The Church of Philadelphia
|
|
Revelation 3:7-13 (NIV)
7 “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.
The Philadelphia Church was the church of privilege, the church of the "open door."
It was not large in numbers.
The city in which it was located was unimportant and had suffered greatly from earthquakes; however, the city was on the direct route to the highlands of central Asia Minor and thus had unusual opportunities of evangelizing the inner provinces.
The church seems to have taken full advantage, and the letter to this church is an encouragement to enter every open door of service and thus to secure an abiding influence for good.
The Author (Jesus) describes himself as "he that is holy, he that is true." "The Holy One" is a term which in the OT is applied to deity.
Here "holy" denotes the divine sanctity of Christ as separated from all limitations and imperfections.
He is also "true" as fulfilling the divine ideal and also as constant to his plighted (a formal promise or pledge) word.
Further, it is "he holds the key of David, he that opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." The key is the symbol of authority and rule.
All the promises made to the royal house of David are fulfilled in the exaltation of Christ, who has been set over the house of God and who has "all authority..in heaven and on earth."
This letter deals with doors of opportunity, which when Christ opens them, none can close. This church, as to the church of Smyrna, there is given no word of criticism or rebuke.
The following is taken from John Darby’s Synopsis of the New Testament on Revelation 3. (http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/john-darbys-synopsis-of-the-new-testament)/
Liberty was taken to copy, paraphrase, and reformat the information to make points and present the information in an understandable manner.
The assembly of Philadelphia has a peculiarly interesting character. Nothing is said of its works, but that Christ knows them. But what is interesting in it is that it is associated with Christ Himself.
Here it is His personal character, what He is intrinsically, holy and true, what the word displays and requires, and what the word of God is in itself-moral character and faithfulness. Indeed this last word includes all: faithfulness to God within and without, according to what is revealed, and faithful to make good all He has declared.
Christ is known as the Holy One. Then outward ecclesiastical associations or pretensions will not do. There must be what suits His nature, and faithful consistency with that word which He will certainly make good.
With this He has the administration; and opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens. See what His path was on earth: only then graciously dependent, as we are.
But there was a promise also as to the Lord's judgments in the earth. Christ is waiting till His enemies be made His footstool. We must wait for it to see the world set right. We have to go on where the god of this world has his way, though under divine limitation.
But then there were other and blessed encouragements. There was an hour of temptation coming upon all the world to try those who belonged to earth, who dwelt there as belonging to it.
Some might be spared, victorious in the trial; but those who kept the word of Christ's patience would be kept from it. On the whole world it would come; and where were they? Out of the world.
They had not belonged to it when in it. They had been waiting for Christ to take His power waiting His time to have the world. They belonged to heaven, to Him who was there; and they would be taken to be with Him when the world was to be in the time of terrible trial.
There was a special time before He took His power; and not only would they reign with Him in result, but they would be kept from that hour, and had the assurance of it in the time of their trial. And hence the Lord points them to His coming as their hope; not as warning that the unrepentant would be treated as the world when He appeared. He came quickly, and they were to look for the crown then, holding fast what they had, feeble but spiritually associated with Him as they were, lest any should take it.
We have now the general promise in heavenly places marked by special association with Christ; and they are publicly owned in that in which they seemed on earth to have nothing.
Others had the pretension to be the people of God, the city of God to have divine religious title; these were only consistent with His word, and they waited for Christ.
Now, when Christ takes His power, when things are real, according to Him in power, they have this place according to God. It was the cross and contempt below; it is the display of God's name and heavenly city above.
Let us examine the promise to the overcomers here. He who had but a little strength is a pillar in the temple of the God in whom and with whom he is blessed. He was held perhaps for outside the ecclesiastical unity and order; he is a pillar in it in heaven, and will go no more out.
On him who was hardly owned to have a part in grace has the name of his rejected Savior's God been stamped publicly in glory.
