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Revelation 3:7–13
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Introduction
● Illustration: What did my son ask me for last Christmas ? A more powerful charger.
We always want something more powerful: a computer, a car… even a church. I know people attend at large churches like MLK or Nouvelle Vie.
● The book of Revelation has nothing to do with the scary popular image people often have.
● First of all, it is a letter of encouragement for all Christians, everywhere and at all times.
● It is written by John, one of Jesus’ apostles, to seven churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).
o At that time, Christians were persecuted, sometimes even killed for their faith (2:13; 6:9; 17:6; 18:24; 19:2).
o Christians were different and therefore rejected.
o They were tempted to compromise to avoid suffering or death.
o They were tempted to live like everyone else just to stay out of trouble.
● Revelation is a message of encouragement for all churches.
● It warns us about dangers.
● It calls people to repentance, urges believers to persevere through trials, and proclaims the certainty of final victory for those who remain faithful.
● In chapters 2 and 3, there are seven short letters, one to each church.
● In each letter, Jesus:
o introduces himself,
o gives an assessment,
o highlights strengths and weaknesses,
o calls for change,
o warns of consequences,
o and makes promises.
So why did I choose the letter to Philadelphia this morning?
While talking with Martin, I realized that your church has many similarities with the church in Philadelphia. You are not very numerous. It is not negative…you’ll see.
The Bible says the church in Philadelphia had “little strength.”
Why? Possibly because it was an unstable city. There were repeated earthquakes over at least three years. The city was destroyed and rebuilt. Many people left. Those who remained lived in constant fear and would flee the city at the slightest warning.
But Jesus has something to say to Philadelphia.
And through this letter, we can take Christ’s words personally.
What would Jesus say to the church in Mirepoix this morning?
I see three things.
1. You have little strength, but Jesus has all power
Explanation – Verse 7
Jesus presents himself as:
a. The Holy One
The one worthy of worship and deepest reverence. Only God is holy. In the Old Testament, this title belongs to Yahweh (Isaiah 40:25). So Jesus presents himself as God.
b. The True One
The true God, in contrast to idols.
c. The one who holds the key of David
In the ancient Near East, the one who held the keys of a city had the highest authority.
Jesus echoes Isaiah: when he opens, no one can shut; when he shuts, no one can open. He has absolute authority.
Meaning
● What matters most is not our potential.
● What matters is the one we believe in.
● We may be weak and fragile.
● But Jesus is all-powerful.
● He is sovereign over history.
● Our lives are in his hands.
● The future of the world is in his hands.
● As he reminds his doubting disciples in Matthew 28: all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him.
● This is not political power.
● He is the risen one who conquered death.
● He has the power to save all who believe in him from God’s judgment.
● He has the power to rescue believers from all the forces of evil: the devil, death, unbelief, fear, and sin.
Applications
● Jesus invites us not to focus on our weaknesses: illness, depression, burnout.
● He invites us to look to him.
● He invites us not to be overwhelmed by the suffering of this world: wars, conflicts, economic and political instability.
● He invites us to look to him—the one who defeated death.
● What do we believe in?
● Something temporary? Weak? Fragile?
● No—build your life on something eternal, solid, and lasting.
Illustration
● When we have little strength, we cannot rely on ourselves.
● We rely on the one who is above all.
● As 1 John 4:4 says: the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
I read the story of a rich man who wanted to climb Mount Everest.
He chose the best guide for the job.
And he set off on his journey.
At one point along the way, he came to a very narrow path. He looked to the right and to the left, and he saw the void. His legs were trembling. He was afraid. He thought to himself: if I die now, goodbye to my fortune.
And just when he was at his lowest point, the guide pulled on the rope between them. And he said: don't look to the right or to the left, don't look at your weaknesses. But look at me. Where I place my feet, place yours.
What would Jesus say to the church in Mirepoix this morning?
2. You have little strength, but you are faithful
Explanation
The church in Philadelphia is the only church Jesus does not openly rebuke.
It has little strength: small in number, limited resources, little influence, no spectacular signs.
Yet the text says:
● Verse 8: You have kept my word—there is no heresy; the church lives in obedience and remains faithful.
● Verse 8: You have not denied my name—this implies pressure.
● Pressure possibly coming from those mentioned in verse 9, the “synagogue of Satan”: people who claim to belong to God’s people but do not truly belong.
Jesus uses very strong language:
1. He calls them the “synagogue of Satan,” meaning they do the work of the devil (dévol): lies, division, accusations.
2. They are under deep spiritual blindness.
3. Jesus delivers a severe verdict: they will bow down and acknowledge that the Lord loves this church.
This may mean:
● Either they will repent and come to faith in Christ,
● Or they will acknowledge their error at judgment.
Meaning
● Power is not what matters to the Lord.
● Faithfulness and obedience are what please him.
● What counts is holding on and remaining faithful despite circumstances.
Applications
● Obedience to God’s Word is often the hardest thing.
● Loving, forgiving, listening, being patient, staying humble—this is difficult.
● We often hide behind our works to appear strong.
● But the Lord looks at the heart.
● When we are weak, we may be more exposed to spiritual attacks: temptation, division, discouragement, misplaced desire
● Let us pray not to play the devil’s game: pride, accusation, division
● Let us arm ourselves with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
What would Jesus say to the church in Mirepoix this morning?
Little strength, JESUS ALL powerful, Faithfulness…
3. You have little strength, but you can still be a source of countless blessings
Explanation
This weak church receives extraordinary promises:
1. Verse 8: An open door that no one can shut
o Access to God’s kingdom?
o Or opportunity for mission? Paul often uses “open door” for evangelism (1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12; Col 4:3).
2. Verse 10: Protection in the time of trial
o Not absence of suffering, but protection from judgment.
3. Verse 11: The crown of victory—already won, but to be kept.
4. Verse 12: Three names written on the victor:
o God’s name: belonging to God
o The name of the New Jerusalem: belonging to the new city
o Christ’s new name: belonging to the Lord
And if you remember just one blessing, remember verse 9: even enemies will recognize that Jesus loves you.
Application
● Holding firm leads to blessing.
● Church of Mirepoix, thank you.
● You may have little strength, but you are a blessing to others.
● If we hold firm, we can bless our families, our children, our city, our neighborhood.
Illustration
● The Bible is full of people who seemed ordinary but changed history: Gideon, David, Rahab, Mary, Ananias… and Jesus.
● You. Mirepoix.
Conclusion
Jesus says in verse 11: “Hold on to what you have.”
● You are not many.
● Take care of what you have.
● Stay united.
● Be vigilant.
God does not seek a powerful church, but a faithful one.
Perseverance in weakness is strength in God’s eyes.
Where the world sees a small church, God sees a great open door.
We are weak—but our God is strong.
As 2 Corinthians 13:4 says:
“He was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God’s power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God’s power we will live with him.”
So:
● Don’t focus on your smallness—look to the greatness of the one who holds the key.
● Don’t look at yesterday’s closed doors—look at today’s open door.
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