The small fledgling Church in Philadelphia was marked by obedience to the word of Christ and faithfulness to bearing testimony to him. Let us follow. It’s a wonderful example!
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Philadelphia: The Open Door Church
Revelation 3:7-13
Jesus’ self-description: He who is holy (not found in ch. 1). He who is true (“faithful witness” of 1:5?).
He who has the key of David (1:18?).
Commendation:
- You have a little power – 8
- You have kept My word (of perseverance) – 8,10
- You have not denied My name – 8
I will
- Cause those of the synagogue of Satan come and bow at your feet
- Make them know I have loved you
- Keep you from the hour of testing
Exhortation (instead of correction)
Hold fast what you have so that no one will take your crown.
Promises:
Make him a pillar in the temple of My God – he will not go out from it anymore. Uninterrupted eternal fellowship with God.
Write on him name of God, new Jerusalem, and Jesus’ new name – new and deeper fellowship with Christ.
Steve Gregg:
The city of Philadelphia had a relatively small population in John’s day, due to the fear of earthquakes, with which the city was plagued. Was destroyed by earthquake in AD 17. Were fearful about living in town and remained in the surrounding countryside.
As in the case in Smyrna, the present troublers of the church in Philadelphia appear to have been the local Jews. A worse calamity, of broader proportions, however, was coming, and Jesus promises to preserve the church through it.
This church receives no rebuke, just as in Smyrna.
Self-Designation: this is the first of the letters not to take its introductory description from features found in chapter 1. Elsewhere in Revelation, Jesus is declared to be both holy (15:4) and true (19:11) – and is also said to be “holy and true” (6:10).
The reference to Jesus having the kdy of David is an allusion to Is. 22:22, in which the same privilege is assigned to man named Eliakim, who was steward over the house of King Hezekiah. He had the power to either admit or deny entrance into the king’s house. Jesus is claiming to have a corresponding right with reference to admitting people into God’s presence. He tells the church that He has chosen to admit them : “I have set before you an open door (8)”. The mention that “no one can shut it” may imply that the Jews in Philadelphia sought to exclude the Gentiles from God but Jesus had made access available to them through Himself. Though persecuted and having only a little power, the congregation had managed to remain faithful.
They are not real Jews in Christ’s sight because “if you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham” (Jn.8:39; Rom. 2:28)
I will make them come and bow down at your feet – does not mean that the believers will be worshiped as deities, but they will be sitting enthroned with Christ (3:21), before whom, someday every knee shall bow. Though they are presently seeking to exclude the Gentiles from the love and favor of God, the day will come when these Jews will be forced to acknowledge that I have loved you (9). Jn.17:23.
Keep them from the hour of testing…does not require removal from the planet, since Jesus specified that His prayer was not that the disciples be taken out of the world, but that God would keep them from the evil one (Jn.17:15).
To the Idealist, the time of trial is generic. All people the world over experience times of trial. From time to time in history there are international conflicts that threaten the peace and safety of believers as well as unbelievers. Through all such trials, the believer, who has kept faith with the Lord, is secure in God’s care.
Preterists argue that an empire-wide crisis would satisfy the normal use of the terminology in Rev. 3:10. “The whole world” is a term used to designate the Roman Empire in Lk. 2:1.
To test those who dwell on the earth (or “land” of Israel) may suggest that there is a crisis that will shake the whole empire and put the Jews, in particular, into special peril. AD 68 – the death of Nero, and the civil wars that followed, greatly threatened the stability of the Roman Empire, until Vespasian was made emperor in AD 70. During this same period (66-70), the Jews were embroiled in a fight for the survival of their nation against the Romans… a fight they lost. Preterism suggests that this judgment on Jerusalem is what is implied in the promise, I am coming quickly! (11).
Assuming a familiarity with the concept of the church being the temple of God, faithful confessors will possess positions of stability and support. Such pillars are earthquake-proof, so that, unlike the citizens of Philadelphia, who had frequently been driven out of their city by quakes, the overcomer shall go out no more.
