Persevering Philadelphia: Kept to Persevere in Faithful Witness

Reformed Baptist Church of Kansas City

Rev 3:7-13– Kept to Persevere in WitnessThough they were of "little strength," Christ with the Keys of the Kingdom opened and shut doors and strengthened them to persevere in their witness, as the true Israel of God. And He promised to make them a pillar in His temple. They who do not deny His name will have His name written upon them in His eternal presence.The letter to the church of Philadelphia: The Persevering Church-G.K. Beale summarizes Christ's letter to His lampstand in Philadelphia: "Christ commends the church in Philadelphia for its persevering witness, in which He will empower its members further, and encourages them to persevere so as to inherit end-time fellowship and identification with Him."-I. City (v7a)---A. Earthquake---B. Identity-II. Christ (v7b)---A. Is Holy and True---B. Has the Key of David-III. Commendation (v8-10)---A. Faithful Witness---B. Faithful Perseverance-IV. Condemnation ()-V. Exhortation (v11)---Hold Fast, by Christ, for the Crown-VI. Promise (vv12-13)---A. Pillar in Temple---B. Three-fold Promise of New Name