Notes on a church known for its love and faithfulness.
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Revelation 3: 7-13
The American City
Most Americans know the meaning of the name Philadelphia. This fact is especially true if you live in that great city of Pennsylvania located in the Northeast section of the United States. Over 1.6 million people call Philidelphia home. It is known for its contribution to founding the American dream of freedom, free from the tyranny of Great Brittan and the powerful papacy of the Roman Catholic Church in Europe. But also the personal right of every human to “… to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” (United State Declaration of Independence)
Both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed here. The authors of our famous documents desired a country without a king and a church without a pope. America’s pursuit of freedom and equality for every citizen has its roots in this famous city.
William Penn, a Quaker, founded Philidelphia in 1862, which became the capital of the Pennsylvania colony. The name means “brotherly love” in the Greek language. Interestingly, the Greek word for Philadelphia appears only twice in the Bible. Both references appear in the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:11 and 3:7). John was inspired to write to this city after receiving a vision from God.
The City of Revelation
“Asia Minor, situated near the eastern base of Mount Tmolus, (was founded and named by the Pergamene king Attalus II, Philadelphus. After the death of king Attalus III. Philometor, B. C. 133, it together with his entire kingdom came by his will under the jurisdiction of the Romans” (Ref: Blue Bible)
King Attalus II reigned for approximately 21 years 159-138 BC), whose “love for his brother Eumenes II gave him the epithet Philadelphus; after him, Philidelphia (brotherly love) was named. This prosperous city lay on the imperial post road. From its inception, Philadelphia was intended to serve as a missionary city for the promotion of the Greek language and culture to the area of Lydia and Phrygia. Its geographical location, however, made it subject to occasional earthquakes; in particular, the severe earthquake of A.D. 17 devastated Philadelphia together with Sardis and other surrounding cities.” (Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic, p.143)
The Church In Philadelphia
Jesus introduces Himself to this church with these characteristics:
- The Holy One
- the True One
- The One who has the key of David who opens and no one shuts and shuts, and no one opens.
The first two attributes of Christ are significant for this church and all “who have an ear.” Christ is holy (set apart above the world’s sins) and the only One who is genuine and faithful. All others are false. Exclusive statements about Christ are inclusive of everyone, whether they believe it or not. Jesus and His promises are precise for each and every person. Therefore, exclusive comments about Jesus like this are not threatening if they are true. Jesus has proven to be true.
Exclusive statements about God and Jesus often appear in the Bible. For example, Jesus said something very similar, as recorded by John:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14: 6
In a similar point, Paul asks a question to the Roman church to clarify that unfaithful people do not affect the truth of God.
What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. Romans 3: 3-4
So, Jesus is the untouched and unsoiled source of truth. But, he also declares He has keys to a door that none of us possess. He can let people in or people out. What does this mean? In or out of what?
An Open Door
Some might surmise that the door represents an entrance or exit into heaven. This has logical meaning to the western mind. However, in the context of the literal setting of Philadelphia, the purpose of this church, and other Bible references, it is likely a metaphor for an open door of opportunity that Jesus opens. When He does, no one can stop His purpose.
“The city’s strategic location made it the gateway to the East. From its very beginning, Philadelphia was deliberately built to be “the missionary city” for spreading the Greek culture and language among the barbarian tribes throughout the regions of Asia. Being on the imperial post road, Philadelphia was indeed given an open door for the spreading Greek ideas throughout the region.”
Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic, p. 144
The Philadelphia church also became an effective highway for spreading the gospel. This poses the question to the modern church. As we located where we can spread the gospel, or do we locate ourselves away from the highways and byways of the lost or to protect ourselves? Do we go inward or outward?
This was the purpose of all the churches and it continues to this day. Instead, we find ourselves more like a club for the comfort of the saints and we stay “in.” To go “out” is symbolic of proactiveness. Going “in” is more for the fearful and introverted. Paul spoke about the open door and going out in the world of opportunity for the sake of the kingdom. Going out means facing adversaries and the difficulties of being a worker for the kingdom of God.
For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:9
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 2 Corinthians 2:12
…praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, Col 4:3
If God opens a door, the church should go through. Sometimes we find ourselves timid and excuse ourselves to tarry and pray. But often, the prayers have already been prayed, we just are too timid because of the challenges we anticipate. The road is not aways smooth anyway.
“Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”
The work of spreading the gospel is God’s work,. We are just encouraged to be willing to follow and go out as He gives the opportunity. Has God opened the door for your church?
A Trial on the Earth
I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. Verses 11:12
Ah! many will say after seeing the phrase “from the hour of trial”, “See, God’s church has been raptured away, so they are not on the earth to witness this trial” (a.k.a time of trouble.).
This teaching hangs on one word “from.” But look at the exhortation and context of the reward in the next verse.
Jesus tells us to “hold on to what we have so that no one will take your crown.” Can someone take your crown if you are already in paradise? Of course not. In the next breathe, Jesus talks about individual victory that leads to being a strong “pillar” in heaven. Strength comes from the patient endurance found in verse 10.
Jesus prayed,
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.
John 17:15
Will God the Father answer Jesus’ prayer? I think so. Don’t you. We are to stay in this world to the end as a witness or testimony to the power of Jesus in our hearts regardless of the circumstances. Again, the western mind thinks only of the convenience and comfort of being snatched away. This is dangerous because this teaching minimizes spiritual preparation.
Philadelphia – A Historical Symbol
This church could easily be a symbol of the church during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In America and around the world, the Bible was being more understood as predicted by the prophet Daniel and encouraged by John when he said,
Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Revelation 1:3
“With ‘little strength’ (3:8), the church of this period was indeed a missionary church driven by a strong desire to bring the gospel to the entire world. This period was a time of great advancement of the gospel, such as had not been experienced ever before in Chrisitan history.” Revelation of Jesus Christ, Stefanovic, p. 146
As the world has gotten larger, the tools to communicate have increased. Doors are open behind walled and discriminatory countries.
The church of Philadelphia encourages us to walk through the door of opportunity while it is day and light is available to everyone. Let us be quick to walk through the door and shake off the comfort of familiarity while it daytime. One day, darkeness will attempt to cover the whole earth.
I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. John 9:4