The Synagogue of Satan
“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie;” (Rev 3:9a KJV)
Just like the Church of Smyrna, the Church of Philadelphia was facing the opposition of Jews: those of the synagogue of Satan. Paul taught that a true Jew is not one that is Jewish outwardly but Jewish inwardly.
Learn MoreAn Open Door
“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.” (Rev 3:8 KJV)
The open door is metaphoric of heaven. The fact that no one can shut the door shows that no one can take away your salvation. The Church of Philadelphia was the closest to what Jesus had in mind of the model Church. The door of heaven is open to the Church of Philadelphia
Learn MoreThe Church of Philadelphia
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write;” (Rev 3:7a KJV)
Philadelphia was 30-40 miles southeast of Sardis. It suffered from the earthquake of AD17. No one knows who founded the Church of Philadelphia and there’s not much evidence of a Jewish community there. It was primarily Gentile and had a connection with Ephesus and Paul’s ministry. The Church of Philadelphia was faithful to God and was a preserving Church.
Learn MoreThe Book of Life
“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (Rev 3:5 KJV)
The book of life represents our state of salvation. In order to enter into heaven we must have our names written in the book of life. The fact that Jesus is promising to not blot out the name of those that overcome shows that we must live overcoming lives or we will have our name blotted out of the book of life.
Learn MoreDefiled
“Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments;“ (Rev 3:4a KJV)
Those that have not defiled their garments are those that are faithful to Jesus. The garment represents their lifestyle. They have not defiled themselves with sin but they have remained holy unto the Lord.
Defiled – 3435 μολύνω moluno {mol-oo’-no}
Learn MoreRemember
“Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” (Rev 3:3 KJV)
Jesus challenged the Church of Sardis to go back to their foundational doctrines and repent of not holding to that foundation. The Church had strayed from truth and died spiritually because they did not hold to the doctrines of the Apostles.
Learn MoreStrengthen
“Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.” (Rev 3:2 KJV)
Jesus is calling out to those in the Church of Sardis that haven’t fallen into sin, and are still hanging on, to not only continue standing on truth but to strengthen themselves against sin. Without strengthening ourselves in the ways of God, through prayer in digging into His Word, we will die spiritually.
Learn MoreThe Church of Sardis
“And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write;” (Rev 3:1a KJV)
Sardis is 30 miles southeast of Thyatira. It was at one time one of the greatest cities in the world. Sardis was destroyed by an earthquake in 17 AD and rebuilt by Tiberius Caesar with the help of Emperor Augustus. The people of Sardis worshiped Artemis. The Church of Sardis was the powerless Church. They were spiritually dead.
Learn MoreThe Morning Star
“And I will give him the morning star.” (Rev 2:28 KJV)
Jesus promises the morning star to those that overcome.
There are many thoughts as to what the morning star refers to. The Scriptures may not be clear enough on this point to be dogmatic, but there are several possibilities from other Scripture.
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My second book, End-Time Study Guide A Compilation of Scripture References on the End-Time
Power Over the Nations
“26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.”
(Rev 2:26-27 KJV)
Jesus gives another promise to those that overcome. This follows the prophecy from Psalms that God’s people would rule.
Learn MoreHold Fast
“But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” (Rev 2:25 KJV)
Jesus is giving His Church instructions to hold on to the teachings of the Apostles and not follow the sins of Jezebel.
Have – 2192 ἔχω echo {ekh’-o}
Meaning: 1) to have, i.e. to hold 1a) to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider or hold
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