He who was hardly accounted to belong to the holy city has its heavenly name written on him too, and Christ's new name the name not known to prophets and Jews according to the flesh, but which He has taken as dead to this world (where the false assembly settles down) and risen into heavenly glory.
The careful association with Christ is striking here, and gives its character to the promise. "The temple of my God," says Christ; "the name of my God ;", " of the city of my God", " my new name."
Associated in Christ's own patience, Christ confers upon him what fully associates him in His own blessing with God. This is of peculiar blessing, and full of encouragement for us.
The following is from a STUDY FROM THE GUZIK BIBLE COMMENTARY on Revelation 3. (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary)
Liberty was taken to copy, paraphrase, and reformat the information to make points and present the information in an understandable manner.
Jesus' letter to the church at Philadelphia.
1. The character of the city of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:7
…And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…
a. Philadelphia: The name means brotherly love, and this city was the youngest of the seven cities, and was originally founded as a missionary outpost for Hellenism, the culture of ancient Greece.
i. "The original purpose behind this key city was to make it a center for spreading Greek language, culture and manners throughout the Asian provinces." (Hocking)
ii. "Philadelphia had been built with the deliberate intention that it might become a missionary city. Beyond Philadelphia lay the wilds of Phrygia and the barbarous tribes; and it was intended that the function of Philadelphia should be to spread the Greek language, the Greek way of life, the Greek civilization, throughout the regions beyond." (Barclay)
iii. The city gained its name after its founder - Attalus the Second - who was nicknamed Philadelphos.
b. Philadelphia: This was a prosperous city. "Philadelphia commanded one of the greatest highways in the world, the highway which led from Europe to the East. Philadelphia was the gateway from one continent to another." (Barclay)
c. Philadelphia: This city was also known for beautiful buildings (it was called the "little Athens") and her earthquakes, which required frequent evacuations.
"To walk through its temple-scattered streets was to be reminded of Athens, the center of worship of the Olympian gods." (Barclay)
2. Jesus describes Himself to the church at Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:7
…These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":
a. These things says He who is holy, He who is true: Jesus reminded the church in Philadelphia that He was holy and true. These do not describe "tendencies" within Jesus, but His very being. They also show that Jesus is Yahweh, because He alone is holy in an absolute sense.
b. There are two ancient Greek words that we might translate true. One means "true and not false." The other means "true and not fake." The ancient Greek word used here for true (alethinos) is the second, with the idea of "real" or "genuine." Jesus is true in all of who He is; He is the real God and the real man.
c. “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
Jesus showed He is also the keeper of the keys and doors. In this quotation from Isaiah 22:20-23, Jesus expressed His power and authority, especially to admit and exclude.
3. What Jesus knows about the church of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:8
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
a. “I know your works”: Jesus said this to each of the seven churches. The church at Philadelphia had served God well in difficult circumstances, and Jesus knew it.
b. “I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it”: The church in Philadelphia had an open door set before them. Often, an open door speaks of evangelistic opportunity (1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, and Colossians 4:3). Jesus told them He had opened the door of evangelistic opportunity, and they must go through that door in faith.
i. In its history, Philadelphia had a great "evangelistic" calling. The city had the mission of spreading Greek culture and language through the whole region. Now Jesus opened the door for the Christians of Philadelphia to spread the culture of His kingdom through the whole region.
ii. Jesus told them to see that they had this open door. Sometimes God sets an open door of evangelistic opportunity in front of us, but we don't see it
iii. Once we see the open door, we then have to walk through it. God wants us to take every evangelistic opportunity that He gives us.
c. “And no one can shut it”: The emphasis is on unhindered openness. There is nothing that can keep them from their access to this door. Since Jesus is He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens (Revelation 3:7), He had the authority to keep this door open for the Christians in Philadelphia.
