YAHWEH FATHER’S THRONE IN HEAVEN
Revelation 4:1-11
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. The revealing of the glory and awesomeness of Yahweh Father’s throne in heaven
(Revelation 4:1-6).
A. This is the start of a new section of prophecy that goes from Revelation 4:1 – 22:5. It starts with the sovereign throne of Yahweh and ends with the establishment of the New Heaven and New Earth. John seems to tie vision after vision together with words like “after these things” which give primarily a futuristic idea (Rev. 1:19, 4:1, 7:1, 9, 9:12, 15:5, 18:1, 19:1, 20:3).
B. The Apostle John next sees a door that had been opened in heaven and hears the powerful trumpet voice of Yahweh Jesus inviting him into the open door for a look into future events (Rev. 4:1; Rev. 1:10, 19).
1. Up until now John received his vision of the glorified Christ (Rev. 1:1-20) and Christ’s message to the seven churches (Rev. 2:1 – 3:22) while probably in his cave on the isle of Patmos. Now he is given a vision which elevates him to the vantage point of heaven.
2. Many believers see the rapture (“catching up” Greek “harpazo” I Thes.4:17) of the church as occurring before (between Rev. 3:10 – 4:1) or at Rev. 4:1. Believers who hold to this position believe that Christ will rapture His church before the seven years of tribulation that will come on this earth as prophesied in Daniel 9:27, 12:1; Matt. 24:4-29; 2 Thes. 2:3-10; and
Rev. 6:1 – 19:10 and so are called pretribulational.
C. As John went through the open door of heaven (in the spirit, in his vision), he immediately is struck by the awesomeness of the throne of Yahweh Father! (Rev. 4:2; I Kings 22:19; Isa. 6:1-4; Ezek. 1:26-28). With the inspiration of Yahweh’s Spirit, he describes it for us in Rev. 4:3-6. The concept of the throne of Yahweh is very important in Revelation.
1. Out of the 22 chapters of Revelation, the throne is related to in 14 of the chapters. The word throne is used 13 times in Revelation 4:1-11 alone!
2. Yahweh Father is described by the Spirit inspired John in terms of light in the color of three stones: jasper (probably like translucent diamond), sardius (also called carnelian which was fiery red), and emerald (covering a rainbow of shades of green encircling the throne). Brilliant splendor, glory, and unapproachable light give us a visual of our Yahweh Father (Rev. 4:3; Ezek. 1:26-28; I Tim. 6:16).
3. Around the Father’s throne were 24 thrones occupied by 24 elders wearing white clothes and gold crowns (Rev. 4:4).
a. Many believe these to be human elders such as 12 chosen from Israel and 12 chosen from the church as in the New Jerusalem
(Rev. 21:12-14).
b. Many believe these to be a special elevated rank of angelic beings who have served Yahweh and His creation well. They point out that these 24 elders seem to be uniquely linked with the four living creatures that are for sure angelic, they are always distinguished from the saints
(Rev. 5:8, 11:17-18, 19:1-4), and their place seems to center around the heavenly throne rather than any earthly thrones. This probably fits the context of the passage better.
4. From the throne came an awesome display of lightning, thundering sounds, and seven fire torches representing Yahweh’s seven-fold (all- encompassing) Spirit. Each of these depict Yahweh’s power to judge and purify by His Holy Spirit (Rev. 4:5, 8:5, 11:19, 16:18; Exodus 19:16;
Matt. 3:11).
5. The throne was located on a large expanse of crystal glass that was like looking into the sea or ocean (this magnified Yahweh’s transcendence, purity, and holiness). However, four six winged, supernatural angelic creatures, probably in the same order as seraphim and cherubim, who could see from any position (rich in Yahweh’s will and knowledge), were right next to the throne and surrounding it (Rev. 4:6; Ezek. 1:5-25, 10:1-22; Isa. 6:1-3).
THOUGHT: Let’s silently meditate on this awesome sight of Yahweh Father our Heavenly Father and give Him praise.
II. John next gives us more detail concerning these four living creatures (Rev. 4:7-8).
A. They have faces like a lion, calf (ox), man, and flying eagle. Even though the early church fathers assigned these to the four gospels and others to tribes of Israel, the most probable explanation is that these highly ranked, supernaturally close order of angelic beings expressed Yahweh’s heart in creation. They represent and bring continuous worship by acknowledging His power, strength, spiritual relationship, and soaring ability over this creation (verse 7; Ezek. 1:10, 10:14).
