Pillars And Doors
Revelation 3:7-13
Message #8
In our last message to the churches of Revelation, we looked at the church of Sardis. Today, we look at the sixth church, Philadelphia, named after King Philadelphus. It was twenty-eight miles from Sardis, and the next stop on the letter carrier’s route, delivering letters to the seven churches. Philadelphia is one of only two churches that did not receive any rebuke from the Lord. The only other church that received no rebuke was Smyrna, and they were under crushing persecution.
So, Philadelphia was the only church (not under severe persecution) that received no rebuke from the Lord. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to know why? Wouldn’t it be good to be really clear on exactly what it is that Jesus has nothing but praise and commendation for?
So, I’m going to tell you what that is and then ask you to see it in our text today.
The church in Philadelphia was built on two pillars of faith – two things they would not compromise on. It’s critical that we firmly grasp what those two pillars of faith are because we must build our lives with Christ on these same two pillars!!
The pillars that led to this church receiving all commendation and no rebuke from Jesus are:
1). They kept his Word (held fast to)
Listen, let me say right up front that there are churches that claim to be adhering to the Word of God, to keeping the Word of God. But if you just pull back the covers a little bit, if you dig in a little bit, actually what they are committed to is keeping their own opinions and views and interpretations of the Word of God. And so, I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about Philadelphia keeping the actual Word of God as it was written.
2). They did not deny his name
Remember, the “name” in the Bible refers to the complete character and nature of a person. So, when we say “according to the name of Jesus,” we’re saying “according to the complete character and nature of who Jesus is.” This church in Philadelphia did not deny who Jesus Christ was. They did not deny his name. They did not deny his character or nature. That is who we want to be.
I want us to hear loud and clear what will bring us the Lord’s commendation and his approval.
1). Keep his Word (hold fast – guard)
2). Do not deny his name (who he is, character and nature)
That is who we want to be. The church is the universal Church. And we want Calvary Chapel Nuevo to have these exact same pillars. We have fought hard to do this for twenty-two years. You want to be part of THE Church, the universal Church of all believers who keep God’s Word and do not deny the name, the character, and nature of Jesus Christ.
In this message, we are going to connect Pillars and Doors. We are going to connect those two pillars with doors.
Revelation 3:7 (NLT)
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:
Remember that Jesus identifies himself to every church by what they need to hear from him. And so, maybe because Jesus has NO rebuke for the church of Philadelphia. He starts by identifying himself as the One who is holy and true. (That is saying he is God.) AND then he identifies himself as the one who has the key of David.
In Isaiah 22 is a prophecy regarding the “Key to the House of David,” and it is a reference to “The Keys to the Kingdom,” you might say. And the keys in Isaiah 22 were actually the keys to the treasures of Solomon’s Temple, but in the big picture, we can say the keys to the Kingdom. And Jesus IS the ONLY Holy and True One who holds the keys to the Kingdom. And a door that he opens, no one can close; and a door that he closes, no one can open.
And so, today, we are connecting Pillars and Doors.
We’ve introduced the two pillars of this faithful church.
1). They kept his Word
2). They did not deny his name
And now, we have our first reference to open and closed “doors.” The phrase “an open door” is used often in the New Testament in regard to the missionary work of Paul. In Acts 14:27, Paul and Barnabas told the church in Antioch how God “had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” Notice that the open door is a door of the gospel. It’s a door of growing the Kingdom.
Paul tells the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 16:9 that he must stay in Ephesus because “a wide door for effective work has opened to me.” In 2 Corinthians 2:12, Paul explains how “a door was opened for me to preach the gospel in Troas.” And in Colossians 4:3, Paul says, “pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word.”
These doors are opportunities created by the Lord for the gospel and the Kingdom of God to be spread. And it is the Lord Jesus, the Sovereign Ruling King of Heaven, who opens these doors and who shuts these doors.
So, Pillars are what our lives are built on
Doors are what the Lord opens or shuts at HIS own will
So now, Jesus begins his analysis of the church in Philadelphia just like he has to every other church.
Revelation 3:8 (NLT)
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 (my name).
Jesus starts like he does every letter I know. . . But then, instead of pointing out a problem or concern, Jesus says right away . . . and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.
