The Promise - Revelation 3:9-13

The Promise-Revelation 3:9-13

THE PROMISE

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 (3:9).

Synagogue of Satan – The Christians in Philadelphia faced hostility from the unbelieving Jews, who were a synagogue of Satan. Racially, culturally, and ceremonially they were Jews, but spiritually they were not (Romans 2:28-29).

Worship before your feet – Bowing at someone’s feet depicts total defeat and submission. The Philadelphia church’s enemies would be vanquished, humbled, and defeated (Isaiah 45:14, 49:23, 60:14). The Christians faithfulness would be rewarded by the salvation of some of the very Jews who were persecuting it.

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 (3:10).

My command to persevere – Because the believers in Philadelphia had successfully passed so many tests, Jesus promised to spare them from the ultimate test. This verse promises that the church will be delivered from the tribulation. The rapture is the subject of 3 passages in the New Testament (John 14:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17). The churchwill be raptured before the Tribulation begins.

From the hour of trial to test those who dwell on the earth – This test is future, and for a definite, limited time. It is a test that will expose people for what they really are, and it is worldwide in scope. “Those who dwell on the earth” is a technical term in the book of Revelation for unbelievers (Revelation 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 12, 14; 14:6; 17:2, 8). The hour of trial is Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:25-27), the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7), and the seven year tribulation period.

Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown (3:11).

I am coming quickly – The coming spoke of here is to bring the hour of testing that ushers in our Lord’s second coming. It is Christ coming to deliver His church (2 Thessalonians 2:1).Christ’s coming for His church could happen at any time. This third reference in the 7 epistles to the return of Christ means that there will be Philadelphia-like churches in the world when He does return.  Nothing ignites the fire of evangelism in the heart of a congregation like dynamic preaching on the promised return of Jesus.

Hold fast what you have – Those who persevere to the end prove the genuineness of their salvation (Matthew 10:22; 24:13). The means by which God secures believers is by providing them with a persevering faith. Christians are saved by God’s power, but not apart from their constant, undying faith (1 John 2:19).

Your crown – The crown, or reward for those who faithfully endure to the end is eternal life (2 John 8). It is described as a crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8) and as one of glory (1 peter 5:4). In our glorified state we will be perfectly righteous and perfectly able to reflect God’s glory. Your faithful perseverance marks you as a true child of God and you need never fear of losing your salvation.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on himMy new name (3:12).

He who overcomes – We overcome by being faithful and obedient, and receiving our eternal rewards. Failure to overcome means there has been a loss of rewards.

Pillar in the temple of My God – A pillar represents stability, permanence, and immovability. The promise that Christ makes to believers is that they will have an eternal place of honor in Heaven. “He shall go out no more” speaks of security in eternal glory.

The name of My God – This name depicts ownership, signifying that all true Christians belong to God, and speaks of the intimate, personal relationship we have with Him forever.

The name of the city of My God – Christians have eternal citizenship in heaven’s capital city, the New Jerusalem, described at length in revelation 21. This is another promise of security, safety, and glory.

My new name – Christ’s name represents the fullness of His person in heaven, believers will “see Him just as He is” (1 John 3:2). The new name will reflect the glorious revelation of His person.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” ’ (Revelation 3:13).

What the spirit says to the churches – Believers are to heed the truth of what the Holy Spirit is saying in these last days of this age on planet earth. The holy, true, sovereign, omnipotent God pours out His blessings on churches that remain loyal to Him.

Those who are just hearers of the Word of God are not justified before God, but those who have received the Lord Jesus and accordingly are prepared to meet Him at His coming are justified before God – Tim LaHaye