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{SEVEN CHURCHES} #7

 {SEVEN LETTERS} 

Find Us Faithful_ 

Revelation 3:7-13 

 
“The letter to Philadelphia is a letter of undiluted praise.” That’s how biblical scholar, William Barclay, summarises it. There is no condemnation of the church found in the letter.  Philadelphia represents the faithful church and the faithful Christian. As Jesus speaks to these believers, he commends them and encourages them, but not once does he have to rebuke them. The command “repent”, that appears over and over in these seven letters, is absent from this one. This is a church weak in itself but mighty in the Spirit. It is a church Christ loves... 

 

[Discussion starter question] How do we usually measure success in a church? 
How do you think Jesus measures success? 

 

The city of Philadelphia (the one in Asia Minor [Turkey] not in Pennsylvania, USA!) gained its reputation as a missionary city. In 140 BC (more than 200 years before the letters of Revelation were written), a ruler named Attalus decided to import Greek culture to the barbarian people in this interior region of Asia Minor. He used the city of Philadelphia (first built in 189 BC by his brother Eumenes) as the launch point to spread the Greek language and the Greek way of life to people locked in what he saw as crude and uncivilized ways. Philadelphia was to be the door for Greek culture into the whole region. 

Now a new door of opportunity was wide open in Philadelphia – not for the gospel of the Greeks, but for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was open to a small band of seemingly weak and uninfluential Christians, a band of Christians very much like us... 

 
[Read Revelation 3:7-13] 

 

In verse 8, Jesus knows this church’s deeds. 
As you scan back through this letter, what actions or qualities is Jesus referring to? 

 

An “open door "stands before this group of believers. 
What facts should encourage them to go through the door? 

 

What realities about the church might cause them to hesitate? 

 

The believers in Philadelphia also faced opposition to their mission, probably from Jewish people who had rejected Jesus as ‘Messiah’.  
In verse 9, what promise does Jesus give the Christians and how do you think they responded to that promise? 
 

 

Jesus makes another promise to this faithful church, in verse 10. 
What do you think Jesus is talking about in this verse? 

 

How would you explain this verse to a Christian experiencing persecution today? 

 

In verse 11, Jesus’ affirmation that he is coming soon is followed by his encouragement to hold on to what we have. 
What exactly are we to hold on to, and what happens if we fail to hold firmly? 

 

Jesus expands on the idea of rewards by making several promises to the one who overcomes by faith (verse 12). 
What does each promise mean to you, and why would you seek that gift from the Lord? 
 

 

What aspects of the faithful church in Philadelphia do you see in your own church (or in this bible study)? 
 

 

What qualities of the faithful believer do you see in yourself? 

 

How has the Lord spoken to you in this letter? 

 

What needs to be strengthened in your life? 

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