i. "David could shut or open the kingdom of Israel to whom he pleased. He was not bound to leave the kingdom even to his eldest son. He could choose whom he pleased to succeed him. The kingdom of the Gospel, and the kingdom of heaven, are at the disposal of Christ." (Clarke)
iii. Because Jesus has opened the door, He gets the glory for it. "Neither wealth or influence, neither promotional schemes nor the eloquence of its pulpit, nor the harmonies of its musicians can give it an effective ministry. The Lord alone has opened the door; the Lord alone 'giveth the increase.' " (H. Morris)
d. “For you have a little strength”: The term a little strength does not imply weakness, but real strength. They were weak enough to be strong in the Lord. We can be "too strong" or "too big" or too sure of ourselves for God to really use us. The church in Philadelphia had the poverty of spirit to know they really needed God's strength.
i. "It is not a matter of great strength, not great ability but great dependability. Samson had great ability but poor dependability. A little strength faithfully used means more than much strength flashily and fitfully used." (Havner)
ii. The Apostle Paul was a great example of this dynamic of weakness and strength. God's strength was made evident in his weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
e. “Have kept My word, and have not denied My name”: The church in Philadelphia was faithful to Jesus and His word. The idea behind have not denied My name is not only that they expressed their allegiance to Jesus, but that they lived in a way that was faithful to the name and character of Jesus.
Some churches that claim great faithfulness to the word of Jesus deny His name - His character. They represent the manner and style of Jesus as something very different from what the Bible shows.
f. Look at the features of the church in Philadelphia:
In some ways, these features seem unspectacular. They should be commonplace among churches. Yet Jesus was completely pleased with this church. He had nothing negative to say to the church at Philadelphia.
g. "The church of Philadelphia is commended for keeping the Word of the Lord and not denying His Name. Success in Christian work is not to be measured by any other standard of achievement. It is not rise in ecclesiastical position. It is not the number of new buildings which have been built through a man's ministry. It is not the crowds that flock to listen to any human voice. All of these things are frequently used as yardsticks of success, but they are earthly and not heavenly measures." (Barnhouse)
4. What Jesus will do for the Christians of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:9-10
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie; indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
(Refer to page 9 "Synagogue of Satan.")
a. “I will make those of the synagogue of Satan”: Apparently, the Christians in Philadelphia were persecuted by Jewish people (the synagogue). However, these persecuting Jews were Jews in name only (who say they are Jews and are not, but lie). In fact, they had no spiritual connection to Abraham or to the people of faith.
In this, Jesus did not speak against all Jewish people. It would be entirely wrong to speak of the Jewish people as a whole as the synagogue of Satan or those who say they are Jews and are not. Jesus spoke of this specific group of Jewish people in Philadelphia who persecuted the Christians during that period.
b. “I will make them come and worship before your feet”: In this, Jesus promised that He would vindicate His people and make sure that their persecutors recognized they were wrong, and that Jesus and His followers were right. The idea is of vindication before self-righteous "spiritual" persecutors. God promised that the church in Philadelphia would be vindicated before their persecutors.
c. “I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world”: Jesus also promised them protection from the hour of trial coming on the whole world.
Most Bible scholars see this hour of trial as a prophetic reference to the Messianic woes, the Great Tribulation, which precede Jesus' earthly kingdom. Jesus promised to keep these Christians from that hour of trial.
d. “To test those who dwell on the earth”: The test is directed against those who dwell on the earth. This phrase is used nine times in the Book of Revelation, and it speaks of those who are not saved in Jesus. Revelation 17:8 makes the term synonymous with the lost: And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. This test is for unbelievers, not Christians.
i. Those who dwell on the earth "refers not to believers but to unbelievers who are objects of God's wrath" throughout Revelation. (Johnson)
ii. Christians are different. Though we walk on this earth, our dwelling place is in heaven. We have been seated in heavenly places in Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). We do not dwell on the earth, our life is hidden in Jesus (Colossians 3:3).
e. “Keep you from the hour of trial”: Does this imply an escape before the Great Tribulation, or does it promise protection in it?
