Revelation Study Class 12

Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue
Revelation Study Class 12
The Sixth Epistle- Philadelphia ( 3:7-13)
In the last two Epistles, the Old Testament illustrations cover the period of the Kings and Kingdom of Judah, and after the removal of Israel. The one is from the days of Hezekiah and the other from the days of the Minor Prophets, before and after the return from Babylon when the hope of restoration was offered to the people. Philadelphia is one of the two assemblies commended for its faithfulness according to its ability. It has been loyal with the little it had. Let’s look at a little history on the name of this Epistle.
Around 150 B.C.E., King Attalus II Philadelphus was known for founding the city, and for his love for his brother Eumenes. So the city became known as Philadelphia (brotherly love).
The city weas built on a hill that was easy to defend, but the hill was right on top of the faultline of the earthquake that destroyed Sardis in 17C.E. and ruined Philadelphia. To make things worse, there were aftershocks that occurred for 20 years, inhibiting efforts to rebuild Philadelphia. However, vineyards grew well there so the area became a center of worship for the god Dionysias.
Although the ground on which Philadelphia was located was on very unstable, the assembly had some members who were true believers among others who were “pseudo” believers, Yahshua refers to further in this teaching. Now that you know the history of the name Philadelphia, let us look at some specifics related to Yahshua’s promises to the true believers and the disposition of those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing!
Those who will be on the earth in the days to which the Apocalypse refers requires the instruction provided by illustrations; for they will be the days when all hope of restoration from man has gone and the People can hope only on G-d. Is it not interesting how G-d provides so many opportunities for man to steer themselves away from unequivocal faith in rabbis, preachers, and other clergy; faith in amulets, the merits of their ancestors. Yet here we are in the 21st Century and there are many people who still resist or even reject honoring, praising, and giving all glory to the G-d of Israel, the One True G-d.
During the time described in the Apocalypse will certainly be a time of trial because, again, mankind has rejected G-d’s Torah; the consequences of such disobedience clearly explained throughout the Bible. The good news for those who repent and lovingly follow the Word of G-d is that the promise of being kept during it is made, and the hope pf being delivered out of it is given.
Those who have this promise fulfilled in them are described in Chapter 7,14,and 15 caught up to G-d and His throne. They go into but come “out of” the Great Tribulation. Afterwards, they are seen standing before the throne. They will serve G-d and follow the Lamb withersoever He goeth (Rev. 7:14-17; 14:1-5; 15:1-4).
The structure exhibits the above promises. The time of trial has sifted and separated the people and there are now those who have kept the words of this book of He remembrance, to whom these promises can be made.
3:7: Unto the Assembly in Philadelphia (brotherly love), write: These things saith He that is holy and he that is true…
Seven attributes of HaMashiach(Yahshua) are given. These seven are divided, as usual, into three and four:
Three relate to what He is and hath :
1. That He is holy
2. He that is true
3. He that hath the key of David
Four relate to what He does and does not do:
1. He that openeth
2. and none shut
3. That shutteth
4. … and none open it
He that is holy or the Holy One is a title of Deity (Hos. 11:9; Hab.3:3). It is given to HaMashiach (Ps. 16; Acts 3:14). The usual form of this title in the Old Testament is “ the Holy One of Israel”, but for now Israel( the 10 Northern Tribes) is removed and the illustration is from Judah (the Southern Kingdom; Levi, Bejamin, Judah).He that is true The word used in Greek is (alethinos)real versus (alethes)which means true which denotes what is real and genuine in contrast to all that is merely typical. Hence it is used of G-d whenever the reference or contrast is the subject of idols (either latent or otherwise)in the context. (See 1 Thess. 1:9 and compare to Jer.10:10; 2 Chron.15:3; 1 John 5;20; Rev. 19:11).
He that hath the key of David… We referred to this in the description of what G-d hath as specifically giving its character to this Epistle. It reminds the reader of that period of Judah’s history described in Isaiah 22. Jerusalem was about to be taken, but instead of repenting, they were feasting! The Treasurer of the State “who was over the house” (Shebna), carried the key in token of his office; and he presumptuously thought he was going to retain his office and his dignity, and finally be buried in the magnificent sepulcher he had prepared for himself in the rock. But this thought was alien to the great hope given to David, which was resurrection, “ even the sure mercies of (promised to) David.” Shebna entered not into David’s spirit, so he was removed and another (Eliakim) took his office. The use of “ the key of David” is explained in what follows as denoting access to, and complete control over the house and throne of David, and implies Regal dominion. Hence the word “house” used in the prophecy (Isa. 22:22) is omitted here, for it is the throne that is now in question (Luke 1:32), and this could only be occupied in resurrection (Jer.30:9; Ezek.34:23,24; Acts 13:34,36). It is the Kingdom that is referred to and not the church. Ergo, we read of the “keys of the kingdom,” but never of “ the keys of the church.” This was and is left for Romanists to falsely claim, and for Protestant interpreters to weakly admit. Matthew 16:19 is very clear on this matter. The key belongs to HaMashiach (Yahshua), as stated here. But the opening of the kingdom, in testimony, was committed to Peter (Kefa) and he used those keys in his ministry in Acts 1-12. “Against that kingdom the “gates of the grave” should not prevail.” If “gates” denotes the entrance to the grave, then it means that death “shall not prevail. And if “gated” by the use of metonymy[ substituting one word for another that is similar such as “sword” for military power] denotes power , then it means that the power of the grave will never keep or hold those who enter it. HaMashiach holds the key as stated in 1:18 and reinforced with the following statement “ … the One opening and no one will shut, and shutting and no one opens(1599 Geneva Bible).
