Revelation 3:7-13; Season 15, Episode 8 (30min)

"Philadelphia and the Name"

The Outline:

Prologue (1:1-8)

I. “THE THINGS WHICH YOU HAVE SEEN”
– The Son of Man and The Lampstands
(1:9-20)

II. “THE THINGS WHICH ARE”
– The Letters to The Seven Churches
(2:1-3:22)

III. “THE THINGS WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE”
– The Judgments and The Characters
(4:1-22:5)

Epilogue (22:6-21)

***

II. “THE THINGS WHICH ARE”
– The Letters to The Seven Churches
(2:1-3:22)

A. Ephesus (2:1-7)

B. Smyrna (2:8-11)

C. Pergamum (2:12-17)

D. Thyatira (2:18-29)

E. Sardis (3:1-6)

F. Philadelphia (3:7-13)

G. Laodicea (3:14-22)

***

F. Philadelphia (3:7-13)

Commission[i]
Character
Commendation
Confrontation - None
Correction Encouragement
Challenge - First
Call - Reverse order

[i] This alliteration of characteristics from Daniel/Revelation Class Notes; Dr. Kenneth F. McKinley, LeTourneau College, 1973.

***

APPENDIX: “In His Name”^[i]

1Corinthians 1:10-15

INTRODUCTION

Note: Full Name, “Lord Jesus Christ”

The significance of the “Name” of the Lord or activities associated with His “Name” is not to be found in its mere letters or syllables in a particular language. “His Name” does not have authority or influence because of some superstition attached to its pronunciation. It has its meaning and significance because it represents Him, His identity, His person and His work. In short, you could say it is His “reputation.” Try quoting any of the verses referenced below by substituting the word “reputation” as a synonym for “name.” For instance, the familiar 23rd Psalm becomes clearer: “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His reputation’s sake.”

THE OLD TESTAMENT

There are approximately 350 references to the “name of the Lord” in the Old Testament in regard to one aspect or another.

HISTORICAL

In Genesis it is used six times in the context of “calling on the Name …”:

Men in general(4:26): During the time of human history connected with the birth of Seth’s son Enosh, it is said they “. . . began to call upon the name of the LORD.”
Abram at Bethel(12:8): As Abram set out in obedience to the promise and the call of God, “…he built an altar to the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.”
Abram again at Bethel(13:4): And after spending some time in Egypt because of a famine, he returned to that same altar and “called upon the name of the LORD” a second time.
Hagar(16:13): Upon being reassured personally by the Angel of the LORD concerning her son, Sarai’s maid “called on the name of the LORD.”
Abraham at Beersheba(21:33): After securing clear exclusive rights to the well of water in Paran, Abraham “planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.”
Isaac at Beersheba(26:25): Isaac, many years later, having had disputes over several wells in the same area, finally dug one he named Rehoboth. At that time the LORD appeared to him to re-confirm His promise, and “So he built an altar there, and called upon the name of the LORD.”

In Exodus:

“I Am …My name forever”(3:14-15)
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.”(20:7)

In other references God associates His Name:

With a Place(Deuteronomy 12:11; 26:2)
With the Nation of Israel(Deuteronomy 28:10)
With the Temple(1Kings 8:29 with 9:3)
With the city of Jerusalem(2Chronicles 6:6 with 12:13)
With the tribe of Judah(Psalm 78:67-69)

SIGNIFICANCE

It is “Everlasting”(Psalm 135:13)
It is the standard for the authority of His “Word”(Psalm 138:2)
“His name alone is exalted.”(Psalm 148:13)
It is “a strong tower”(Proverbs 18:10)
“I am the Lord, that is my name; and I will not give My Glory to another.”(Isaiah 42:8)

THE NEW TESTAMENT

HISTORICAL

John the Baptist associated the name “Jehovah” with the person of Jesus Christ.(Matthew 3:3 with Isaiah 40:3)
Jesus used the name of “I Am” for His own identity.(John 8:58 with Exodus 3:13,14)
His present full name is “the Lord Jesus Christ”(1Corinthians 1:10)
His future title is “King of kings and Lord of lords”(Revelation 19:16)

