PHILADELPHIA – The Modern Church Age – 1648-1900AD – Rev 3:7-13

Verse 7 – angel – a human or angelic messenger – means a messenger with a specific assignment

church – a called-out group of people who have the same belief system

-the church is called out and called forth

-the church is people, and we have a great boss & leader – Col 1:15-18 – and a great instruction manual – The Bible

-the church is comprised of distinguished citizens – 1 Peter 2:9

Philadelphia – means brotherly love

***Some points about Jesus Christ:

1. Jesus Christ is holy  – means a separated one

-We become separated ones at salvation

-There are 3 parts to holiness

                  ***Positional Holiness

                  ***Become holy – 1 Peter 1:15-16 – a process that happens daily

                  ***Heaven – Totally separated

2. Jesus Christ is True – verse 7

-true means to be original…genuine…absolute trueness/not a copy or imitation

-it means Jesus is the only true one – 1 Cor 12:2 & 1 Thess 1:7-10

-Jesus is in His own category

REMEMBER: What Jesus said to the church in Philadelphia, He is still saying to the church today – Hebrews 13:8

3. Jesus has the key of David

-It refers to having authority and power

-Jesus has all of the keys

-Jesus has the key to open doors – 2 Corinthians 2:12

***The Lord opens doors as we pray – Colossians 4:3

***The enemy roars in as we walk through open doors – 1 Corinthians 16:9

verse 8 – I know your works – to personally observe

Set before you – the Lord has given them, supplied them and extended to the church open doors – this reveals the grace of God

verse 8 – Philadelphia was located on the far eastern border of China and had an open door to go to the unreached

Why does the Lord Open Up Doors for People and churches?

1. Little Strength – John 3:30

-they were a small church in numbers, but were constantly becoming small

Humble means to make yourself small and low

You don’t have to be big to have a big opportunity………

2. Keep the Word of God – verse 8

-there are a ton of voices today – discern which one is right or wrong

Keep – to watch over/observe…listen…and separate

3. Jesus must be the center of everything – verse 8

no – means emphatically NOT

denied – means rejected/walk away from/wash your hands of

-Jesus is the main thing & priority – to be exalted and pointed to

verses 9 – 10 – Opposition comes when a door is opened – Satan and his demons are behind the opposition

verses 11-12 – Promises the Lord gives to the Church at Philadelphia

1. He will take care of our enemies – the Lord will turn everyone around

-I will make things happen

2. The Lord will keep you from great tribulation – verse 9

-The Lord will protect us and guard us

The Lord is coming soon at an unexpected time

Hold on to your strong foundation & we will receive eternal life and everything will be new