And then, to explain why he has opened this door for them, Jesus defines the two pillars (that we’ve already discussed). In the second half of verse 8, Jesus says I have opened a door for you that no one can close. [because – although] You have little strength, yet you obeyed (kept) my word (Pillar #1) and did not deny MY NAME (Pillar #2)
Guys, Jesus is not looking for those who have “strength in themselves” to DO his work. When Jesus WANTS to use us, he prepares us to be truly used by him by making sure the we have “little strength” in ourselves.
This is a phenomenal poem on how God prepares us for ministry by breaking us. And as soon as we have little strength in ourselves, then we are ready. He doesn’t want your own strength.
WHEN GOD WANTS TO DRILL A MAN
When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And which every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out-
God knows what He’s about.
– Anonymous
Jesus does not want our own strength. Please listen carefully. Jesus wants his strength to show in our weakness.
In 2 Corinthians 12, three times Paul begged God to take away his “thorn in the flesh,” and three times the Lord said “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” To which the Apostle Paul responds in the same verse, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
And so, Jesus says to the faithful church of Philadelphia, you have little strength of your own (compliment), and then in an even greater compliment, Jesus says, yet you have obeyed (kept) my Word and you have not denied (my name). Again, those are the pillars that got this church only praise from the Lord.
The Pillars of the faithful church are:
1). You have kept my word
2). You have not denied my name
These are the absolute, immovable, unshakable pillars mandatory for the existence of the faithful church, and because of these pillars, the Lord was opening doors of Kingdom opportunity for them. Do you see it?
Our job is to hold fast to the pillars and watch and be ready for the Lord to open the doors.
And then, Jesus addresses the enemies of the faithful church (which I love).
Revelation 3:9 (NLT)
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.
Every church that is commended by the Lord is attacked by the enemy, and in my personal experience, often the attacks come from those who think their actions are on behalf of God.
This is not replacement theology. The word “Jews” come from the word “Judah,” which means “praise.” The synagogue of Satan would be a gathering (at that time) of those who say they praise God, but they’re actually being used by the enemy. Can you imagine people in the church who think they are working for God but are actually working for the enemy?
But Jesus says, don’t worry about those who claim to be of God but are actually working for the enemy. In time, I will make sure that they know I have loved you.
What a great prayer for us to pray for those who would stand against us, that they would know that Jesus actually loves us, and Jesus promises this will occur for the faithful church who holds fast to his Word and hold fast to his name.
And then, really good news in verse 10.
Revelation 3:10 (NLT)
10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere (in holding to His Word and His Name), 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.
This is a super clear reference to The Great Tribulation, and Jesus says “I will protect you from” (Literally, “I will KEEP you from” or “I will keep you OUT of”) the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world – to test those who belong to this world.
The Great Tribulation will come upon the whole world. But here is the Good News. That Great Tribulation will test (or try) those who belong to this world.
And so, I pray today that you do not belong to this world. But I pray instead that you belong to God and are a citizen of Heaven so that you will be among those who will be kept from (out of) this “Great Time of Testing.”
Guys, we believe the Bible teaches that believers will be raptured – caught up – with Jesus at the beginning of the Tribulation. We are convinced by this verse and others that believers will be kept out of The Great Tribulation that is coming on this world. And so, we have strong encouragement here to make a no-turning-back commitment to be part of this faithful church that holds fast to the Word of God and holds fast to the Name of Jesus Christ.
And then Jesus gives us more encouragement to be part of this faithful church.
Revelation 3:11 (NLT)
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
When Jesus says, “I am coming soon” – the word SOON Means Suddenly, Swiftly, in the Blink-of-an-eye
And so, Jesus says hold on to the pillars of your faith. See to it that no one takes away your crown (by force or by deceit) because. . .
Revelation 3:12(a) (NLT)
12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it . . .
Jesus says those who hold fast to the pillars of his Word and his name, they will themselves be made pillars (referring to a position of honor) in the Temple of God.
Guys, our number one priority is to:
Hold fast to the Word of God and
Hold fast to the Name of Jesus
And my number one priority is to encourage you and teach you to do just that.
Keep holding fast
to the Word of God (and only the Word of God) and
to the Name of Jesus (meaning all that he is).
And if we will hold fast to the Word of God and Name of Jesus, not only will Jesus make us pillars in the Temple of God, but verse 12 continues.
Revelation 3:12(b) (NLT)
12 . . . 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.