B. They each have six wings (Ezek. chapters 1, 10; Isaiah 6:1-3) that can shield them from the awesome holiness of Yahweh and eyes that expressed their ability to see from any angle to discern Yahweh’s bidding or will. They continuously say that Yahweh is beyond holy (repeated for emphasis, Isaiah 6:3, “set apart” from all else), that He is the only Ruler of All or Lord God Almighty (Adonai Yahweh Sabaoth “ of Hosts” in Hebrew, Isaiah 6:3; Ezekiel 6:3), and that He is Yahweh the great I Am (was, is, and is to come Exodus 3:14).
III. John next gives us more detail concerning the 24 elders (Revelation 4:9-11).
A. When the four living creatures worship Yahweh’s attributes, His right to rule, and return thanks for who He is, the 24 elders worship by prostrating themselves and placing their crowns toward the throne (verses 9, 10).
B. The 24 elders then join in the praise by saying their own chorus and adding aspects of Yahweh’s creation, will, and sovereignty (verse 11).
IV. Some helpful terminology and definitions.
A. Millennium comes from two latin words “mille-1,000” and “annum-year”. Therefore, the word refers to the 1,000 year reign of Christ found in Rev. 20:1-8 (chiliasm is derived from the Greek word for 1,000).
1. A person who believes that Christ will return to this literal earth “before” setting up and reigning 1,000 years on this earth is called a Premillennialist.
2. An Amillennialist is a person who believes that the 1,000 year time period is not literal but symbolic. Many believe that if there is a millennial reign of Christ, it is already happening during this present time of the church.
3. A Postmillennialist is a person who believes that the church will usher in the restoration and millennial reign of Christ on this earth under Christ’s invisible direction. Christ will then return visibly after this millennial work on earth to judge the wicked and set up His New Heaven and New Earth.
B. Tribulation is suffering or affliction and the word taken in a prophetic sense means the seven year period of suffering (that starts the day of the Lord) that is to come on the earth according to Daniel 9:27, 12:1; Matthew 24:4-29; 2 Thes. 2:1-10; Rev. 4:1 – 19:10). The Tribulation Period is usually seven years and the most intense suffering happens in the last three and a half years of the seven and is called the Great Tribulation (Daniel 9:27b; Matthew 24:21).
1. A person who believes that the church will be raptured before the seven year Tribulation starts is pretribulational.
2. A person who believes that the church will be raptured in the middle of the seven year Tribulation but before the three and a half year Great Tribulation is midtribulational.
3. A person who believes that the church will be raptured before the wrath of the Lamb is pre-wrath tribulational (usually after the middle).
4. A person who believes that the church will be raptured after the seven year Tribulation Period is posttribulational.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Revelation 3:14-22
YAHWEH JESUS IN THE MIDST OF HIS CHURCHES (PART IV)
Revelation 3:14-22
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Church #7: The Church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).
A. A brief history of the city of Laodicea: Laodicea was located 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 100 miles east of Ephesus. It was a city that was at the crossroads of the major trade routes in Asia Minor and so had become wealthy. It was known for a soft, black wool made in the area and their famous medical school. An eye salve came from this school known as “Phygian powder” which brought the city fame and fortune. The city had temples to Zeus, Men Karou (also known as Asclepius, the god of healing) as well as shrines to many trade gods. The valley it was located in was prone to earthquakes and the city was severely damaged in both 17 A.D. and 60 A.D. The city had to bring its water in from an aqueduct system from six miles away and so was known to have lukewarm and many times bad tasting water. The cities and churches of Colosse and Hierapolis were very close to the city of Laodicea (Colosse was 10 miles east and Hierapolis was 6 miles north) forming a tri-city complex. It is believed that all three churches were evangelized and planted by Epaphras (Col. 1:7, 2:1, 4:13) between 54-56 A.D.
B. Christ’s attributes, assessments, and award for the congregation at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22).
1. Christ’s attributes for the church to meditate on are found in Rev. 3:14. He identifies Himself as the churches’ Amen which means the words and actions of Jesus are firmly fixed, unchangeable, and true (Isa. 65:16, He is the God of truth, in Hebrew “Elohim Aman”). He is the faithful and true witness and wants the Laodiceans to be like Him (2 Cor. 1:20). He is also the ruler (chief, source, origin, beginner) of creation and therefore worthy to be listened to (Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5, 22:13).
