THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA         	 Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  10-10-99  A.M.  		Revelation 3:7-13  	 
	Here is the "beloved" church.  Of course, the Lord Loves all His own... and He loves 
the Lost too.. but there is a special relationship with this "church" and a special promise too. 
I. NOTICE THE ONE SPEAKING... 
  A. He that is Holy.. OT reference to God (Is.6:3).. 
    1. A direct claim of the deity of Christ.  Jn.6:67 
  B. He That Is True.. genuine, authentic,  Jn.14:6 
  C. He That Has The Key of David.. the Messianic office 
    1. Keys of Salvation and blessing... Rev.5:5; 22:16 
    2. Keys of death and hell... 1:18 
  D. He That Opens... and no one can shut.. 
  E. He That Shuts... and no one can open..  He is Omnipotent!! 
II. NOTICE THEIR CITY.. 
  A. Founded by the citizens of Pergamos... about 30 mi. from Sardis 
  B. Built in a frontier area.. gateway to central plateau of Asia Minor 
  C. Kept the barbarians out of the region 
  D. Brought in Greek culture and language 
  E. Destroyed in an earthquake in AD 17, rebuilt with aid of Caesar Tiberius 
  F. City of "Brotherly Love" 
III. NOTICE THEIR CHURCH.. 
  A. They Had An Open Door of Opportunity.. Paul 1Cor.16:8,9; 2Cor.2:12; Col.4:2,3  
	- Think of Trinity's Open Doors !!! 
  B. They Had A "Little Strength" .. small in numbers.. but great in impact. 
IV.  NOTICE THEIR COMMENDATION.. 
  A. They Were "Workers"  8 .. in spite of "little power" (2Cor.12:10; Eph.6:10..) 
  B. They Had Kept His Word 8,10.. 
    1. Obedience to it... we are in a time when the Bible seems to have little authority. 
    2. Obedience... the proof of our love.. Jn.14:23,24; 15:13,14 
  C. They Had Not Denied His Name.. remained loyal no matter what the cost 
  D. They Had Persevered.. steadfast.. (Jesus' earthly life.. Heb.12:2-4) 
    1. Endurance is an essential aspect of saving faith.. Mt.10:22 
V.  NOTICE THEIR CONDEMNATION..    NONE!!! 
VI.  NOTICE THEIR COMFORT AND COUNSEL.. 
  A. I Have Loved You.. 9 
    1. And I will make the "false" Jews 
	- To come and worship before your feet.. 
	- To know that I have loved you 
	- The Jews would doubt that God could or would love anyone else! 
  B. I Will Keep You... 10 .. because you have kept my word.. 
    1. You will be kept "from" the hour of temptation (testing) (not through.. but "out from") 
	- Something that shall come upon all the world.. 
	- Something that will try the earthdwellers 
 ** A reference to the pre-tribulation rapture of true believers..
	- Jn.14:1-4; 1Cor.15:51-54; 1Thes.4:13-17 
	- Other ideas: "mid-tribulation"; "post-tribulation"; and "pre-wrath" rapture. 
  C. I Will Come "Quickly" 11.. suddenly.. the "imminent" return.. 
    1. Hold Fast... those who abandon the faith prove they were never really saved to begin with.
       (1Jn.2:19)
  D. I Will Reward The Overcomer.. 12 
    1. Make him a pillar in the temple of God.. eternal place of honor 
    2. Have the name of God on him.. ownership, intimate relationship 
    3. Have the name of the city of God.. security, safety, glory 
    4. Have the new name of the Lord.. the fullness of His person... 
ARE YOU A PART OF THIS "LOVED" CHURCH.. A TRUE BELIEVER IN JESUS CHRIST? 
  IF YOU ARE... REJOICE AND REMAIN FAITHFUL... 
  IF YOU ARE NOT.. REPENT AND RECEIVE JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND SAVIOR