…iii. However, persevere is in the past tense, showing it is something that the Christians had already done before the hour of trial, which has not yet come upon the world. The promise is a reward for past perseverance, not the equipping to persevere in the future. "As far as the Philadelphian church was concerned, the rapture of the church was presented to them as an imminent hope." (Walvoord)
iv. In addition, the ones tested by this hour of trial are not primarily believers, but those who dwell on the earth - whose home is this earth, who are not citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
5. What Jesus wants the church of Philadelphia to do.
Revelation 3:11
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
a. “Behold, I am coming quickly”: First, the church at Philadelphia must remember that Jesus is coming quickly, and they must prepare for His coming.
"The expression 'quickly' is to be understood as something which is sudden and unexpected, not necessarily immediate." (Walvoord)
b. “Hold fast what you have”: The church at Philadelphia must not depart from its solid foundation, as described in Revelation 3:8:
These things can and must continue among the church in Philadelphia, but it will only happen as they hold fast what they have.
c. “That no one may take your crown”: If they failed to hold fast, their crown might be given to another. The idea is not that it might be stolen by another, but given.
This was not a crown of royalty, given because of royal birth. This was a crown of victory. Jesus encouraged His saints to finish their course with victory,..
6. A promise of reward.
Revelation 3:12
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
a. “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar”: Overcomers were told that they would be as a pillar in the temple of My God. Pillars were pictures of strength, stability, and dignified beauty.
i. The ancient city of Philadelphia suffered from frequent earthquakes. When a building collapsed in an earthquake often all that remained standing were the huge pillars. Jesus offers us this same strength, to remain standing in Him when everything around us crumbles.
ii. The pillar holds up the building. The only thing supporting the pillar is the foundation. True pillars in the church support the church, and they look to Jesus as their support foundation.
b. “He shall go out no more”: The overcomer would have a place of permanence and stability with God, in contrast to an uncertain place in this world.
"The citizens of Philadelphia lived an unsettled and tremulous life. Whenever the earthquake tremors came, and they came often, the people of Philadelphia fled from the city out into the open country, to escape the falling masonry and the flying stones which accompanied a severe earthquake shock. Then, when the earth was quiet again, they returned. In their fear the people of Philadelphia were always going out and coming in; they were always fleeing from the city and then returning to it." (Barclay)
c. “I will write on him the name of My God . . . I will write on him My new name”: The overcomer also received many names - of God, the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus. These names are marks of identification because they show who we belong to. They are marks of intimacy, because they show we are privileged to know Him in ways others are not.
This works together well with the image of a pillar. In the ancient world, having a special inscribed pillar added to one of the temples sometimes honored a faithful city servant or distinguished priest. "Philadelphia honored its illustrious sons by putting their names on the pillars of its temples, so that all who came to worship might see and remember." (Barclay)
7. A general exhortation to all who will hear.
Revelation 3:13
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
“He who has an ear, let him hear”: We all want to hear the praise and encouragement Jesus gave to the church at Philadelphia. If we will be like this church, we must stay on their foundation, which was Jesus' name and Jesus' word. We must also depend on their source of strength which was Jesus, not themselves.
End of Guzik Commentary Study
Jesus knows their deeds and have placed before you an open door that no one can shut even though they had little strength they kept His word and had not denied His Name.
They had been persecuted by those who claimed to be Jews but were of the synagogue of Satan and were liars. Jesus would cause them to recognize the church and acknowledge the true "Israel of God" and bow down to Christ at their feet and acknowledge that God had loved them.
Through trials to come they would be kept by the Power of Christ. They would be kept safe. They should hold on to what they have so that no one would take their crown.
Each church has its own responsibility; each individual has his own task and his own talents. Each one must be faithful. Otherwise the opportunity will be lost and the privilege seized by one more alert; and the prize for loyalty may be forfeited and another may win the crown.
The promise to the over comer, as in each of the seven letters, is addressed to the individual members of the church. It is an assurance of permanent incorporation in the temple of God, the temple which is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone":
Each pillar is to be inscribed with three new names. These are signs and seals of immortal blessedness.