2. Christ’s assessment of the churches’ situation and problem (Rev. 3:15-20).
a. Christ knows that the Laodicean church, like their city water, is lukewarm and bad tasting. Out of the seven churches, they receive the worst report from Yahweh Jesus and receive only rebuke. None of the works of the Laodicean church are acceptable in Yahweh Jesus’ sight (verses 15, 16).
b. Christ knows that the Laodicean church is a congregation that boasts in their own wealth and self-sufficiency rather than their need and abandonment in Yahweh. This attitude never went well for Israel and it’s not going well for this church either (Deut. 8:10-20; Jer. 9:23, 24). Christ describes this congregation in five words that are very much different from their self-evaluation. They are wretched (only other time used in Romans 7:24), miserable (only other time used in I Cor. 15:19), poor, blind, and naked (verse 17).
c. Christ knows that the Laodicean church is prideful in three areas which are their gold, clothing, and eye medicine. He desires for their self- sufficiency to be reversed and therefore He instructs this congregation to “buy” into His true spiritual life instead (verse 18). If they will listen to His loving rebuke and repent (change their mind and turn) then Christ will open the door of His Kingdom blessings and personal fellowship to them (verses 19, 20; Matt. 24:33; John 14:23).
3. Christ’s award for the faithful Laodiceans (Rev. 3:21, 22).
a. Christ’s true overcomers will co-reign with Christ in His Millennial (1,000 year) Kingdom on this earth (verse 21; Dan. 7:27; Luke 22:28- 30; Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:6).
b. There is a universal call to all of Christ’s churches then and now to overcome and listen to the true words of the Holy Spirit (verse 22).
THOUGHT: In what areas are you showing boastfulness in your family, resources, or ability without giving credit to Yahweh? How can you correct this? How can we as a church body be better at Hallelu-Yah (praising Yahweh)?
II. Two final teachings regarding the seven churches of Revelation.
A. Some teachers like to point out that there seems to be a possible chronological development of church history in the seven churches. They would possibly say that a scenario like this is represented in church history: Ephesus (approx. 30- 100 A.D., losing first love), Smyrna (approx. 100-312 A.D., severe persecution before Constantine), Pergamum (approx. 300-600 A.D., false doctrine), Thyatira (600-1517 A.D., immorality, false doctrine), Sardis (1517-1750 A.D., reform- ation, persecution), Philadelphia (1750-1950’s A.D., revivals, great world wars), Laodicea (1950-now, the lukewarm church). Even though there are some interesting historical events that seem to line up with this view, there is not enough to give precise breaks to the next chronological development for my exegetical taste. A better exegesis is to see the seven churches representing possible church scenarios for all church time before Christ’s rapture and/or return.
B. There seems to be a possible Hebraic chiasm in Christ’s words to the seven churches of Revelation. The Greek letter chi looks like the English X. Therefore, a chiasm in the literature has similarities matching beginning and ending parts of the writing and has its main point in the middle (where the X crosses). Ephesus and Laodicea, Smyrna and Philadelphia, and Pergamum and Sardis all have similarities relating in order of passion for Christ, persecution in Christ, and participation in cultural immorality. Thyatira is the middle church, has the longest amount of writing, deals with doctrinal error and immorality, and is the only letter that quotes Scripture directly (Psalms 2:9). This deals with Christ’s rule on this earth and His overcomers ruling with Him. This church seems to embody Christ’s main theme to His churches for all time.
Revelation 3:14-22
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Church #7: The Church at Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22).
A. A brief history of the city of Laodicea: Laodicea was located 45 miles southeast of Philadelphia and about 100 miles east of Ephesus. It was a city that was at the crossroads of the major trade routes in Asia Minor and so had become wealthy. It was known for a soft, black wool made in the area and their famous medical school. An eye salve came from this school known as “Phygian powder” which brought the city fame and fortune. The city had temples to Zeus, Men Karou (also known as Asclepius, the god of healing) as well as shrines to many trade gods. The valley it was located in was prone to earthquakes and the city was severely damaged in both 17 A.D. and 60 A.D. The city had to bring its water in from an aqueduct system from six miles away and so was known to have lukewarm and many times bad tasting water. The cities and churches of Colosse and Hierapolis were very close to the city of Laodicea (Colosse was 10 miles east and Hierapolis was 6 miles north) forming a tri-city complex. It is believed that all three churches were evangelized and planted by Epaphras (Col. 1:7, 2:1, 4:13) between 54-56 A.D.