Having the name of God and Christ written upon oneself is probably like a slave bearing the brand of his master. Rev.7:3;14:1 – seal. It is not a visible tattoo, but the seal of God’s ownership, (Eph.1:13; 4:30). The writing of the New Jerusalem upon the belieer suggests citizenship there
William Hendriksen:
Philadelphia was founded with the intention of being a center for the spread of the Greek language and manners in Lydia and in Phrygia
The pretensions of the false or non-genuine Jews are not pleasing to Him. Christ alone has the key of David, that is, the highest power and authority in the kingdom of God.
Although this church is small in number, of little power, and small in wealth, it has remained loyal to the gospel and had not denied the name of its Lord.
I have set before you an open door – a wonderful opportunity to preach the gospel. This church was of small account in human eyes, was great in God’s eyes.
Over against Jewish scoffers and accusers it had ‘kept the word of Christ’s patience’,
Notice the divine protection “I will also keep you”, and human exertion “hold fast that which you have”. They go hand in hand.
They will be made pillars in God’s temple. A pillar is something permanent. They will obtain the one thing which David desired – Ps.27:4. No earthquake will ever fill them with fear or drive them out of the heavenly city. They will abide there.
To the overcomer will be given the assurance that he belongs to God and to the new Jerusalem and to Christ, and that he will everlastingly share in all the blessings of all three.
Art Azurdia:
30 miles southeast of Sardis. It became a city of great commercial importance. It was also of agricultural significance. Because of the ash from the active volcanos just north, it was very fertile. It was known as the wine country in the Eastern world. The presence of those volcanos, however, rendered the area subject to great earthquakes.
Sardis was large, wealthy church. But it was dead. Philadelphia was small and poor and unsophisticated. Anything but glamorous. But was faithful to the gospel. This is the only church where Jesus openly acknowledges His love to them. That is very unusual in the Revelation. Maybe our criteria for measuring the success of the church should be changed. Maybe at the top of the list it should be “faithfulness to the gospel” rather than seating capacity of the sanctuary.
There is no condemnation for this church.
“Holy and true” – 6:10.
True = faithfulness; can be trusted to keep His word. Covenant faithfulness.
Key of David – Is.22:22. Eliakim will have complete control of the ones who enter into the house of the King. Jesus Christ as the full right to determine who gets into the New Jerusalem and who is kept out. “I am the way and the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” – Jn.14:6.
8 – I know your deeds. He is eager to encourage this church.
The true nature of the church is discovered in a time of trial and testing. When a testimony to Jesus Christ means rejection.
Is Jesus talking about the Great Tribulation? “About to come…” Does it make sense that Jesus would promise the church in Philadelphia exemption from something that would take place thousands of years later? Remember this is a letter relevant to them. We know from 1:9 tells us that we live in the epoch of tribulation. We are in it right now. What about “the whole world”? Very same phrase in Luke 2:1. This is not just Jerusalem. It is all the inhabited earth. Jesus is speaking about an imminent trial which will come upon all the inhabitants of the Roman Empire. The purpose? To reveal the true nature of those who oppose God and His people – “earth dwellers.” This phrase speaks of those who are the enemies of God.
This can’t be the Great Tribulation, because over and over in Revelation we read of the martyrs. Not people who escape suffering.
“keep you from” – that phrase only used one other place, also from lips of Jesus. Jn.17 – “keep them from the evil one.” Spiritually protected through. It is not a protection from persecution, but from apostasy. “No one will be able to snatch you from My hand.” “No one can separate you from My love.”
11 – keep firm grip on the gospel. Let no one persuade you to give it up and thus defraud you of the crown of LIFE. Those who persevere gain the prize. Must hold fast! Encouragement to do so – “I am coming quickly.” Not the 2nd coming. This is His coming to do what He just said in the prior verse – “to keep them in the testing.” Come in increased presence.
Pillar in the temple. After that earthquake in AD 17 what was left? Only the pillars in pagan temples. Separation from God will be an impossibility.
Triple Name written on them. We will be marked out as belonging to God’s Son, City, God Himself. What a promise given to this little and insignificant church! They will belong!
Non-Christians – come to Christ. He is the keeper of the keys of the kingdom of heaven!
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