Revelation - Week 8

Day 1

Letter to Philadelphia

READ

Revelation 3:7

7 “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.

Philadelphia was about 28 miles southeast of Sardis. The Greek words that are the basis of the name mean “brotherly love” and likely came from two earthly Roman rulers who loved each other. The Lord Jesus has the key of David and spoke to the church in Philadelphia. He is holy and true and has all power. The promise to believers is that what Jesus opens, no one is able to close, and what He closes no one can open. That can also apply to opportunities to spread the gospel.

REFLECT

Think of the opportunities God provides for you to tell others about Jesus. When He opens the door, no one can shut it.

RESPOND

With your friend, read what the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 1:12-14 about his imprisonment resulting in a furtherance of the gospel. Even pandemics cannot prevent the gospel from being spread to others. Are you doing what you can to tell others about Jesus no matter your circumstances? Do you want to disciple the lost at any cost?

Day 2

The Opened Door

READ

Revelation 3:8-9

8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 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.”

The Lord made His message personal to those in the church in Philadelphia. His promise before about opening and shutting of doors was general, now it was specific. Those in this church had little strength but they had remained faithful. Unbelieving Jews were persecuting those who loved Jesus, but they would someday admit that those in the church were those Jesus loved.

REFLECT

Even though you feel you have little strength to serve the Lord, can you be like the Philadelphian believers and obey the Lord and not deny Him?

RESPOND

What kind of Jews could be referred to in this passage? They could be like Saul of Tarsus, later known as the apostle Paul. During his unsaved days he persecuted Christ-followers (read Acts 22:3-5). When will unbelievers someday admit Jesus is Lord and will acknowledge His followers? With your friend read Philippians 2:5-11 to see what it says about Jesus. People will either bow to Jesus in this life or later in the afterlife.

Day 3

Time of Testing

READ

Revelation 3:10

10 “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.”

The believers in the church in Philadelphia had obeyed Jesus’ command to persevere. The promise He made to that church—and to all believers—is that He would keep them from the “great time of testing that would come upon the whole world.” This verse is debated by those who discuss end-time events. Some think the Church, the Body of Christ, will pass through the 70^th Week of Daniel, known as the Tribulation but will be kept from testing. Others point out, that the premise is not to be kept from the testing but to be kept from even the time of testing. This would argue for the rapture of 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 to occur before the seven-year Tribulation.

REFLECT

Whatever your understanding of future events is, do you have confidence that God will honor you for obeying Him?

RESPOND

As we will see in future chapters of Revelation, many believers will die for their faith by refusing to receive the mark of the beast. Even today, before these prophetic events occur, many are dying for their faith in Jesus as Savior. With your friend, pray for those suffering persecution because of believing in Jesus.

Day 4

A New Name

READ

Revelation 3:11-12

11 “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 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.”

The reference to coming “soon” means “quickly” or “suddenly.” Those with a confidence in the Lord’s return are encouraged to hold on to what they have. The “crown” referred to is a “victor’s crown.” Various names will be written on believers that will reveal ownership and pleasure of the owner—the eternal God. How all this will be done is uncertain, but the followers of Jesus can know everything will be done perfectly because Jesus is a perfect Savior.

REFLECT

Even though there are many things in the Bible you may not understand, do you have confidence in your perfect Savior to make everything perfect?

RESPOND

Believers often wonder what it will be like in heaven. Not many specifics are revealed, but one thing is certain: believers will be with Jesus. With your friend, read John 14:1-3 to be reassured that believers will be with Jesus.

Day 5

Listen to the Spirit

READ

Revelation 3:13

13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Although this is similar to what is said to each church, notice it is addressed to all the churches at that time. Some believe the Seven Churches of Revelation are a prediction of what the Church age will be like from Pentecost (see Acts 2) until the return of Jesus. It seems, however, the conditions in them are typical of local churches in all ages.

REFLECT

As you read about the church in Philadelphia, does it remind you of what you see in your local fellowship? If Jesus were to speak to your church group now, would He say similar things to you?

RESPOND

Talk with your friend about what would need to be done in your local fellowship to be able to hear the same comments Jesus made to the church in Philadelphia.