Philadelphia: A Period of Great Revival.
“Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. – Revelation 3:9-13.
The Greek word behind “bow down” in our text is the typical word for “worship” in the Book of Revelation. The background to this text is in the Old Testament. The sons of those who oppressed the Jews in Babylon would bow down to them, showing that they were no longer despised, but now were honoured (45:14; 49:23; 60:14).
I remember the story of a Pastor who picked up his 10mth old daughter on the way to the lectern to preach. He began his sermon from the podium with his daughter in his arms. The girl at first stared wide-eyed at the congregation. Then she got bored and proceeded to put his tie in her mouth, grab his glasses and pull his nose and hair. Each time the audience would break out in laughter.
Finally, when the audience became still, the Pastor said to the congregation, “Is there anything that she could do that you could not forgive her for?” People began to nod, thinking of their own children and grandchildren.
The Pastor continued, “And when does that end? At three? At fifteen? At thirty? How old does someone have to be before you forget that everyone is a child of God?”
There was total silence in the audience. Very softly the pastor asked, “And when did you forget that you too are a child of God?”
Does God love us less than we love our children? Is a three-year-old’s continuation as part of the family conditional upon never making a mess? Conditional on earning his or her keep? Do we think God is a poorer parent than most of us? Do we feel inside that we could never be good enough to merit God’s acceptance and favour? Consciously, or unconsciously, we often operate from a fear-driven covenant with God, and many of our behaviours and relationships are motivated by an effort to avoid God’s judgment.
Many of us strive fearfully to deserve God’s love. We are reluctant to believe that we belong. Perhaps that is the cause of most of our stress. Perhaps we need to become like children again to know just how much God loves us.
In our world today people prize athletes who brag and posture, but real greatness is found in patient endurance, the kind that finds its greatness in service and the self-sacrifice of the Lamb. In v10 Philadelphians are praised, not for their skills, their wealth, or their worldly success, but for their patience in the face of poverty, weakness, and persecution. The message of Revelation turns the philosophy of this world on its head. Anyone can fight back when rage takes over. It takes strength of character not to respond to provocation.
Jesus encourages the Philadelphians to “hold fast what they have.” They are to cling to certain values. Jesus wanted them to hang on tightly to their salvation (John 10:29). He wanted them to hang onto their patience and not move ahead of God’s plans for their lives. He wanted them to hang onto their consistency in obeying Him and in doing good.
So never give up! Hang on tight to all that truly matters. Jesus is coming soon.
Because of difficulties with the local synagogue historically, the members of the Philadelphian church seem to have questioned their access to God. This letter assures them of their continued access to God in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who holds the key of David. He opens the door of access into heaven for them and he will make them like a pillar in the temple! That means they will always be a part of God’s inner circle.
The message of this church applies prophetically to the great revival of Protestantism during the time of the great awakenings that took place in Britian and America, from about 1740 to 1844. Great revivals took place in churches on both sides of the Atlantic. This revival motivated the church to carry the gospel to the whole world. It resulted in the greatest expansion of Christianity since the time of Pentecost. In the years leading up to 1844, missionary endeavour was paramount, and the message of Christ’s soon return was proclaimed in many parts of the world.