CHRIST’S COMMENDATION TO A TRIUMPHANT AND FAITHFUL CHURCH.

Rev 3:7 — Rev 3:13 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Beloved, we have now come to the sixth letter, sent to one of the seven selected Asian churches. . See it.

Philadelphia

Beloved brethren, remember this message was meant for three categories of people in the churches.

Primary message

Personal message

Prophetic messages

1. Primary message.

Messages to the first receipient, the church at Philadelphia

Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

2. Personal message.

Even though the message was sent to the church at Philadelphia specially. , It was also meant for you in particular, redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood

Revelation 1:1. The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Rev 22:10 — Rev 22:11 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

Revelation 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

3. Prophetic messages to the global churches until Christ comes.

Also because seven churches were selected for a purpose. As you are aware, seven means totality, finality, completeness, and perfection.

Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches

The message was for the entire universal churches of Christ, till the end of time, that shall culminate in the dawning rapture. It shall not elude you in particular in Jesus name.

It was for this, that made all the messages to end with, he or she that hath an ear.

Praise God your own ear and heart had been opened by the Lord. Glory to His holy name.

Revelation 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches

Beloved, no doubt you know the urgency to be attached to these messages. This is because of the imminent rapture. .

It could happen before the close of today. It shall meet you prepared in Jesus name.

The message to the church at Philadelphia again.

The topic once again is:

CHRIST’S COMMENDATION TO A TRIUMPHANT AND FAITHFUL CHURCH.

Beloved, always remember what the blessed Holy Spirit will help you in particular to discover about this sixth church. Listen to it again.

Rev 3:7 — Rev 3:8 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

This was another church worthy of emulation, like Symna.

Our Lord had nothing to correct but exhorted them to persevere to the end.

You must aspire with all your strength henceforth to be like this church. They were faultless and blameless.. They were faithful and triumphant.

It was possible for them by the grace of God. It shall be possible for you too in Jesus name.

Rev 14:4 — Rev 14:5 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

You must understand this was a glorious church not graceless and this is the church our Lord Jesus is coming for.

Eph 5:25 — Eph 5:27 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.

This is the message from the one who is holy and true,

the one who has the key of David.

What he opens, no one can close;

and what he closes, no one can open:

And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, He Who has the key of David, Who opens and no one shall shut, Who shuts and no one shall open:

The first thing you saw from the introduction was that, He was holy and true. Listen to it yourself.

Over and over in the Bible,our Lord was confirmed to be Holy and true. See some of them.

These are His personal characters. He that is holy and he that is true.

Holy in his nature, and therefore he cannot but be true to his word, for he hath spoken in his holiness.

Holy and true

Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Holy

Hebrews 7:26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Acts 4:27

For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

Acts 4:30

By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.

True

John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

1 John 2:8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

John 6:32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

He has the key of David.

Isaiah 22:22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

Revelation 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Acts 16:4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and elders which were at Jerusalem. 16:5 And so were the churchesestablished in the faith, and increased in number daily.

2. He opens doors of utterance to his ministers and opens the hearts of members to be receptive to God’s unfailing unchanging eternal and infallible Words.

1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; 1:5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

2 Corinthians 8:7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.

Eph 6:19

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Col 4:3

Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

Acts 14:1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

3. He opens doors of blessings without sorrow and deliverance from all satanic challenges for them to be fulfilled on this side of heaven.

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

Isaiah 8:18 Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Obadiah 1:17 But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.

4. In addition, He opens doors of life eternal for triumphant Bible believing believers like you at the end of time.

Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. 3:17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. 3:18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.

Again the topic is:

CHRIST’S COMMENDATION TO A TRIUMPHANT AND FAITHFUL CHURCH.

1. Christ’s recognition of faithfulness in His church.

2. Christ’s requisition for faithfulness from Christians.

3. Christ’s rewards for faithful Christians.

1. Christ’s recognition of faithfulness in His church.

Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Firstly, message was sent to the angel of the church. You are aware, you are doubling as both the church and angel of your world of influence.

What do you know about angels?

They are holy. See it.

Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

The angels of God are holy and blameless.