8. I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an opened door… The meaning of this phrase is sufficiently explained by what follows. It can refer only to deliverance, as when the opened door was set before Kefa (Peter) (Acts.12:10, and compare Isa. 49:9-10). Their enemies shall acknowledge the L-rd’s protecting power. How misinformed are those who take these words and refer them as refereeing to an open door for service, as is applied universally. Even as used by Sha’ul (Paul) in 1 Corinthians 16:9 it implies deliverance from the “many adversaries”; and in 2 Corinthians 2:12 the reference is clearly to deliverance from HaSatan’s “devices” (5:11); in Colossians 4:3 the reference is to deliverance from his “bonds.” That is, whatever “ties” one to HaSatan; any type of sin.
… which no one can shut that thou has a little strength, and didst keep my word…This, the one important injunction throughout, is obeyed by those who are addressed. … and didst not deny my name … i.e., by receiving another “name”; even the name of the Beast. This also refers to another special injunction so peculiarly applicable to and characteristic of the coming days of the great Tribulation. (See Rev. 13:17; 14:9, 11,12). The description of those very days referred to in this Epistle are as follows:
9. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews, and are not, but do lie. The explanation of this sentence was addressed in Class 8 I refer you to that teaching. In this assembly, there are true believers mixed with those who say they are Jews but lie. Now we need to go to the Bible for the definition of a “true Jew.” This is found and discussed in Romans 2-3. I encourage everyone to read these chapters carefully. I submit learning the truth about the definition of a “true Jew” will result in the majority of those reading and realizing that a true believer, a true “Jew’ certainly includes Gentiles who have circumcised their hearts, etc.
Behold, I will make them [Gentiles] to come and bow down before thy feet, and know that I have loved thee…
I ask you, Is this what is prophesied of the Church? Is this our experience? Has it ever been the experience of the Church? The answer to these questions is a resounding No! To be hated because He (Yahshua) was hated: this is our portion now, from which there is no hope of reprieve offered. Take the time to read John chapter 15 in its entirety. We can clearly see that if we are living for G-d as we have been instructed in His Word, we are not going to be voted the “Homecoming King or Queen.” We will not be the first to be invited to “traditional” gatherings for Christmas and/or Easter; we will not be invited to “Beaufort’s Pork Bar-B-Que.”
The point is that if we are living for G-d, as the world becomes more deeply assimilated with pagan gods and Satan’s devices, the more true believers are going to be hated; labeled hate mongers, radical fundamentalists, brain washers, intolerant elitists, and yes, Christ killers. The last label coming from those who have been indoctrinated into antisemitic rhetoric and are biblically ignorant of Yahshua’s crucifixion and the surrounding history. Again I refer the listener or reader to Class 8 for more information on this subject.
The homage spoken of in 3:9 of Revelation belongs to Israel by right in a future day. To see this we only need read such passages as Isaiah 9:14; 45:14; 49:22,23; 9:66:1-4,5,14. We can hardly conceive it possible that in the face of such prophecies and promises addressed to Israel, that anyone could possibly believe that the fulfillment of these Epistles as belonging to the church. Just look at Isaiah 60:14 that reads “ The sons also of them that afflicted thee, shall come bending unto thee: And all that that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet.” The promise made to HaMashiach will be shared by His people Israel. See Psalm 72:9; 110:1; 1 Phil.2:10. Compare Exodus 11:8. “ That I have loved thee”- both the pronouns used in this phrase are very emphatic and refer to chapter 1:5.
10. Because thou didst keep the word of my patience… i.e., the patient waiting or endurance which I did command See. 1:9;2:2; 19. These commands as to “patience” specifically refer to the waiting during and under the tribulation. If asked where this is exactly, the answer is clear from chapters 13:10 and 14:12. “Here is the patience of the saints.” It is the patience of those who shall be in these scenes of judgment and looking for deliverance out of them. For thus is the promise:
I also shall keep thee out of the hour of trial, which is about to come upon the whole [habitable] world to try them that dwell on the earth. Revelation commonly identifies earth-dwellers as those whose loyalties focus on the present world and who resist G-d’s rule. These are the scenes foretold in Zeph. 1:14-18, and by our L-rd in Luke 21:36. This refers to a brief, definite season (12-19); probably “the three years and a half” closing with the manifestation of the Adonai Yahshua in the clouds. This is not a reference to the Rapture. These earth dwellers are repeatedly mentioned in this book (See 6:10; 11:10; 13:8,14). For the “keeping out of the hour,” etc. (See Ps. 32:6; Isa. 26:20,21; John 17:15; Ps.27:1-5). Perhaps this deliverance will be a “wilderness” experience in Petra (Rev. 12:6,14;Isa. 33:16).
I come quickly: Hold fast that which thou hast, that none take thy crown… This does not in any way reference the church. They have no crowns to be taken.
12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of My G-d… Here the promise goes on to the days of Solomon, to the “temple” and the “city”, as the next Epistle to Laodicea is associated with the throne. (See 3:21 and compare 1 Kings 5:5; 7;13-22; 2 Chron 3:15-17).
And he shall in no wise go forth anymore: and I will write upon him the name of my G-d, and the mane of the city of my G-d… The promise to the temple and the city are fulfilled ion chapter 21:2,3. Compare Ps. 47:1,2,8,9 and Ezek.47:35. The New Jerusalem (21:2,10), which descendeth out of heaven from my G-d (21:10) and [ I will write upon him] my new name (Isa. 62:2;65:15).Inscriptions on the person are mentioned in chapter 7:3. The worshippers of the Beast will be marked with the Beast’s name,(13:16;14:11;19:20;20:24). This promise is specifically fulfilled in chapters 14:1 and 22;4.
13. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Assemblies
Next week we will discuss the Seventh and Last Epistle- Laodicea (3:14-22).
Shalom v’brachas,
Rabbi Tamah Davis-Hart