B. Christ’s attributes, assessments, and award for the congregation at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22).
1. Christ’s attributes for the church to meditate on are found in Rev. 3:14. He identifies Himself as the churches’ Amen which means the words and actions of Jesus are firmly fixed, unchangeable, and true (Isa. 65:16, He is the God of truth, in Hebrew “Elohim Aman”). He is the faithful and true witness and wants the Laodiceans to be like Him (2 Cor. 1:20). He is also the ruler (chief, source, origin, beginner) of creation and therefore worthy to be listened to (Col. 1:18; Rev. 1:5, 22:13).
2. Christ’s assessment of the churches’ situation and problem (Rev. 3:15-20).
a. Christ knows that the Laodicean church, like their city water, is lukewarm and bad tasting. Out of the seven churches, they receive the worst report from Yahweh Jesus and receive only rebuke. None of the works of the Laodicean church are acceptable in Yahweh Jesus’ sight (verses 15, 16).
b. Christ knows that the Laodicean church is a congregation that boasts in their own wealth and self-sufficiency rather than their need and abandonment in Yahweh. This attitude never went well for Israel and it’s not going well for this church either (Deut. 8:10-20; Jer. 9:23, 24). Christ describes this congregation in five words that are very much different from their self-evaluation. They are wretched (only other time used in Romans 7:24), miserable (only other time used in I Cor. 15:19), poor, blind, and naked (verse 17).
c. Christ knows that the Laodicean church is prideful in three areas which are their gold, clothing, and eye medicine. He desires for their self- sufficiency to be reversed and therefore He instructs this congregation to “buy” into His true spiritual life instead (verse 18). If they will listen to His loving rebuke and repent (change their mind and turn) then Christ will open the door of His Kingdom blessings and personal fellowship to them (verses 19, 20; Matt. 24:33; John 14:23).
3. Christ’s award for the faithful Laodiceans (Rev. 3:21, 22).
a. Christ’s true overcomers will co-reign with Christ in His Millennial (1,000 year) Kingdom on this earth (verse 21; Dan. 7:27; Luke 22:28- 30; Rom. 8:17; 2 Tim. 2:12; Rev. 20:6).
b. There is a universal call to all of Christ’s churches then and now to overcome and listen to the true words of the Holy Spirit (verse 22).
THOUGHT: In what areas are you showing boastfulness in your family, resources, or ability without giving credit to Yahweh? How can you correct this? How can we as a church body be better at Hallelu-Yah (praising Yahweh)?
II. Two final teachings regarding the seven churches of Revelation.
A. Some teachers like to point out that there seems to be a possible chronological development of church history in the seven churches. They would possibly say that a scenario like this is represented in church history: Ephesus (approx. 30- 100 A.D., losing first love), Smyrna (approx. 100-312 A.D., severe persecution before Constantine), Pergamum (approx. 300-600 A.D., false doctrine), Thyatira (600-1517 A.D., immorality, false doctrine), Sardis (1517-1750 A.D., reform- ation, persecution), Philadelphia (1750-1950’s A.D., revivals, great world wars), Laodicea (1950-now, the lukewarm church). Even though there are some interesting historical events that seem to line up with this view, there is not enough to give precise breaks to the next chronological development for my exegetical taste. A better exegesis is to see the seven churches representing possible church scenarios for all church time before Christ’s rapture and/or return.
B. There seems to be a possible Hebraic chiasm in Christ’s words to the seven churches of Revelation. The Greek letter chi looks like the English X. Therefore, a chiasm in the literature has similarities matching beginning and ending parts of the writing and has its main point in the middle (where the X crosses). Ephesus and Laodicea, Smyrna and Philadelphia, and Pergamum and Sardis all have similarities relating in order of passion for Christ, persecution in Christ, and participation in cultural immorality. Thyatira is the middle church, has the longest amount of writing, deals with doctrinal error and immorality, and is the only letter that quotes Scripture directly (Psalms 2:9). This deals with Christ’s rule on this earth and His overcomers ruling with Him. This church seems to embody Christ’s main theme to His churches for all time.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Revelation 3:1-13
Revelation 3:1-13
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Church #5: The Church at Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6).