Revelation 3:12
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
"I will write on them the name of my God"
(Indicating a complete consecration to the service of God)
“… and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God”
(denoting an inalienable citizenship in the celestial city)
“… and I will also write on them My new name.”
(a symbol of the fuller knowledge of Christ which will be revealed at his coming when we shall see him even as he is).
Click to Go To the Church of Laodicia
Click to go back to the index
7 “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.
The Philadelphia Church was the church of privilege, the church of the "open door."
It was not large in numbers.
The city in which it was located was unimportant and had suffered greatly from earthquakes; however, the city was on the direct route to the highlands of central Asia Minor and thus had unusual opportunities of evangelizing the inner provinces.
The church seems to have taken full advantage, and the letter to this church is an encouragement to enter every open door of service and thus to secure an abiding influence for good.
The Author (Jesus) describes himself as "he that is holy, he that is true." "The Holy One" is a term which in the OT is applied to deity.
Here "holy" denotes the divine sanctity of Christ as separated from all limitations and imperfections.
He is also "true" as fulfilling the divine ideal and also as constant to his plighted (a formal promise or pledge) word.
Further, it is "he holds the key of David, he that opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." The key is the symbol of authority and rule.
All the promises made to the royal house of David are fulfilled in the exaltation of Christ, who has been set over the house of God and who has "all authority..in heaven and on earth."
This letter deals with doors of opportunity, which when Christ opens them, none can close. This church, as to the church of Smyrna, there is given no word of criticism or rebuke.
The following is taken from John Darby’s Synopsis of the New Testament on Revelation 3. (http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/john-darbys-synopsis-of-the-new-testament)/
Liberty was taken to copy, paraphrase, and reformat the information to make points and present the information in an understandable manner.
The assembly of Philadelphia has a peculiarly interesting character. Nothing is said of its works, but that Christ knows them. But what is interesting in it is that it is associated with Christ Himself.
Here it is His personal character, what He is intrinsically, holy and true, what the word displays and requires, and what the word of God is in itself-moral character and faithfulness. Indeed this last word includes all: faithfulness to God within and without, according to what is revealed, and faithful to make good all He has declared.
Christ is known as the Holy One. Then outward ecclesiastical associations or pretensions will not do. There must be what suits His nature, and faithful consistency with that word which He will certainly make good.
With this He has the administration; and opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens. See what His path was on earth: only then graciously dependent, as we are.
But there was a promise also as to the Lord's judgments in the earth. Christ is waiting till His enemies be made His footstool. We must wait for it to see the world set right. We have to go on where the god of this world has his way, though under divine limitation.
But then there were other and blessed encouragements. There was an hour of temptation coming upon all the world to try those who belonged to earth, who dwelt there as belonging to it.
Some might be spared, victorious in the trial; but those who kept the word of Christ's patience would be kept from it. On the whole world it would come; and where were they? Out of the world.
They had not belonged to it when in it. They had been waiting for Christ to take His power waiting His time to have the world. They belonged to heaven, to Him who was there; and they would be taken to be with Him when the world was to be in the time of terrible trial.
There was a special time before He took His power; and not only would they reign with Him in result, but they would be kept from that hour, and had the assurance of it in the time of their trial. And hence the Lord points them to His coming as their hope; not as warning that the unrepentant would be treated as the world when He appeared. He came quickly, and they were to look for the crown then, holding fast what they had, feeble but spiritually associated with Him as they were, lest any should take it.
We have now the general promise in heavenly places marked by special association with Christ; and they are publicly owned in that in which they seemed on earth to have nothing.
Others had the pretension to be the people of God, the city of God to have divine religious title; these were only consistent with His word, and they waited for Christ.
Now, when Christ takes His power, when things are real, according to Him in power, they have this place according to God. It was the cross and contempt below; it is the display of God's name and heavenly city above.
Let us examine the promise to the overcomers here. He who had but a little strength is a pillar in the temple of the God in whom and with whom he is blessed. He was held perhaps for outside the ecclesiastical unity and order; he is a pillar in it in heaven, and will go no more out.
