So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.’” (Num
6 v 22).
Jesus loves us and puts His name on us and blesses us.
Jesus calls us closer
“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the
churches” v13.
The job of the Holy Spirit is to reveal Jesus. The Holy Spirit is calling each of us to listen
to Him, to draw nearer to Jesus so that we have fresh revelation of Him.
Questions
1. Jesus is the One who is holy and true (v7) and knowing the truth
sets us free. What truths have brought you
new faith and freedom in recent months?
2. Jesus says “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so
that no one will take your crown” (v11).
Is there an area where you feel something is trying to rob you of your crown
(victory)?
3. Jesus says “I know that you have little strength, yet you
have kept my word and have not denied my name” (v8). Where do
you feel you have little strength, but need to act in faith and so not deny
Jesus the opportunity to work?
4. Jesus opens things no one can shut, and shuts things no one
can open (v7). What do you need Jesus to
open or shut for you? [Spend some time
praying for each other].
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