A. A brief history of the city of Sardis: Sardis was located 30 miles south of Thyatira and was located on the main Roman trade and military routes. As a result, it was a very wealthy city and was known as the old capital city of Persia in Asia Minor. It was located on an elevated area 1500 feet from the valley below and so was a perfect military fortress for the kingdoms of Lydia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. It had impressive structures built through hundreds of years of history including the acropolis (a well fortified military structure), temples to Artemis (Cybele, Diana) and the Emperor, and the necropolis (huge cemetery). Their main industry at 95 A.D. (the time of Revelation) was woolen goods and clothing. However, most of the city’s wealth accumulated from its past history and so it had become prideful, lethargic, and morally compromised.
B. Christ’s attributes, assessments, and award for the congregation at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6).
1. Christ’s attributes for the church to meditate on are found in Rev. 3:1b. He identifies Himself as the one who has the seven Spirits of God which communicates the Holy Spirit’s blessing, anointing, and teaching (Rev. 1:4; Zech. 4:1-10). He also identifies Himself as the churches’ powerful protector and sovereign ruler as the one who has the seven stars
(Rev. 1:16, 20). This church by thinking about these things should return to living a life in Yahweh’s Spirit and power and stop relying on their own selves.
2. Christ’s assessment of the churches’ situation and problem (Rev. 3:1c-4).
a. Christ does not commend this church for its work (only this one and Laodicea receive no commendation). This church is thought of by others and themselves to be spiritually alive but Christ says they are dead (“necros” Greek) (Rev. 3:1c).
b. Christ commands His congregation in Sardis to wake up and to watch constantly (present tense). Whatever this church was doing for Christ was not found to be done correctly (complete, to the full). This probably meant that there were either bad doctrine, personal boasting, immorality, or/and ulterior motives involved with the works (Rev. 3:2; I Cor. 4:1-5; II Cor. 11:1-6; I John 2:16).
c. Christ commands His congregation in Sardis to correct the problem with a three-fold formula: 1) Remember! (what they have received from Christ and His teaching), 2) Keep it!, and 3) Repent! (change your mind and turn). If they refuse to do these things, Christ will come to them like a thief which probably means that He will remove them as one of His churches (Rev. 3:3, 2:5).
d. Christ does comfort a few in the church who have not soiled their clothes. The white clothes probably relate to the wedding and feast garments of the saints (Rev. 19:7, 8) or the victorious white garments worn after a battle victory in the Roman empire (Rev. 3:4).
3. Christ’s award for the overcomers in Sardis (Rev. 3:5, 6).
a. They are promised white clothes (verse 4) having their names stay in the book of life (all humans start out in the book but non-believers in Yahweh Christ’s righteousness choosing instead self-righteousness get blotted out, Dan. 12:1; Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 13:8, 17:8, 20:15, 21:27) and acknowledgement before Yahweh Father and the angels.
b. There is a universal call to all of Christ’s churches then and now to hear and obey this message.
THOUGHT: How do churches that were once alive become dead? What can we do to prevent dying as a church?
II. Church #6: The Church at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).
A. A brief history of the city of Philadelphia: Philadelphia was located 25 miles southeast of Sardis and 100 miles east of Smyrna. It was a wealthy city which traded in textile, leather, and wine. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 A.D. along with 10 other cities in the area but was rebuilt by Tiberias Caesar. In honor to Caesar, the city changed its name to Neocaesarea for over 30 years but by 95 A.D. (the time of Revelation) it went by the names of Philadelphia or Flavia. It had temples dedicated to emperor worship, Zeus, and shrines to pagan cults. There was also a large Jewish Synagogue in the city. Between the immorality of the culture and persecution, the church had many difficulties.
B. Christ’s attributes, assessment, and award for the congregation at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).
1. Christ’s attributes for the church to meditate on are found in Revelation 2:7. He identifies Himself as the Holy One (“set apart” for the Father’s purposes, Isaiah 6:3), the True One (perfectly trustworthy, what He said and says He will do, as an example Isaiah 9:1, 2; Matt. 4:12-16), and the One who has the key of David. The key to King David’s treasury (Isaiah 22:22) is given ultimately to the Holy True Messiah from David’s line, Jesus Christ, which opens the door to His Kingdom (Matt. 16:19).
