Habakkuk 1:5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. -LORD God
These are the last of words of Jesus before He comes for His bride the Church. Revelation The Last Letter looks at the seven churches in their historical and geographical context in the first century. These were actual churches in actual ancient cities in what is modern day Turkey. What did Jesus actually say to the churches? Please, listen to the good news from Jesus Himself…
This is a great resource for small group Bible studies. Study questions are provided at the end of each chapter.
Revelation 3:12c…and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven…
The name of the city is The New Jerusalem.
It is “the” New Jerusalem. There is a Greek definite article in front of “New Jerusalem”. The text literally reads… “the New Jerusalem” in the original Greek. The koine Greek of the New Testament has no indefinite article like we do in English. There are no “a” or “an” in the language. A definite article is a point of emphasis.
At least three times in the book of Revelation, the text refers to the city of New Jerusalem as descending from Heaven. The first is noted in the verse above. Two other references are indicated in Revelation 21, the definitive chapter on the description of New Jerusalem. See Revelation 22 for additional information regarding New Jerusalem. Jesus says the city is a gift from God. The city is a pure, beautiful, stunning bride. This is our eternal home.
Revelation 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Revelation 21:10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God…
Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
The heavenly Jerusalem is called “free” or ἐλεύθερος/eleutheros in Greek. The comparison is to a slave in Galatians 4:25. Strong’s Concordance defines the term as unshackled or unbound. New Jerusalem is liberated and delivered from obligation.
Revelation 3:12d…and my own new name.
Jesus has a name change coming. Christ will have a different name, and it is personal.
Revelation 19:12 His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself.
And that name will be written on the believer as well.
Please listen. Seven times in Revelation, Christ appeals to the churches to listen. This is the sixth time Jesus calls on all the churches to listen. He will appeal once more to the churches collectively to listen. One way or another, we are all running out of time.
Revelation 3:13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Revelation 3:12b …And I will write on him the name of my God…
Jesus will write on the believer the name of His God. His name is Yahweh.
The topic of God’s name has been addressed previously to the church at Sardis. God takes the time to repeat the concept of His name to the church at Philadelphia. It bears repeating.
YHWH (scholars refer to this as the Tetragrammaton, Greek for four letters) is the proper name of the Hebrew God of the Bible. The correct spelling is YHWH. Note there are no vowels in this term. Vowels from the name Adonai were substituted and the term Yahweh emerged. Jehovah is a word that has been translated to English from the Hebrew, Yahweh. The name for LORD is Jehovah. It means the existing one. This name is so sacred, Jews refuse to pronounce it. The name is first introduced in Exodus 3:14 when Moses and God are having a discussion. His name is a statement of existence.
Exodus 3:14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
If one is looking for proof that God created or God exists, you are wasting your time. It is assumed. God is eternal and self-existent. God always has been and always will be. God was before the creation.
Not only does Jesus write the name of Yahweh on the believer, the believer is sealed with the Spirit of God. There are at least 12 verses in the Bible confirming the work of the Spirit in His people.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
Ephesians 1:13-14 In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.
All three persons of the triune God are involved: Father, Son, and Spirit. To borrow a line from Stevie Wonder…
Signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours.
This name is a promise for all eternity. We see this at the end of Revelation in New Jerusalem. These are the closing comments of the Bible.
Revelation 22:4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
Attention, Jesus speaking, “I am coming soon.” The idea in the Greek is He is coming quickly and with speed.
Hold fast what you have. The focus of the phrase is the verb κρατέω/krateó or “hold fast”. Per Strong’s it means to be strong or mighty; to rule, obtain, master, or prevail.
The reward is the crown. Grab and hold onto it with all the gusto you have. It is yours. Christ has given it to you. Own the crown.
Caution, don’t get too attached. It is not about you.
Revelation 4:10-11 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
Revelation 3:12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it…
The one who conquers…As a reminder, there is only one way to conquer. This is the Greek word νικάω/nikaó. We know the word through sports apparel in the 21st century, Nike. Jesus Christ is the answer. We are victorious and prevail through Him.