By whom this letter was signed even by the same Jesus who is alone the universal head of all the churches and here observe by what title he chooses to represent himself to this church:.

He that is holy, he that is true.

He that hath the key of David.

He that openeth, and none shall shut, and shutteth, and none openeth

His the recognition of the faithfulness of this church.

Revelation 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

I know thy works. Once more Christ’s judgment is based upon intimate personal knowledge.

Jesus knew their works. He knows yours too.

Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Jer 23:23 — Jer 23:24 Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

Remember, sooner than you think, all your works shall be made plain.

What do you think God will discover?

Ecc 12:13 — Ecc 12:14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Let’s come back to the church.

Christ puts them in mind of what he had done for them: I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it,

Because thou hast little power, and hast made a good use of that little, I have given thee an opportunity of which none shall deprive thee.

I have set it open, and kept it open, though there be many adversaries.

This refers to doors of opportunities to preach the gospel.

And also utrances for His ministers.

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

May the good Lord keep you faithful to the end in Jesus name.

His unfailing grace shall avail for you in particular in Jesus name.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Christ calls the church to that duty which he before promised he would enable her to do, and that is, to persevere, to hold fast that which she had (

The duty itself: “Hold fast that which thou hast, that faith, that truth, that strength of grace, that zeal, that love to the brethren thou hast been possessed of this excellent treasure, hold it fast”

The motives, taken from the speedy appearance of Christ: “Behold, I come quickly. See, I am just a coming to relieve them under the trial, to reward their fidelity, and to punish those who fall away they shall lose that crown which they once seemed to have a right to, which they hoped for, and pleased themselves with the thoughts of.

The persevering Christian shall win the prize from backsliding professors, who once stood fair for it.”

Beloved, endeavor to hold on to the entirety of the scriptures that you have received, till Christ comes.

John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

which is a promise. Here the declaration is one of encouragement to the Church

Revelation 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

We go to point 2.

2. Christ’s requisition for faithfulness from Christians.

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

This is the expectations of Christ from all Bible believing believers till He comes.

Revelation 2:25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand

.Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

May the good Lord keep you faithful to the end in Jesus name.

His unfailing grace shall avail for you in particular in Jesus name.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Point 3

3. Christ’s rewards for faithful Christians.

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

After his usual manner, our Saviour promises a glorious reward to the victorious believer, in two things

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar.

He shall be a monumental pillar in the temple of God not a pillar to support the temple (heaven needs no such props), but a monument of the free and powerful grace of God, a monument that shall never be defaced nor removed,.

On this monumental pillar there shall be an honourable inscription, as in those cases is usual

The name of God, in whose cause he engaged, whom he served, and for whom he suffered in this warfare and the name of the city of God, the church of God, the new Jerusalem, which came down from heaven.

On this pillar shall be recorded all the services the believer did to the church of God, how he asserted her rights, enlarged her borders, maintained her purity and honour .

And then another part of the inscr

Point 3

3. Christ’s rewards for faithful Christians.

After his usual manner, our Saviour promises a glorious reward to the victorious believer, in two things

Him that overcometh will I make a pillar.

On this monumental pillar there shall be an honourable inscription, as in those cases is usual

On this pillar shall be recorded all the services the believer did to the church of God, how he asserted her rights, enlarged her borders, maintained her purity and honour .

And then another part of the inscription is,

The new name of Christ, the Mediator, the Redeemer, the captain of our salvation by this it will appear under whose banner this conquering believer had enlisted, under whose conduct he acted, by whose example he was encouraged, and under whose influence he fought the good fight, and came off victorious.

Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:

The “overcoming” is a present continuous process, but will have a termination, and then he who has faithfully fought the daily battle will be made a pillar, steadfast, immovable.

Revelation 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Beloved, you have to overcome.

This is because greater is he one in you than the one in the world.

Overcome satan , sin , self, flesh and the world.

1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jo 5:4 — 1Jo 5:5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1Jo 2:28 — 1Jo 2:29 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

The epistle is closed up with the demand of attention: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, how Christ loves and values his faithful people, how he commends, and how he will crown their fidelity

Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Certainly you have an ear and you have heard. See you at the top in Jesus name.

Let us Pray.

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