All of this refers to our identification, our belonging to God
We’ll have the Name of God on us
We’ll be citizens of the New Jerusalem
and we’ll have the name that Jesus himself gives us.
We will be his. We’ll have his name all over us, and I promise you, in Heaven, for eternity, that is going to be a very big deal.
So now, in the prophetic perspective of the seven churches, the church of Philadelphia prophecies the time of the great missionary explosion, which occurred in the first Great Awakening (1730’s) AND the second Great Awakening (1800’s).
(Why were there two Great Awakenings? The first Great Awakening was all about a return to the Word of God. The second Great Awakening was all about the Holy Spirit.)
And this double move of God brought a phenomenal spiritual and missionary awakening worldwide.
Out of this time period we got:
Hudson Taylor
John Wesley
Charles Spurgeon
D.L. Moody and dozens more.
Hundreds of great missionary agencies began during this time, and they all have done incredible and supernatural work around the world till this day. The church during this time was holding fast to the Word of God and to the Name of Christ like no other time in church history.
And Jesus opened a door for them like no other time in church history. Please see the connection. The church holds fast to the pillars, and the Lord opens the door to accomplish his work.
The promises and assurances that Jesus gives the faithful church are absolutely overwhelming.
1) An Open Door, which no one is able to shut
2) Our enemies bow to the fact that Jesus LOVES us
3) He will Keep us FROM the Time of Tribulation on the Earth
4) He will make us PILLARS in the Temple of God
5) HE will write the NAME of God, and New Jerusalem, and His own New Name – on us For Eternity
Please hear me when I say this is the church we want to be associated with spiritually.
There are none of the warnings and judgments that we’ve seen in all but one of the other churches. Here, there are only promises and commendations. And we’ve got to know it is because this church was holding fast to the Word of God and holding fast to the Name of Jesus.
We can do that! We can do that same thing. And we can receive that same reward and same blessings, and we can make a commitment to do that right now.
Revelation 3:13 (NLT)
13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Jesus is saying,
If we hold fast to the Word of God and
if we hold fast to the Name of Jesus Christ
He will open Kingdom doors for us, and he will keep us from (out of) the coming Great Tribulation!!
So, let me give you an opportunity to be associated (spiritually) with the faithful Church of Philadelphia – right now.
So, Philadelphia was the only church (not under severe persecution) that received no rebuke from the Lord. Wouldn’t it be a good idea to know why? Wouldn’t it be good to be really clear on exactly what it is that Jesus has nothing but praise and commendation for?
So, I’m going to tell you what that is and then ask you to see it in our text today.
The church in Philadelphia was built on two pillars of faith – two things they would not compromise on. It’s critical that we firmly grasp what those two pillars of faith are because we must build our lives with Christ on these same two pillars!!
The pillars that led to this church receiving all commendation and no rebuke from Jesus are:
1). They kept his Word (held fast to)
Listen, let me say right up front that there are churches that claim to be adhering to the Word of God, to keeping the Word of God. But if you just pull back the covers a little bit, if you dig in a little bit, actually what they are committed to is keeping their own opinions and views and interpretations of the Word of God. And so, I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about Philadelphia keeping the actual Word of God as it was written.
2). They did not deny his name
Remember, the “name” in the Bible refers to the complete character and nature of a person. So, when we say “according to the name of Jesus,” we’re saying “according to the complete character and nature of who Jesus is.” This church in Philadelphia did not deny who Jesus Christ was. They did not deny his name. They did not deny his character or nature. That is who we want to be.
I want us to hear loud and clear what will bring us the Lord’s commendation and his approval.
1). Keep his Word (hold fast – guard)
2). Do not deny his name (who he is, character and nature)
That is who we want to be. The church is the universal Church. And we want Calvary Chapel Nuevo to have these exact same pillars. We have fought hard to do this for twenty-two years. You want to be part of THE Church, the universal Church of all believers who keep God’s Word and do not deny the name, the character, and nature of Jesus Christ.
In this message, we are going to connect Pillars and Doors. We are going to connect those two pillars with doors.
Revelation 3:7 (NLT)
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:
Remember that Jesus identifies himself to every church by what they need to hear from him. And so, maybe because Jesus has NO rebuke for the church of Philadelphia. He starts by identifying himself as the One who is holy and true. (That is saying he is God.) AND then he identifies himself as the one who has the key of David.