1 John 5:4-5 For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Christ “will make”. In the Greek, this is ποιέω/poieó. This is the word of a carpenter. The carpenter is manufacturing and constructing. Christ is building the Temple. Jesus promises the believer to be a pillar of God’s Temple. The believer is a support and upholds the Temple.
The temple is the ναός/naos in the Greek. This is the Holy of Holies, the sacred edifice or sanctuary itself. Naos is the home of God.
Revelation 11:19a And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple…
Never shall he go out of it… As a believer in Christ, our position is eternal.
Revelation 3:10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Perseverance…This is the word for “patient endurance”. Perseverance is the Greek word ηυπομονε/hupomone. Per Strong’s Concordance, it means: constancy, endurance; in the New Testament the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith by even the greatest trials and sufferings; patiently and steadfastly enduring.
Patiently waiting is not something we want to hear in the culture of here and now. “Give it to me now! I deserve it!”
But…believers are called to be steadfastly loyal to Christ regardless of what is happening in our lives. It is a commandment from Jesus. The church at Philadelphia obeyed.
Perseverance has its reward. Jesus promises believers will be delivered from the hour of trial.
The Greek word for “hour” is ὥρα/hora. Defined by Strong’s Concordance it means: a definite space of time, a season, an hour, the particular time for anything.
A “trial” is πειρασμός/peirasmos in the original language. The word can also be translated as: trial, probation, testing, being tried, temptation, calamity, or affliction.
Christ makes it very clear who is on trial…the whole world, those who dwell on the earth. The concept is stated two times to make the point. The scope of the trial is the totality of the world.
The “world” or οἰκουμένη/oikoumené properly is the land that is being inhabited, the land in a state of habitation, the inhabited world. Put another way, humanity living on the globe of the earth.
If the previous definition is not specific enough, those who dwell on the earthor the γῆ, ge. This is the the physical earth, soil, or land.
Look at the world we are living in today. Inhabitants of the planet earth pay attention. There will be a definite, specific time for trial and judgment. It is coming regardless what any of us think or believe.
During His Olivet Discourse, Jesus said in Luke 21:28 “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
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Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
This is the fourth and last mention of Satan to the churches in Revelation. The church at Smyrna also had their synagogue of Satan.
…the synagogue of Satan…The Greek word for “synagogue” is not the same Greek word used for “church”.
The word for “synagogue” is the transliterated word συναγογε/sunagoge. Two points about this word. One, it is a physical structure or building. Two, it is an assembly of men.
The Greek word for “church” is εκκλεσια/ekklesia. It means: a called out group of Christians; the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth. The church is not a building.
Satan’s synagogue is different than Jesus Christ’s church. They can make the claim, but they are not the real deal.
Jesus states two times in the verse. “Behold,I will make…” In the future, Christ is going to take action on these liars. Those of the synagogue of Satan will be forced by Jesus to “come and bow down before your feet”. Satan’s group will be physically present before the church. They will “bow down” or προσκυνέω/proskuneó in the Greek. They will be on their knees in a prostrate position of absolute submission. They will kiss the ground the church treads.
Christ has a reason for bringing Satan’s followers to a point of church worship. It is an educational opportunity. They must γινώσκω/ginóskó. It is time to know, learn, realize, and ascertain.
I have loved you…This is word ἀγαπάω/agapaó. This is God’s unconditional love towards those who chose His Son. God takes pleasure in those who chose Him of their own free will. This love is the nature of God.
(Definitions in study provided by Strong’s Concordance.)
To the synagogue of Satan, you made the wrong choice and followed the wrong person. You will worship those you mocked, abused, and chided.
Jesus Christ loves His bride the church.
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Revelation 3:8 I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
For those who need a reminder, Jesus “knows”. In this case, the word is οἶδα/oida. Defined by Strong’s, it means to remember or appreciate. Literally, it is to see with our physical eyes. Jesus is literally watching us with His eyes. And by watching, He mentally gets where we are spiritually by our works.
Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. Christ is reminding believers He is ultimately in control. This is a continuation of the concept from Revelation 3:7. This concept has its origins in the Old Testament. Isaiah 22:22 is an example. Jesus is authority. He holds the keys.
I know that you have but little power…The word for “know” in this case is ἔχω/echo in the Greek. It means: to hold or possess.