PROMISES RELATED TO HIS NAME

Believing:LIFE (John 20:31)
Asking:ANSWERED PRAYER (John 14:13,14)
Teaching & Baptizing:PERMANENT PRESENCE (Matthew 28:18-20)
Ministering:BEING UN-FORGOTTEN (Hebrews 6:10)
Being Reproached:BLESSED (1Peter 4:14)
Gathering:PERSONAL PRESENCE (Matthew 18:20)
Gathering:POWER (1Corinthians 5:4)

Notice: There are two promises associated with gathering “in His Name.” One concerns Christ’s own presence in the gathering, regardless of how small it may be. And the other gives Paul the authority to call for the discipline of a member when they are assembled.

CONDUCT

Living Morally(2Timothy 2:19): Even though it is humanly impossible to know for certain about another’s salvation, yet being identified as one who “names the name of the Lord” is enough to challenge a lifestyle change that refrains from immorality.
Giving Thanks(Ephesians 5:20): Our thanksgiving to God the Father is under the auspices of “…in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Suffering(Acts 5:41): Peter and the other apostles were actually rejoicing because “they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”
Glorified in us(2Thessalonians 1:12): Paul’s prayer for the dear believers at this church included “…that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you.”

EXCELLENCE

“His name ALONE” (Acts 4:12)

- Not sharing competition from other names (Isaiah 42:8 and 1Corinthians 1:10-15): Why risk a division of “glory” by adding a second name of identification, such as ‘this’ or ‘that type’ of Christian?

- Other possible names taken by believers:

Other People: prominent church leaders or founders. There is little question that renowned men and women of courage and faith should be recognized, but why make their names an association to distinguish one group of believers from another.

A Doctrine: whether in error or correct is not at issue here. But the fact that even a right doctrine is selected as a point of identity of a particular group, as if no other holds that same truth, gives way to spiritual pride, division and confusion.

An Order or Method: that is a certain way of doing things. It may be unique and real, but it should not be elevated to the status of forming our identity or label to separate us from other gatherings of believers.

A Government or Organizational Structure: as above, may accurately describe the way a group of churches have chosen to associate themselves. It may designate a hierarchy of “bishops” or a committee of “overseers” or a loose confederation, but it should not be the distinguishing mark of a group of churches.

Right Names but with Wrong Attitude: Even those who identified themselves as “of Christ” in the context of exclusive pride were included in Paul’s rebuke! So even the name “Christian” should not be taken as if all the rest were not. Consider: “Churches of Christ” is used only ONE time in the NT (Rom 16:16); “Church(es) of God” is used ELEVEN times (Acts 20:28; 1Cor 1:2; 10:32; 11:16, 22; 15:9; 2Cor 1:1; Gal 1:13; 1Thess 2:14; 2Thess 1:4; 1Tim 3:5); “The church of the living God” is used ONCE (1Tim 3:15)

Only the Idea Of “His Name Alone”: Some non-denominational churches use this; taking no other label as if the absence of such makes them superior.

- ‘David’s Denomination’ (Psalm 119:63): There is a simplicity and a freedom that comes from sincerely and humbly identifying yourself as “a companion of all those who fear Thee.”

“Do ALL in His name” (Colossians 3:17): Everything we do and are should be in identification with His name (His reputation) and that certainly includes our association with His church.
“Which is ABOVE every name” (Philippians 2:9-11): There is no other name equal to His. He has the title of Lord, and that definitely includes His Lordship over His own Body.

Note: The name “Christian” was started by outsiders (Acts 11:26; 26:28) and Peter used it in the context of persecution (1Peter 4:16);
Label of “the Way” was used six times (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22);
One time is reference made to “the sect of the Nazarenes” by the prosecution lawyer Tertullus before Felix (Acts 24:5)

[i] Excerpt from the book From the Fold to the Flock by Glendall Toney, July 2012; Xulon Press.