Revelation 3:7-13- Philadelphia-A Faithful Church  “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door,  and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.  Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.  Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.  He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 I will write on him My new name.“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Seven Churches of Revelation Philadelphia: Background The City Philadelphia means “brotherly love” Philadelphia was originally founded as a missionary outpost for Hellenism Philadelphia was destroyed by an earthquake

The Seven Churches of Revelation Philadelphia: Background The City Philadelphia means “brotherly love” Philadelphia was originally founded as a missionary outpost for Hellenism Philadelphia was destroyed by an earthquake Philadelphia changed its name to Neocaesarea Philadelphia honored its illustrious sons by putting their names on the pillars of its temples

The Seven Churches of Revelation Philadelphia: Background The City Philadelphia means “brotherly love” Philadelphia was originally founded as a missionary outpost for Hellenism Philadelphia was destroyed by an earthquake Philadelphia changed its name to Neocaesarea Philadelphia honored its illustrious sons by putting their names on the pillars of its temples The Church Not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture

Modern Alesehir, Turkey/ Ancient Philadelphia

Ruins Of Ancient Philadelphia

The Seven Churches of Revelation Philadelphia: Pillars and inscriptions

The Seven Churches of Revelation Philadelphia: Background The City Philadelphia means “brotherly love” Philadelphia was originally founded as a missionary outpost for Hellenism Philadelphia was destroyed by an earthquake Philadelphia changed its name to Neocaesarea Philadelphia honored its illustrious sons by putting their names on the pillars of its temples The Church Not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture

History Of Philadelphia Philadelphia (modern Alasehir) was founded in the third century B.C. by one of the Pergamenian kings and named after Attalus II (159–138 B.C.) who, in spite of Roman pressure, maintained “loyalty/love” for his brother, Eumenes II (197– 159 B.C.)— thus the name “Philadelphia” (brotherly love). It is located about 80 mi. east of Smyrna (Izmir) in western Turkey. In New Testament times it was at an important junction of one of the greatest highways in the world (Imperial Highway) which led the East to the West, terminating at Smyrna; and a diagonal route that ran from Pergamum 111 mi. [178 km.] to the northwest to Attalia, 187 mi. to the southeast. It was the youngest of the seven cities.

History Of Philadelphia In ancient sources, Philadelphia was known for housing a number of temples and in A.D. 17 it was destroyed by a devastating earthquake. In Revelation 3:12, the believer who “overcomes” is compared to a pillar (stability) in the temple of God, and on him/it three names will be written  It had so many gods and so many temples that sometimes it was called “Little Athens.” Bacchus/Dionysius- god of wine and excesses was the main god of Philadelphia. The city of Philadelphia was also known for its beautiful buildings and architecture. Because of its volcanic fertile soil, there were many grape vineyards. Thus it was the center of the worship of the Greek god Dionysius, the god of wine. The city was backed by volcanic cliffs and though the land was rich and fertile from the volcanic residue. It was a dangerous place to live due the many earthquakes experienced by the region.

History Of Philadelphia According to Strabo, the city was in constant danger of earthquakes and experienced shocks as an everyday occurrence because of its location. As a result, many of its inhabitants chose to live in huts outside the city in the open country. There is an allusion to this in the promise of Rev, 3:12, “and he will not go out from it any more.” Like Athens, Philadelphia was a temple warden and gave to the emperor the title “The Son of the Holy One.” This is undoubtedly for this reason the Lord is called, “He who is holy, who is true” in verse 7

Descriptions of Jesus Who is true?” “True” is the Greek word (alhqinos). It means “the real, the genuine, the ideal,” and stands opposed to what is false and to what is only a picture or type of the real. First He is the One of whom all the Old Testament spoke. There we find only pictures and shadows, but He is the reality and the substance (Col. 2:16-17- Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:  Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ Second, this places Him in contrast to all the deceptions of the world and the false and futile answers they offer to man. God’s answer for man is Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6).

Lessons For The Church At Newton-Open Doors Open doors are a blessing from the Lord They are opportunities for growth. Just as the church at Philadelphia had open doors- we also have open doors unique to this congregation at this place and time Let us see those and take advantage of them. If we hold fast to the Lord, no man can take our crown. It is ours to keep or ours to lose. Are we holding fast? Are we keeping His word and unashamed of His name?

Identifying Our Open Doors Our young people Our families Souls in this area TV Program Gospel Meetings Self-Supporting Future Efforts in Evangelizing this area, and even further Growth and Unity in The work here.

Applications Men may bind us, as they did John and Paul, but God’s Word is not bound (2 Tim. 2:9). The Lord holds the key to opening doors to gospel preaching opportunities This church had a little strength, i.e., they were small in numbers by man’s standards as man counts success, but this must never disturb or discourage us. Instead of looking to the world, let’s remember that it can never compete with holiness. The Lord wins every time, and those who stand with Him win also. The power we have in Christ far surpasses even the greatest powers of Satan and his devices. We must trust in the Lord and not lean on our understanding (Pr. 3:5) 1 Jn. 5:4- For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.

It Is Possible To Please The Lord By Walking Faithfully-Gal. 5:1- Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. By Being Watchful- 1 Cor. 16:13-Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. By Refusing to Compromise with Sin-Matt. 6:24- Cannot serve God and mammon By Contending for the faith once delivered(Jude 3) By living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world Titus 2:12- Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; By adding to faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, godliness, patience, brotherly kindness and love 2 Peter 1:5ff

It Is Possible To Please The Lord! By walking in the Light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7) By not growing weary in well-doing (patience) (Gal.6:9) By being steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58) 2 Tim. 4:7-I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Romans 8:37-Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 1 Jn. 5:4-For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.