On him who was hardly owned to have a part in grace has the name of his rejected Savior's God been stamped publicly in glory.
He who was hardly accounted to belong to the holy city has its heavenly name written on him too, and Christ's new name the name not known to prophets and Jews according to the flesh, but which He has taken as dead to this world (where the false assembly settles down) and risen into heavenly glory.
The careful association with Christ is striking here, and gives its character to the promise. "The temple of my God," says Christ; "the name of my God ;", " of the city of my God", " my new name."
Associated in Christ's own patience, Christ confers upon him what fully associates him in His own blessing with God. This is of peculiar blessing, and full of encouragement for us.
The following is from a STUDY FROM THE GUZIK BIBLE COMMENTARY on Revelation 3. (https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary)
Liberty was taken to copy, paraphrase, and reformat the information to make points and present the information in an understandable manner.
Jesus' letter to the church at Philadelphia.
1. The character of the city of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:7
…And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write…
a. Philadelphia: The name means brotherly love, and this city was the youngest of the seven cities, and was originally founded as a missionary outpost for Hellenism, the culture of ancient Greece.
i. "The original purpose behind this key city was to make it a center for spreading Greek language, culture and manners throughout the Asian provinces." (Hocking)
ii. "Philadelphia had been built with the deliberate intention that it might become a missionary city. Beyond Philadelphia lay the wilds of Phrygia and the barbarous tribes; and it was intended that the function of Philadelphia should be to spread the Greek language, the Greek way of life, the Greek civilization, throughout the regions beyond." (Barclay)
iii. The city gained its name after its founder - Attalus the Second - who was nicknamed Philadelphos.
b. Philadelphia: This was a prosperous city. "Philadelphia commanded one of the greatest highways in the world, the highway which led from Europe to the East. Philadelphia was the gateway from one continent to another." (Barclay)
c. Philadelphia: This city was also known for beautiful buildings (it was called the "little Athens") and her earthquakes, which required frequent evacuations.
"To walk through its temple-scattered streets was to be reminded of Athens, the center of worship of the Olympian gods." (Barclay)
2. Jesus describes Himself to the church at Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:7
…These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens":
a. These things says He who is holy, He who is true: Jesus reminded the church in Philadelphia that He was holy and true. These do not describe "tendencies" within Jesus, but His very being. They also show that Jesus is Yahweh, because He alone is holy in an absolute sense.
b. There are two ancient Greek words that we might translate true. One means "true and not false." The other means "true and not fake." The ancient Greek word used here for true (alethinos) is the second, with the idea of "real" or "genuine." Jesus is true in all of who He is; He is the real God and the real man.
c. “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:
Jesus showed He is also the keeper of the keys and doors. In this quotation from Isaiah 22:20-23, Jesus expressed His power and authority, especially to admit and exclude.
3. What Jesus knows about the church of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:8
I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
a. “I know your works”: Jesus said this to each of the seven churches. The church at Philadelphia had served God well in difficult circumstances, and Jesus knew it.
b. “I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it”: The church in Philadelphia had an open door set before them. Often, an open door speaks of evangelistic opportunity (1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, and Colossians 4:3). Jesus told them He had opened the door of evangelistic opportunity, and they must go through that door in faith.
i. In its history, Philadelphia had a great "evangelistic" calling. The city had the mission of spreading Greek culture and language through the whole region. Now Jesus opened the door for the Christians of Philadelphia to spread the culture of His kingdom through the whole region.
ii. Jesus told them to see that they had this open door. Sometimes God sets an open door of evangelistic opportunity in front of us, but we don't see it
iii. Once we see the open door, we then have to walk through it. God wants us to take every evangelistic opportunity that He gives us.
c. “And no one can shut it”: The emphasis is on unhindered openness. There is nothing that can keep them from their access to this door. Since Jesus is He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens (Revelation 3:7), He had the authority to keep this door open for the Christians in Philadelphia.
