The First Church of the Rapture, Part 2

Before continuing on in our journey regarding the Philadelphian church found in Revelation 3, we must be reminded that prophecy is history “foretold” — that is, announced in advance. Therefore it should not be surprising to us that Jesus would identify for us seven distinct phases Christianity would go through during the times of the Gentiles spoken of by Paul in Romans 11. That he would use seven literal, historical churches for his descriptions does not hinder this one iota.

Though much of Revelation’s prophecy is yet to be seen, the last nearly 2,000 years of church history are indeed pegged with milestones found in Revelation 2 and 3. From the rise of Roman Catholicism to the fall of multi-denominationalism into apostasy, Christ Jesus lays it bare because it is his story. As Jesus repeats seven times, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

Concerning the church in Philadelphia, the story is one of reward for endurance. As we mentioned last week, the rapture is a reward, though it yet remains unrealized for the moment. But before Christ promised them the rapture, he first made them a promise concerning what verse 9 calls, “the synagogue of Satan.”

To understand the significance of this, we must first understand that this is being used in a conjunctive sense. Out of the seven churches listed for us, only Smyrna and Philadelphia are mentioned in relation to this synagogue. Literally, what this indicates is that these are joined together in the cause of Christ (sister churches), the only difference being that Smyrna is dipped into persecution while Philadelphia is raised from it.

Also, it is significant that the word “synagogue” is used, which is used only of the Jews in the New Testament. What these point to is that both these churches were afflicted by this “synagogue.” Though it is plain that they were not persecuted by the Jews themselves, the New Testament and history both bear out that the early church was first persecuted by the Jews.

Thus, we conclude that this promise is made as a reward for endurance of persecution.

Next, we need to understand that this “synagogue of Satan” is used in a comparative sense. That is, it is the synagogue of Satan that had the upper hand. In verse 8, Philadelphia is described as having “a little strength” — i.e., they were in survival mode. And this, my friends, is the natural result of persecution. The aim of persecution is the annihilation of otherwise superior competition, with results that cannot be achieved any other way.

Lastly, it is significant that this oppressing synagogue is said to be “of Satan.” The human face thereof aside, it should not be surprising that ultimately the god of this world is in charge of this assault against true Bible-believing Christianity. Until the day the devil is thrown into the Lake of Fire (Rev. 20:10), he will be a constant adversary toward the cause of Christ.

What then is this tangible promise that causes the synagogue of Satan to worship before those they persecute? Why, it is nothing less than Christian religious liberty. Historically, it washed up on the shores of Rhode Island having traversed the Atlantic in desperation. Though it would take many years later for this liberty to be fully realized under the United States Constitution’s Bill of Rights, by this one stroke alone Christ threw open that door that no man could shut. And through this door, the gospel went forth unto all the world.

Before we close, a couple of conclusions are in order. First, we need to realize the huge distinction between religious liberty and Christian religious liberty. The devil is not opposed to religious liberty, per se, but he does oppose liberty that allows men, women, boys and girls the freedom to chose Christ, who alone can save them from their sins. True, biblical Christianity is the only religion that stands in the way of the eternal death offered by the synagogue of Satan.

And lastly, we need to see the great value Christ places on endurance. Those consigned by society to obscurity and fed a steady diet of persecution persevered. They were dyed-in-the-wool; they never quit. They faced death with resolve and so offered up their own bodies as living sacrifices for their Lord they so loved. In effect, Christian religious liberty was purchased by blood.

If you call yourself a Baptist today, let not that blood be in vain.

Ron Hamman is pastor of Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla. Contact him at 357-4229 or rghamman@mtaonline.net.