2. Christ’s assessment of the situation without a rebuke (Revelation 3:8-11).
a. Christ knows that this congregation has been suffering (little strength) and persecuted but has kept His word and not denied His name. He continues to set before them this open door into the Kingdom blessings and possibly ministry (verse 8; Col. 4:3; Rev. 21:25).
b. Christ knows that this congregation is being persecuted by the Jewish community. He tells this predominately Gentile church that His true Jews would receive their Messiah as the Philadelphian church has already done. Christ loves (“agapao” Greek) this church and all people will see this in His fulfilled Kingdom (vs. 9; Dan. 7:27; Phil. 2:10, 11).
c. Christ knows that the Philadelphia congregation has kept His word through suffering times by enduring (“remaining under” Greek) in Christ’s strength (verse 10a). Since they were willing to endure now, they and future patient endurers will be kept from a future time of trial and tribulation which will come upon the whole earth (verse 10b, c). Most dispensationalists believe the rapture will take the church out of this world before the hour of trial or great tribulation happens on this earth (Daniel 12:1; Matt. 24:21; I Thes. 4:17; Rev. 7:14). Most other groups see this as Christ’s preservation and strength to His believers through the great trials in this world (James 1:27).
d. Christ encourages His suffering Church with His soon coming. The idea of “soon” should be looked at from the perspective of wrapping up prophetic events and Yahweh’s grand timescale (Dan. 2:28, 45; Luke 18:8; 2 Pet. 3:8-13; Rev. 1:12, 22:6). As they hold on (to the Holy True Messiah), they will keep their crown (reward) (verse 11; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10).
3. Christ’s award for the overcoming Philadelphians (Rev. 3:12, 13).
a. They will be pillars in the Temple of God (probably relating to service in Christ’s kingdom being built properly on the apostles foundation, Rev. 21:14; Eph. 2:20-22). They will be written on by Christ Himself which means intimacy and ownership. Overcomers receive on their new bodies the name of Yahweh Father, the new Jerusalem, and Yahweh Jesus’ new name (verse 12; Eze. 48:35; Rev. 19:12-22:5).
b. There is a universal call to all of Christ’s churches then and now to hear and obey this message.
THOUGHT: Jesus promises future glories to those who will patiently trust, keep His word, endure, and follow Him now!
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Church #5: The Church at Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6).
A. A brief history of the city of Sardis: Sardis was located 30 miles south of Thyatira and was located on the main Roman trade and military routes. As a result, it was a very wealthy city and was known as the old capital city of Persia in Asia Minor. It was located on an elevated area 1500 feet from the valley below and so was a perfect military fortress for the kingdoms of Lydia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. It had impressive structures built through hundreds of years of history including the acropolis (a well fortified military structure), temples to Artemis (Cybele, Diana) and the Emperor, and the necropolis (huge cemetery). Their main industry at 95 A.D. (the time of Revelation) was woolen goods and clothing. However, most of the city’s wealth accumulated from its past history and so it had become prideful, lethargic, and morally compromised.
B. Christ’s attributes, assessments, and award for the congregation at Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6).
1. Christ’s attributes for the church to meditate on are found in Rev. 3:1b. He identifies Himself as the one who has the seven Spirits of God which communicates the Holy Spirit’s blessing, anointing, and teaching (Rev. 1:4; Zech. 4:1-10). He also identifies Himself as the churches’ powerful protector and sovereign ruler as the one who has the seven stars
(Rev. 1:16, 20). This church by thinking about these things should return to living a life in Yahweh’s Spirit and power and stop relying on their own selves.
2. Christ’s assessment of the churches’ situation and problem (Rev. 3:1c-4).
a. Christ does not commend this church for its work (only this one and Laodicea receive no commendation). This church is thought of by others and themselves to be spiritually alive but Christ says they are dead (“necros” Greek) (Rev. 3:1c).
b. Christ commands His congregation in Sardis to wake up and to watch constantly (present tense). Whatever this church was doing for Christ was not found to be done correctly (complete, to the full). This probably meant that there were either bad doctrine, personal boasting, immorality, or/and ulterior motives involved with the works (Rev. 3:2; I Cor. 4:1-5; II Cor. 11:1-6; I John 2:16).
c. Christ commands His congregation in Sardis to correct the problem with a three-fold formula: 1) Remember! (what they have received from Christ and His teaching), 2) Keep it!, and 3) Repent! (change your mind and turn). If they refuse to do these things, Christ will come to them like a thief which probably means that He will remove them as one of His churches (Rev. 3:3, 2:5).
d. Christ does comfort a few in the church who have not soiled their clothes. The white clothes probably relate to the wedding and feast garments of the saints (Rev. 19:7, 8) or the victorious white garments worn after a battle victory in the Roman empire (Rev. 3:4).
