The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Pamphlet 1840 Rev. kc 8

 I will write upon him my new name!

Just as a reminder, and for those who have recently joined our study, we saw a Picture in chapter 1 of Revelation, where Jesus Christ, in His glorified body, was standing in the midst of seven candlesticks (churches), with seven stars (representing angels) in His right hand, and a sharp twoedged sword (the Word of God) proceeded out of His mouth.

Christ then turned to each church and began addressing them, noting their doctrines and giving to them His instructions. 

And so we have come to the Church in Philadelphia, to test its character and that which is taught there, and to see what Jesus Christ has to say.

We are once again reminded that there are only two end time churches, this church in Philadelphia, along with Smyrna, that Christ finds no fault with. 

"Philadelphia was included in the message with Smyrna as deserving approbation and encouragement; and these two only out of the seven cities have continued to our day, and now possess a material prosperity somewhat equal to their importance." "Smith's Bible Dictionary", A. J. Holman Company, Philadelphia, pg. 277.

Rev. 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

Now notice the remarkable characteristics He presents before the church of Philadelphia; holiness, truth, and the key of David.

What is the key of David? Well first, what is a key? It is that which allows one to open up and gain entrance, in this case to the Word of God. It is also that which allows one to shut out an intruder. It is He, who came of David, out of the root of Jesse, that possesses the key and has allowed the church of Philadelphia to have it.

But first, allow me to digress. Even though this original church of Philadelphia was in Asia Minor and was but a type, as an American I can't read "Philadelphia" without thinking about the "City of Brotherly Love", our own beloved city in Pennsylvania (Philadelphia means "brotherly love"). For it is there that Independence Hall resides and the Liberty Bell rests, the symbols of Freedom and Liberty and Justice for All. And when you are given the "key to the city", you have free, unhindered access to the entire town.

Much the same, as an analogy, applies to the Key of David. With it you have free, unhindered (by the traditions of men) access to the entire Word of God. It will unlock each and every book while at the same time locking out false doctrines.

Those who have been "Bound" by the traditions of men, lied to by the sweet talking Jezebels, can be "Set Free" with the Key of David, and can never be bound again. Why? Because it unlocks truth and the truth leads to freedom from bondage.

Did not Christ tell us?

John 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Rev. 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Verse 8 says that the church of Philadelphia has a "little strength". Yes, and even a "little strength" from our Father far exceeds everyone else's strength combined.

We see that the folks in the "church of brotherly love" have also kept His Word. Of course that doesn't mean they have kept it on the coffee table. It means they know it, and understand it, and do it. You must first have studied His word in order to keep it, else you never had it to keep! It's the contents! - not the book! In the very same chapter of John where Christ addresses the bad figs, He also says: John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Want to be a disciple of Christ? Get the key and start
unlocking His Word and abide in it! (The Greek word for "continue" in verse 8 is meno and means to "abide" or "dwell".)

Moving right along now, let's stick the key of David into the next verse and open it up.

Click... Rev. 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

Wow! This is the same thing that the church of Smyrna taught.

Let's go back to chapter 2 and read Rev. 2:9 again.

Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I  know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

(Pausing and Pondering, you say to yourself. "Let's see here. There are only two end time churches  that Jesus Christ finds no fault with and they both teach this same doctrine about those who claim to be of Judah and are not, but are a bunch of crooked, deceitful liars. Hmmm, Momma didn't raise no fool, you know."

Note: Rather than take the space here to re-document who these imposters of Judah are, go back and read again the commentary on the church of Smyrna in panphlet #1835. Not much has changed in thsee last days. The creeps are still around.

Christ also says that he will make the kenites to come and worship before our feet. Of course this doesn't mean they are going to worship us, but when Christ returns EVERY KNEE will bow to Him. God's elect will be with Him, at His feet, before whom they will either worship or eventually perish in the lake of fire.

Finally in verse 9 our Lord and Savior lets His servants in the church of Philadelphia know that He loves them for what they do. If you are part of that church that will make your heart melt and bring tears to your eyes for the warmth that it brings forth.

[10] Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth

What is the hour of temptation that the church of Philadelphia escapes?  The hour of temptation is that "hour" (we'll learn exactly how long that is when we get to chapter 5) when the "Tempter", Satan, is here as Antichrist, claiming to be the Messiah.

Does that mean then that the church is going to "fly up in the sky" in the Rapturemobile? No, silly listener of silly preachers, it means that those with the seal of God in their foreheads, who have abided in His Word, having unlocked all the verses with the key of David, not only won't find Satan tempting, but Christ instructs Satan that he is not allowed to touch even a single hair on their heads. It is written in this Book of Revelation. We'll get to it.

These Christian "bruisers" will be right here, with their feet firmly planted on the ground, walking around with a full suit of gospel armor on and in place, giving Sword Lessons. Care to challenge one of them?

[11] Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

[12] Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Now listen real carefully to what is said next and try to grasp the almost unimaginable magnitude of it. If you don't have ears to hear yet, then dig the wax out of the ones you've got and use them for a change.

Those overcomers of the church of Philadelphia will get a new name, because there is a marriage about to take place and the bride always gets a new name (the name of her husband, read verse 12 carefully), and their new address will be #1 Philadelphia Street, The Eternal City New Jerusalem, Planet Earth, Headquarters of the Universe.

[13] He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.