Christ Letter Of Evaluation To The Philadelphia And Laodicean Churches In The Book of Revelation
INTRODUCTION TO JESUS' LETTER TO THE MODEL CHURCHES
The Apostle John was given, as part of his vision regarding the end of this age, letters to seven churches. The seven were chosen because they are a complete model of the most likely kinds of problems all congregations of believers will face. The letter is addressed to seven churches. Seven is the number of completion. The message is not from an Apostle but directly from Jesus himself to all of us. These letters were given to and read to these seven churches that actually existed in 96 CE. All believers are blessed if we receive these evaluations and obey them.
Revelation 1:1-4 NKJV 1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants...signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:... from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
The evaluations are sent to the Angel of the churches not to the people or Elders. This is a spiritual battle and is therefore addressed to the spiritual leaders, the Angels. All believers are told to listen to the messages to all seven churches. All the praises and criticism are of profound, spiritual value. If we have ears we are to listen to what Jesus says to all seven churches.
Revelation 2:11 NKJV 11 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death."'
If we want eternal life in the family of God, we need to win or overcome with God's help, this age and its trials by listening to the messages given to the seven churches.
JESUS CHRIST' EVALUATION OF THE PHILADELPHIA CONGREGATION
It will prove helpful to us to focus first on the last two churches on the mail route. These are two that are most discussed and at times most misunderstood in our day. We will cover the other churches in part two. This congregation has the most glowing evaluation of all seven so everyone tends to say we are them. Let us look at why this church was so successful and what we can learn from their dedication.
Revelation 3:7-8 NKJV 7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens": 8 "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
The key of David is the one who has the authority to act in the name of the king, the king is God.
Isaiah 22:22 NKJV 22 The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open.
Jesus is saying that this church has a little strength but it is based on the authority of God and will have a door open to them to do the work of God. We must assume this is in spite of the circumstances. God will not let this church be shut down. People speculate about the DOOR that cannot be shut. What does that mean? THESE MESSAGES LIKE MUCH OF THE BIBLE ARE DUAL. They had one early meaning for the people at the time of the writing and have a larger meaning for us at the end of the age. Can the door in our day be the INTERNET or some subset of the global internet? Note most of all, that this church kept all of Christ Words. They believed in and obeyed all the parts of the Bible. Remember Jesus was the God of the OT who inspired Moses. Jesus also inspired the Apostles who also wrote the NT. Also the Philadelphians are not ashamed of the name Jesus Christ. Even in America we see some pressuring us not to use the name of Jesus Christ in public. Jesus then compares them to another congregation located in the same area.
Revelation 3:9 NKJV 9 "Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Remember that Christianity was thought of as a sect within Judaism in the first century. Christ is saying that the other congregation that think they are true worshipers of the true God are wrong. No doubt their leaders are lying. They have taken the poison pill of apostasy and probably are larger than the little, righteous Philadelphian congregation. Jesus is revealing that someday rivals will have to admit that we are in the family of God and they are not and were wrong. This will happen in the second resurrection. The good churches that are in the true Philadelphian spirit receives a fabulous blessing during the end of this age.
Revelation 3:10 NKJV 10 "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
What a wonderful reward for being faithful to Jesus ! God has places of safety in the end time and protection from the plagues of God. When we get in the right spiritual actions we can claim this promise of protection from the great tribulation that will come upon the entire planet. God does have one warning for the Philadelphian church.
Revelation 3:11-12 NKJV 11 "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem,... And I will write on him My new name.
We must hold on tight. Pressures will come to try to get us to quit and or get discouraged and drift back into the world. Christ says hold on, it is worth it. Jesus is saying that if we hold on not only will we get eternal life but receive a position in the headquarters of God. The Philadelphian type believers will be Pillars in God's government probably forever. Wow!
JESUS' LETTER TO THE LAODICEAN CHURCH
This is the church that all wish to run from and label their rivals as being. But all need to remember that this is JESUS CHRISTS' EVALUATION. It is not our evaluation. A believer may feel that his congregation or organization is the most righteous. But his evaluation is not what counts it is Jesus's evaluation that really matters. Oddly enough the Laodiceans thought they were wonderful, and awesome. However the true evaluation from Christ was otherwise.
Revelation 3:14-15 NKJV 14 "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
Jesus is not happy with them they are caught in the worse possible position. If they were cold or totally deceived God could easily give them another chance in the second resurrection so Christ says:
Revelation 3:16 NKJV 16 "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Jesus will spit them out! What a condemnation. Don't we all live in an age of apathy. Yes we do take for granted our blessings and are complacent about many things including religion. Probably, the other six churches lived in various levels of overt or at least tight economics because of bias against true believers. However Laodicean lived in a wealthy environment and apparently were blessed economically. Wealth is a spiritual handicap. People who have a lot of material goods are more likely to rely on material things and not feel the need for God. Those in poverty laden countries are more fervent in their religious beliefs. Western believer like Americans have the materialism wealth handicap. It can push us toward apathy.
Revelation 3:17 NKJV 17 "Because you say, 'I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing' --and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—
Obviously people know if they are naked or blind so it is clearly a spiritual issue. They believe they are spiritually rich and righteous but based on Christ evaluation, they are wretched. Further they cannot see the truth about themselves because they are spiritually blind. Paul tells us to examine ourselves at the New Covenant Passover. This requires some insight to see self accurately. This group was blind as a bat. The lesson for us all to learn is that our bragging about how good our organization or congregation is can be dangerous. Stay humble. The Laodiceans were falsely proud of their goodness. A group believing how good they are can be a sign of false pride. We may not be able to see ourselves objectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Spiritual over confidence can be dangerous. God hates pride. We like the Philadelphians should not let anyone take our crowns. We must fight for truth and not let anyone seduce us back to the world. We must continue to be dedicated until the end.
2 Thessalonians 2:3 NKJV 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, ...
The Laodiceans were overwhelmed by spiritual blindness and pride. They could not really see their lack of righteous clothing. They were naked but had no idea of their true condition. Therefore we all must stay continually repentant and strive toward not falling into these deadly, spiritual conditions.
Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Never become complacent!