3. Christ’s award for the overcomers in Sardis (Rev. 3:5, 6).
a. They are promised white clothes (verse 4) having their names stay in the book of life (all humans start out in the book but non-believers in Yahweh Christ’s righteousness choosing instead self-righteousness get blotted out, Dan. 12:1; Luke 10:20; Phil. 4:3; Heb. 12:23; Rev. 13:8, 17:8, 20:15, 21:27) and acknowledgement before Yahweh Father and the angels.
b. There is a universal call to all of Christ’s churches then and now to hear and obey this message.
THOUGHT: How do churches that were once alive become dead? What can we do to prevent dying as a church?
II. Church #6: The Church at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).
A. A brief history of the city of Philadelphia: Philadelphia was located 25 miles southeast of Sardis and 100 miles east of Smyrna. It was a wealthy city which traded in textile, leather, and wine. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 A.D. along with 10 other cities in the area but was rebuilt by Tiberias Caesar. In honor to Caesar, the city changed its name to Neocaesarea for over 30 years but by 95 A.D. (the time of Revelation) it went by the names of Philadelphia or Flavia. It had temples dedicated to emperor worship, Zeus, and shrines to pagan cults. There was also a large Jewish Synagogue in the city. Between the immorality of the culture and persecution, the church had many difficulties.
B. Christ’s attributes, assessment, and award for the congregation at Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13).
1. Christ’s attributes for the church to meditate on are found in Revelation 2:7. He identifies Himself as the Holy One (“set apart” for the Father’s purposes, Isaiah 6:3), the True One (perfectly trustworthy, what He said and says He will do, as an example Isaiah 9:1, 2; Matt. 4:12-16), and the One who has the key of David. The key to King David’s treasury (Isaiah 22:22) is given ultimately to the Holy True Messiah from David’s line, Jesus Christ, which opens the door to His Kingdom (Matt. 16:19).
2. Christ’s assessment of the situation without a rebuke (Revelation 3:8-11).
a. Christ knows that this congregation has been suffering (little strength) and persecuted but has kept His word and not denied His name. He continues to set before them this open door into the Kingdom blessings and possibly ministry (verse 8; Col. 4:3; Rev. 21:25).
b. Christ knows that this congregation is being persecuted by the Jewish community. He tells this predominately Gentile church that His true Jews would receive their Messiah as the Philadelphian church has already done. Christ loves (“agapao” Greek) this church and all people will see this in His fulfilled Kingdom (vs. 9; Dan. 7:27; Phil. 2:10, 11).
c. Christ knows that the Philadelphia congregation has kept His word through suffering times by enduring (“remaining under” Greek) in Christ’s strength (verse 10a). Since they were willing to endure now, they and future patient endurers will be kept from a future time of trial and tribulation which will come upon the whole earth (verse 10b, c). Most dispensationalists believe the rapture will take the church out of this world before the hour of trial or great tribulation happens on this earth (Daniel 12:1; Matt. 24:21; I Thes. 4:17; Rev. 7:14). Most other groups see this as Christ’s preservation and strength to His believers through the great trials in this world (James 1:27).
d. Christ encourages His suffering Church with His soon coming. The idea of “soon” should be looked at from the perspective of wrapping up prophetic events and Yahweh’s grand timescale (Dan. 2:28, 45; Luke 18:8; 2 Pet. 3:8-13; Rev. 1:12, 22:6). As they hold on (to the Holy True Messiah), they will keep their crown (reward) (verse 11; James 1:12; Rev. 2:10).
3. Christ’s award for the overcoming Philadelphians (Rev. 3:12, 13).
a. They will be pillars in the Temple of God (probably relating to service in Christ’s kingdom being built properly on the apostles foundation, Rev. 21:14; Eph. 2:20-22). They will be written on by Christ Himself which means intimacy and ownership. Overcomers receive on their new bodies the name of Yahweh Father, the new Jerusalem, and Yahweh Jesus’ new name (verse 12; Eze. 48:35; Rev. 19:12-22:5).
b. There is a universal call to all of Christ’s churches then and now to hear and obey this message.
THOUGHT: Jesus promises future glories to those who will patiently trust, keep His word, endure, and follow Him now!
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