THE BOOK OF REVELATION
( Steadfast Love - September 6, 2020)
Series Big Idea: "God has revealed His plans for the consummation of human history"
Sermon Big Idea: "Christ's love for His Church can never be reversed by the world's hatred for them"
Key Scripture (Revelation 3:7-13)
Introduction
There are numerous types of ropes that are appropriate for different rock climbing scenarios, but the basic function of the rope remains the same; it will catch you if you fall. The power in the rope is not realized while you are climbing with confidence with steady hands and strong arms. But if you slip, you will truly realize the safety and strength of the rope.
The sixth church that Jesus addresses in this Book of Revelation is the church at Philadelphia. This church and the church at Smyrna are the only two that Jesus had no words of rebuke. And although Jesus said in this letter that they didn’t have much strength, He promised the most to the weakest church.
(Revelation 3:7-13)
7 “Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia: “The Holy One, the True One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and closes and no one opens says: 8 I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close. 9 Take note! I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—note this—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12 The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. 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 My new name. 13 “Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.
Christ is described in this message as the "Holy One and the True One." This is to demonstrate the deity of Christ. Jesus is not only God in the flesh but He is faithful. These people at this church had been persecuted and even kicked out of the synagogue for their belief in Christ. So these words would have been an enormous encouragement for them.
The emphasis and the thrust of what Jesus said in these verses to this church seems to be meant to help them realize that He is doing something new in the world and that no human could ever halt or defeat Christ building His Church with anyone who would accept Him as the Savior of the world. Some of the Jews in the synagogue felt they were the only ones to inherit God's promise of the kingdom.
Jesus said they had kept His command to endure and promised them spiritual protection. This promise of security would have especially been meaningful to these people. First of all they had been forced out of the synagogue and secondly they lived in an area that was prone to earthquakes. In His consummated Kingdom He promised them they would never again be booted out of their place of worship or the place where they lived. They are promised a permanent citizenship in God's Kingdom.
CONCLUSION
Church, our success in this faith journey we are on is not determined by the power or prestige in the eyes of the world, but by our willingness to hang on and persevere in our obedience to Christ Jesus.
You may be feeling you are weak and powerless in the eyes of this world and even in the eyes of other Christians but these words especially in verse 8 should resonate with us. He knows we have little strength, but yet we are continuing to obey Him. It is not the world or even religious leaders that determine who gets into His kingdom, it is Jesus and Jesus alone!
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Pastor Beaver's thoughts and ideals for this message, are inspired by:
Holman Christian Standard Bible
English Standard Version Bible
King James Version Bible
Christian Standard Bible
The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord/Roy B. Zuck
The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge by Jerome H. Smith
Water, Mark, ed. Encyclopedia of Bible Facts. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2004. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.
NIV, Archaeological Study Bible, eBook: An Illustrated Walk Through Biblical History and Culture
Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Duane Garrett, and Walter C. Kaiser Jr.
NIV, First-Century Study Bible, eBook: Explore Scripture in Its Jewish and Early Christian Context
Zondervan, Kent Dobson, and Ed Dobson
Hughes, Robert B. and J. Carl Laney. Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. Revised edition of New Bible Companion.
Akin, Daniel L. Exalting Jesus in Revelation. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2016. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Easley, Kendell. Revelation. Edited by Max Anders. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1998. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Keener, Craig. Revelation: From biblical text...to contemporary life. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Patterson, Paige. Volume 39: Revelation. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 2012. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
Duvall, J. Scott. Revelation. Ed. Mark L. Strauss and John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2014. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.
Morris, Leon. Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 20. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1987. Print. Tyndale New Testament Commentaries.
James H. Bolick, Sermon Outlines from the Word, Sermon Outline Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1987), 8.
Carr, Alan. Revelation. Lenoir, NC: Alan Carr, 2012. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
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