In Isaiah 22 is a prophecy regarding the “Key to the House of David,” and it is a reference to “The Keys to the Kingdom,” you might say. And the keys in Isaiah 22 were actually the keys to the treasures of Solomon’s Temple, but in the big picture, we can say the keys to the Kingdom. And Jesus IS the ONLY Holy and True One who holds the keys to the Kingdom. And a door that he opens, no one can close; and a door that he closes, no one can open.
And so, today, we are connecting Pillars and Doors.
We’ve introduced the two pillars of this faithful church.
1). They kept his Word
2). They did not deny his name
And now, we have our first reference to open and closed “doors.” The phrase “an open door” is used often in the New Testament in regard to the missionary work of Paul. In Acts 14:27, Paul and Barnabas told the church in Antioch how God “had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.” Notice that the open door is a door of the gospel. It’s a door of growing the Kingdom.
Paul tells the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 16:9 that he must stay in Ephesus because “a wide door for effective work has opened to me.” In 2 Corinthians 2:12, Paul explains how “a door was opened for me to preach the gospel in Troas.” And in Colossians 4:3, Paul says, “pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word.”
These doors are opportunities created by the Lord for the gospel and the Kingdom of God to be spread. And it is the Lord Jesus, the Sovereign Ruling King of Heaven, who opens these doors and who shuts these doors.
So, Pillars are what our lives are built on
Doors are what the Lord opens or shuts at HIS own will
So now, Jesus begins his analysis of the church in Philadelphia just like he has to every other church.
Revelation 3:8 (NLT)
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 (my name).
Jesus starts like he does every letter I know. . . But then, instead of pointing out a problem or concern, Jesus says right away . . . and I have opened a door for you that no one can close.
And then, to explain why he has opened this door for them, Jesus defines the two pillars (that we’ve already discussed). In the second half of verse 8, Jesus says I have opened a door for you that no one can close. [because – although] You have little strength, yet you obeyed (kept) my word (Pillar #1) and did not deny MY NAME (Pillar #2)
Guys, Jesus is not looking for those who have “strength in themselves” to DO his work. When Jesus WANTS to use us, he prepares us to be truly used by him by making sure the we have “little strength” in ourselves.
This is a phenomenal poem on how God prepares us for ministry by breaking us. And as soon as we have little strength in ourselves, then we are ready. He doesn’t want your own strength.
WHEN GOD WANTS TO DRILL A MAN
When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man
When God wants to mold a man
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him,
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When his good He undertakes;
How He uses whom He chooses,
And which every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendor out-
God knows what He’s about.
– Anonymous
Jesus does not want our own strength. Please listen carefully. Jesus wants his strength to show in our weakness.
In 2 Corinthians 12, three times Paul begged God to take away his “thorn in the flesh,” and three times the Lord said “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” To which the Apostle Paul responds in the same verse, “So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”
And so, Jesus says to the faithful church of Philadelphia, you have little strength of your own (compliment), and then in an even greater compliment, Jesus says, yet you have obeyed (kept) my Word and you have not denied (my name). Again, those are the pillars that got this church only praise from the Lord.
The Pillars of the faithful church are:
1). You have kept my word
2). You have not denied my name
These are the absolute, immovable, unshakable pillars mandatory for the existence of the faithful church, and because of these pillars, the Lord was opening doors of Kingdom opportunity for them. Do you see it?
Our job is to hold fast to the pillars and watch and be ready for the Lord to open the doors.
And then, Jesus addresses the enemies of the faithful church (which I love).
Revelation 3:9 (NLT)
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.
Every church that is commended by the Lord is attacked by the enemy, and in my personal experience, often the attacks come from those who think their actions are on behalf of God.
This is not replacement theology. The word “Jews” come from the word “Judah,” which means “praise.” The synagogue of Satan would be a gathering (at that time) of those who say they praise God, but they’re actually being used by the enemy. Can you imagine people in the church who think they are working for God but are actually working for the enemy?
But Jesus says, don’t worry about those who claim to be of God but are actually working for the enemy. In time, I will make sure that they know I have loved you.
What a great prayer for us to pray for those who would stand against us, that they would know that Jesus actually loves us, and Jesus promises this will occur for the faithful church who holds fast to his Word and hold fast to his name.
