things which must shortly come to pass

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FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, June 16, 2013

Week 6

THINGS WHICH MUST SHORTLY COME TO PASS A STUDY OF REVELATION—PART 6 Today we continue our study with the church of Philadelphia. (Revelation 3:7-13). This church represents the things which are (Revelation 1:19).

I. THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA A. It was one of the strongest of the seven churches. B. It was a great missionary church. C. Philadelphia was the youngest of the seven churches. D. Philadelphia was the gateway to the East. E. One of the Pergamum kings, Attalus Philadelphos, founded the city. 1. It was founded in 150 BC. 2. Attalus had a brother whom he loved dearly. 3. Therefore, we have the word “Philadephia”, the city of “brotherly love”.

II. THE MESSAGE TO THE PASTOR FROM THE SAVIOUR (3:7) A. Jesus identifies Himself as holy (3:7). 1. He alone possesses absolute holiness. 2. To say that He is holy is to say that God is completely separate from sin. 3. His character is unblemished and flawless. 4. He does what He does because He is Who He is. 5. Christ alone possesses the holy and sinless nature of God. B. Jesus identifies Himself as “he that is true.” (3:7) 1. He is true compared to other gods, who are false. 2. In a world of falsehood, He is the Standard of Truth. 3. Jesus only is the truth about salvation. I(John 14:6) C. The city was known for extensive pagan worship.

III. THE OBSERVATION OF JESUS (3:8) A. Continually walking in the churches, He recognizes their works. 1. Works are vitally important, not for salvation. 2. Works are vitally important following salvation. 3. Our Lord mentions works in all seven churches. B. Our Lord honors any commitment to truth. (3:8) 1. Although it was small, their strength was noticed (3:8) a. God’s strength is more than enough to make up for human weakness. b. Spiritual power flowed in the Philadelphia church. 2. They had kept the word of their Lord. (3:8) a. John was banned to Patmos because of his stand on the Word of God. (1:9)

FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, June 16, 2013

Week 6

b. Later in the Tribulation, there will be those persecuted because of their stand on the Word of God. (6:9: “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:”) c. We are admonished to hold fast that which is good (I Thess. 5:21: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”) d. The Word of God is rejected today by the masses. However, to those who hold fast, as reward is promised. 3. They refused to deny the Name of Jesus. (3:8) a. The Jews who rejected Jesus probably tried to force church members to deny the Name of Christ. b. This message is being replayed today i. In our government ii. In our schools iii. In our society iv. Jude foretold such a day—“Denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 4b) v. This was the message to the early church—Acts 4:18: “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.”

IV. THE RECKONING OF JESUS (3:9) A. Those who were in the lineage of Abraham continued to deny the just and holy Christ. (3:9) B. Evidently they were Judaizers trying to corrupt the pure Gospel of Christ. C. Our Lord would and will even the score. (3:9) 1. The vindication could have come in their lifetime. 2. For some, God will even the score in this world. 3. For others, the score will be evened in eternity. 4. All Christians who remain faithful win in the end. 5. One day, the world will acknowledge that Christians were right and that they had a Book which was right.

V. THE PROMISES OF JESUS (3:10) A. They have been delivered from the wrath to come (I Thess. 1:10) 1. No day of Jacob’s trouble for the child of God. 2. The outline of Revelation teaches that great truth. B. The rapture will deliver the child of God from tribulation. (3:10) 1. The child of God should recognize that His coming will be without warning. (3:11: “I come quickly.”) 2. His coming will be with reward to the faithful (3:11: “No man will take thy crown.”) C. God will give stability to His children (3:12) 1. We will be like pillars. (3:12) a. In pagan temples, particular deities had their names carved in pillars. b.Believers will have an eternal place of honor in the house of God.

FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND A 52-Week Study of the Book of Revelation

DR. RON BAITY Sunday, June 16, 2013

Week 6

2. The saints will be established in Heaven. (3:12) a. Earthquakes were prevalent in Philadelphia. b.The people had to flee the city of Philadelphia because of earthquakes and enemies. c. There is security in Heaven—no one will have to flee 3. The saints will be established for Heaven (3:12) a. Three great truths: i. The believer will have the Name of God. (3:12) ii. The believer will have the name of the city. (3:12) iii. The believer will have a new name. (3:12) b.When sinners become saints, God does wonderful things for the saint (3:12) i. God marks us for eternity. ii. We have His Name. (3:12) iii. We have His destiny. (3:12) iv. We will be delivered safely.

VI. THE WORD OF THE SPIRIT (3:13) A. His Word to the seven churches is consistent. B. Two great truths are set forth. 1. The Holy Spirit is speaking in the Church Age (3:13) 2. The church is responsible to heart what He has to say. C. The disciples at Ephesus mirrors much of today’s thoughts about the Holy Spirit— Acts 19:2: “he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” 1. Many churches could continue on uninterrupted if the Holy Spirit was removed and never miss him. 2. Zechariah said it right: “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)