In the book of Revelation we have recorded the letters to the seven churches in Asia. Out of the seven only two received all positive comments. Today we examine these two great examples and make the applications to us today.
It's interesting to examine their historical backgrounds and see how that influenced the lives of the Christians and how they overcame great difficulties to be eternal shining examples.
1) PHILADELPHIA - Revelation 3: 7-13
A. Founded around 140 BC; named because of the close ties between the city's founder, Attalus ll , and his brother Eumenes, thus the name of the city, "brotherly love".
1. The city was a major postal road and was originally designed to be a gateway of Hellenic (Greek) culture to the Asian world. Access was easy to Laodecia and other prominent cities of that time.
2. Interestingly, in an area of intense volcanic and earthquake activity. Understanding this point is key to understanding the meaning of this passage regarding Philadelphia. (more in later points)
B. Positive Statements/Commendations
1. vs 8 - a. they (the church) had an open door put before them - the city was a geographic door to the Asiatic world for the promotion of Greek culture and by AD 19 that had been totally successful, so the church there realized they had an opportunity to spread the Word.
b. we need to realize our open door - think about all the opportunies we have! We need to realize we have opportuniites in so many different areas.
c. faith is a key! Jesus talked about a mustard seed.
d. But, they "have a little power" - they could have been a small group or maybe another challenge, but they needed to understand that with the Lord on their side, they are in the majority.
2 Kings 6:16
e. They were faithful to the Word and had not denied the Lord's name. Mt 10: 32-33
C. Their Faithfulness Would Be Rewarded
1. vss 9-12 a. they were told the synagogue of Satan would bow down at their feet. What does this mean? There are a variety of ideas, i.e. some who called themselves Jews were not really that, some worshipped the Beast or Deceiver and subsequently persecuted Christians, etc. Whatever the situation Christians will be ultimately victorious.. Christians are the "Israel" today. Phil 3:2-3; Gal 6:16; Romans 2: 28-29. Eventually all will "bow at the feet" of the righteous.
b. Everyone will know Jesus loves His own. Rev 1:5; Eph 5:25
c. They will be kept from the hour of testing - vs 10 Why? They had remained faithful through previous testing. The same for today - 1 Cor 15:58 . The saints at Philadelphia were always "looking up" and would be spared the general persecution to come. Why? They had persevered to this point and would be rewarded for it.
d. They were told to "HOLD ON" - 2 Timothy 4:8, Rev. 2:10. He is coming quickly and they rejoiced in that as opposed to Sardis (Rev 3:3)
e. They would be made a pillar - (vs.12) They have proven their worthiness and God will call them pillars. Examine Galatians 2:9 -James, Cephas and John. See also I Kings 7:21 and 2 Chron 3: 15-17 regarding Solomon
f. They won't have to go out anymore - remember when we talked about the volcanoes and earthquakes? If it happened in the city around the buildings those living there would go into an open field, live in tents and go back when the danger passed. Spiritually, those who had to flee persecution ("go into a field") would not have to do that anymore.
g. they will have their names inscribed with the identity of the Father, not the mark of the beast. (13: 17-18) A new name, a new city that will never be destroyed. Philadelphia suffered greatly in AD 17 from an earthquake, the people feared disaster, would come and go. The city was renamed Neocaesarea, then later renamed Flavia, and then eventually was covered over and is now the Turkish town of Alasheir. Jesus offered tot them and offers to us today permanence. He is the Word of God (19:13) He is "King of Kings, and Lord of Lords." (19:16) As long as we remain faithful that will never change. We can look forward to a permanent city, an eternal reward!!
2) SMYRNA - Revelation 2: 8-11
A. To understand Smyrna you need to undertand the background and culture of this prominent city. Like Philadelphia a knowledge of its history helps you more fully appreciate what was written about in Revelation.
1. Although the city dates back to the Hittite era of AD 600 the city really didn't start to grow until around the time of Alexander the Great. Because of that Greek culture began to flourish. Smyrna was also a port city surrounded by flat land which was conducive to its growth. It became known as the "jewel of Asia" and the first Roman temple dedicated to the cult of Rome in Asia was there in 195 BC.
2. In 26 BC eleven cities competed for the right to build a temple to Tiberias. Rome decided on Smyrna.
3. In this city of 100,000 people there were shops, a theater, stadium, monuments, etc.
4. In this environment steeped in Roman paganism a church existed.
B. Persecution
1. If you recall the Revelation letter was written by John around AD 96 to encourage christians to remain faithful under the most harsh persecutions imaginable.
2. A Christian by the name of Ignatius of Antioch wrote letters to churches encouraging them as he was being taken to Rome for his execution because of his faithfulness to Christ. On this trip he passed through Smyrna and also penned a letter to the saints there. (approximately AD 100-117)
3. In AD 156 a faithful Christian by the name of Polycarp was arrested, ordered to say "Lord Caesar" and to burn incense to the Emperor. He refused. He was then ordered to deny Christ and renounce his fellow Christians (called the Atheists). He again refused. He was burned to death along with 10 others. His words still resound today. "Eighty and Six years have I served Him and He never did me any injury; how then can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?"
C. VSS 9-10 COMMENDATION AND WORDS OF COMFORT
1. "TRIBULATION" - What happens under pressure? Some may give in, the faithful will become stronger. Grain becomes meal and coal(carbon) can become diamonds. All of greater value due to pressure. They were warned.( John in Revelation 1:9 and Peter in 1 Peter 1:1 and 4:12.)
2. "I KNOW YOUR POVERTY" - In a city of immense wealth the Christians were destitute. Yet they were saving for something of greater value, and eternal home. Compare this wealth to that of Laodecia. (3:17). They were never promised ease from difficulties, yet they were building for their eternal future.
3. "I KNOW THE BLASPHEMY OF THOSE WHO SAY THEY ARE JEWS BUT ARE NOT"
a, After AD 70 the Jews were not a legally protected group and served Satan's purposes by instigating violence along with the Romans against the saints. (probably too in the case of Polycarp)
The Jews now worshipped the Beast. (12:9, 13) At one time the Church actually had some protection under the umbrella of Judaism, but no more.
4. "DO NOT FEAR WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO SUFFER"
a. imprisonment in Roman times was not the punishment in itself, it was where you waited to be executed.
D. THE PROMISE
1. Be faithful unto death
2. Crown of Life - 2 Timothy 4: 7-8 Life here means more than just a life, but it all that God wants His Children to be. What God gave to His Son John 5:26, 14:6, 1 John 1: 1-2
3. Will not be hurt by the second death - there would be pain in the first, but would not be hurt in eternal punishment in the second. 20:6, 14; 21:8
4. Fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hell - (Mt 10:28)
Wonderful examples for all today!