And then, really good news in verse 10.
Revelation 3:10 (NLT)
10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere (in holding to His Word and His Name), 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.
This is a super clear reference to The Great Tribulation, and Jesus says “I will protect you from” (Literally, “I will KEEP you from” or “I will keep you OUT of”) the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world – to test those who belong to this world.
The Great Tribulation will come upon the whole world. But here is the Good News. That Great Tribulation will test (or try) those who belong to this world.
And so, I pray today that you do not belong to this world. But I pray instead that you belong to God and are a citizen of Heaven so that you will be among those who will be kept from (out of) this “Great Time of Testing.”
Guys, we believe the Bible teaches that believers will be raptured – caught up – with Jesus at the beginning of the Tribulation. We are convinced by this verse and others that believers will be kept out of The Great Tribulation that is coming on this world. And so, we have strong encouragement here to make a no-turning-back commitment to be part of this faithful church that holds fast to the Word of God and holds fast to the Name of Jesus Christ.
And then Jesus gives us more encouragement to be part of this faithful church.
Revelation 3:11 (NLT)
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.
When Jesus says, “I am coming soon” – the word SOON Means Suddenly, Swiftly, in the Blink-of-an-eye
And so, Jesus says hold on to the pillars of your faith. See to it that no one takes away your crown (by force or by deceit) because. . .
Revelation 3:12(a) (NLT)
12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it . . .
Jesus says those who hold fast to the pillars of his Word and his name, they will themselves be made pillars (referring to a position of honor) in the Temple of God.
Guys, our number one priority is to:
Hold fast to the Word of God and
Hold fast to the Name of Jesus
And my number one priority is to encourage you and teach you to do just that.
Keep holding fast
to the Word of God (and only the Word of God) and
to the Name of Jesus (meaning all that he is).
And if we will hold fast to the Word of God and Name of Jesus, not only will Jesus make us pillars in the Temple of God, but verse 12 continues.
Revelation 3:12(b) (NLT)
12 . . . 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.
All of this refers to our identification, our belonging to God
We’ll have the Name of God on us
We’ll be citizens of the New Jerusalem
and we’ll have the name that Jesus himself gives us.
We will be his. We’ll have his name all over us, and I promise you, in Heaven, for eternity, that is going to be a very big deal.
So now, in the prophetic perspective of the seven churches, the church of Philadelphia prophecies the time of the great missionary explosion, which occurred in the first Great Awakening (1730’s) AND the second Great Awakening (1800’s).
(Why were there two Great Awakenings? The first Great Awakening was all about a return to the Word of God. The second Great Awakening was all about the Holy Spirit.)
And this double move of God brought a phenomenal spiritual and missionary awakening worldwide.
Out of this time period we got:
Hudson Taylor
John Wesley
Charles Spurgeon
D.L. Moody and dozens more.
Hundreds of great missionary agencies began during this time, and they all have done incredible and supernatural work around the world till this day. The church during this time was holding fast to the Word of God and to the Name of Christ like no other time in church history.
And Jesus opened a door for them like no other time in church history. Please see the connection. The church holds fast to the pillars, and the Lord opens the door to accomplish his work.
The promises and assurances that Jesus gives the faithful church are absolutely overwhelming.
1) An Open Door, which no one is able to shut
2) Our enemies bow to the fact that Jesus LOVES us
3) He will Keep us FROM the Time of Tribulation on the Earth
4) He will make us PILLARS in the Temple of God
5) HE will write the NAME of God, and New Jerusalem, and His own New Name – on us For Eternity
Please hear me when I say this is the church we want to be associated with spiritually.
There are none of the warnings and judgments that we’ve seen in all but one of the other churches. Here, there are only promises and commendations. And we’ve got to know it is because this church was holding fast to the Word of God and holding fast to the Name of Jesus.
We can do that! We can do that same thing. And we can receive that same reward and same blessings, and we can make a commitment to do that right now.
Revelation 3:13 (NLT)
13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.
Jesus is saying,
If we hold fast to the Word of God and
if we hold fast to the Name of Jesus Christ
He will open Kingdom doors for us, and he will keep us from (out of) the coming Great Tribulation!!
So, let me give you an opportunity to be associated (spiritually) with the faithful Church of Philadelphia – right now.