The church in Philadelphia possessed little power. Little or μικρός/micros is the idea. This is where we get the prefix of a microscope in English.
The Greek word for “power” is δύναμις/dunamis. The word defined: might, force, energy, physical power, or marvelous works. We get the English word “dynamite” from this Greek word.
Christ described His miracles as δύναμις/dunamis.
Matthew 11:20-21 Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent.“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles had occurred in Tyre and Sidon which occurred in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes…” -Jesus
Believers in Philadelphia had a little dynamite. We need reminding today. We can pack a punch in Christ’s name.
…you have kept my word…The church at Philadelphia watched and guarded His λόγος/logos or word. The Word is synonymous with His name. Jesus Christ is the Word of God.
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Believers in Jesus are charged to guard and protect His Word, the Bible.
…have not denied my name. The Greek word for “name” is ὄνομα/onoma. Per Strong’s, it can be translated as: name, character, fame, or reputation. The “name” is used for everything which the “name” covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the “name”.
The character and essence of Christ are at stake. He is watching and paying attention to the individual believer. Will you defend and stand up for the character of Jesus?
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Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
Pηιλαδελπηεια/philadelphos: “Brotherly love” in the original Greek (Strong’s Concordance).
Philadelphia is a city of Lydia in Asia Minor. It is located near the eastern base of Mount Tmolus approximately 25 miles southeast of Sardis. Historically, the city has been hit by multiple significant earthquakes. This is the modern day city of Allah-Shehr, Turkey. To the Muslim, this means “city of God”.
Jesus Christ is going to define a couple aspects of His character.
Holy or ἅγιος/hagios: It means set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. Jesus Christ is different.
True or ἀληθινός/aléthinos: It literally means made of truth. Substantially true, real, or genuine. Jesus Christ is the real deal. He is the essence and integrity of truth.
Definitions provided by Strong’s Concordance.
…the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
The remainder of the verse is a reference to Isaiah 22:22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
In ancient times, officials in charge would literally carry keys tied to a kerchief on their shoulder. Who knows, we may see Jesus with keys tied to his shoulder at some point in the future.
Figuratively, Jesus is the sole authority in charge of the kingdom of Israel. The kingdom lineage goes through the line of David. Responsibility and burden of leadership goes through Him. Christ has the ultimate say and He is control. His decisions are final and He is ultimately responsible.
The same concept is communicated by Jesus to His disciples within the context of the church. Believers or church members will be fellow heirs in the kingdom.
Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Oh, it is coming…
Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
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Revelation 1:11 saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” –Jesus
The Greek word for “book” is Βιβλιον/biblion. It means: a small book, a scroll, a written document. This is the word where we get the term Bible.
The word “book” is singular in the sentence. It would appear John sent one “book” or epistle to the seven churches. The book was sent from the island of Patmos. The order of the seven churches listed is geographical and clockwise in nature. The first stop on the mainland of Turkey was Ephesus. Next, the letter would have gone north to Smyrna. The third stop was north in Pergamum. Following Pergamum to the east and a bit south was Thyatira. The fifth stop to the south would have been Sardis. A jog to the east and the letter stopped in Philadelphia. The last stop to the south and east was Laodicea.
All seven churches are located in what is modern day Turkey.
Four of the seven churches in Revelation have references to Satan. Jesus is the one talking directly to the churches. Jesus got His information from God the Father (Revelation 1). This is not conjecture. The churches are: Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Philadelphia.
Acts 16:6 They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia… The Holy Spirit made sure Paul and his companions stayed in modern day Turkey instead of advancing east to China. The regions of Phrygia and Galatia are in the heart of Asia Minor.
Satan has his trinity. He plays the role of God. The antichrist plays the role of Jesus. And the false prophet plays the role of the Holy Spirit. Satan clearly has a foot hold in Turkey per the comments of Jesus to the churches in Revelation. Satan has a religious system and structures in place in this geographical area. If Satan’s home land is modern day Turkey, would it make sense for him to establish his kingdom with his minions here?
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In ancient times, officials in charge would literally carry keys tied to a kerchief on their shoulder. Who knows, we may see Jesus with keys tied to his shoulder at some point in the future.