i. "David could shut or open the kingdom of Israel to whom he pleased. He was not bound to leave the kingdom even to his eldest son. He could choose whom he pleased to succeed him. The kingdom of the Gospel, and the kingdom of heaven, are at the disposal of Christ." (Clarke)
iii. Because Jesus has opened the door, He gets the glory for it. "Neither wealth or influence, neither promotional schemes nor the eloquence of its pulpit, nor the harmonies of its musicians can give it an effective ministry. The Lord alone has opened the door; the Lord alone 'giveth the increase.' " (H. Morris)
d. “For you have a little strength”: The term a little strength does not imply weakness, but real strength. They were weak enough to be strong in the Lord. We can be "too strong" or "too big" or too sure of ourselves for God to really use us. The church in Philadelphia had the poverty of spirit to know they really needed God's strength.
i. "It is not a matter of great strength, not great ability but great dependability. Samson had great ability but poor dependability. A little strength faithfully used means more than much strength flashily and fitfully used." (Havner)
ii. The Apostle Paul was a great example of this dynamic of weakness and strength. God's strength was made evident in his weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
e. “Have kept My word, and have not denied My name”: The church in Philadelphia was faithful to Jesus and His word. The idea behind have not denied My name is not only that they expressed their allegiance to Jesus, but that they lived in a way that was faithful to the name and character of Jesus.
Some churches that claim great faithfulness to the word of Jesus deny His name - His character. They represent the manner and style of Jesus as something very different from what the Bible shows.
f. Look at the features of the church in Philadelphia:
- Evangelistic opportunity (I have set before you an open door)
- Reliance on God (You have a little strength)
- Faithfulness to Jesus (have kept My word, and have not denied My name)
In some ways, these features seem unspectacular. They should be commonplace among churches. Yet Jesus was completely pleased with this church. He had nothing negative to say to the church at Philadelphia.
g. "The church of Philadelphia is commended for keeping the Word of the Lord and not denying His Name. Success in Christian work is not to be measured by any other standard of achievement. It is not rise in ecclesiastical position. It is not the number of new buildings which have been built through a man's ministry. It is not the crowds that flock to listen to any human voice. All of these things are frequently used as yardsticks of success, but they are earthly and not heavenly measures." (Barnhouse)
4. What Jesus will do for the Christians of Philadelphia.
Revelation 3:9-10
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie; indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
(Refer to page 9 "Synagogue of Satan.")
a. “I will make those of the synagogue of Satan”: Apparently, the Christians in Philadelphia were persecuted by Jewish people (the synagogue). However, these persecuting Jews were Jews in name only (who say they are Jews and are not, but lie). In fact, they had no spiritual connection to Abraham or to the people of faith.
In this, Jesus did not speak against all Jewish people. It would be entirely wrong to speak of the Jewish people as a whole as the synagogue of Satan or those who say they are Jews and are not. Jesus spoke of this specific group of Jewish people in Philadelphia who persecuted the Christians during that period.
b. “I will make them come and worship before your feet”: In this, Jesus promised that He would vindicate His people and make sure that their persecutors recognized they were wrong, and that Jesus and His followers were right. The idea is of vindication before self-righteous "spiritual" persecutors. God promised that the church in Philadelphia would be vindicated before their persecutors.
c. “I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world”: Jesus also promised them protection from the hour of trial coming on the whole world.
Most Bible scholars see this hour of trial as a prophetic reference to the Messianic woes, the Great Tribulation, which precede Jesus' earthly kingdom. Jesus promised to keep these Christians from that hour of trial.
d. “To test those who dwell on the earth”: The test is directed against those who dwell on the earth. This phrase is used nine times in the Book of Revelation, and it speaks of those who are not saved in Jesus. Revelation 17:8 makes the term synonymous with the lost: And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. This test is for unbelievers, not Christians.
i. Those who dwell on the earth "refers not to believers but to unbelievers who are objects of God's wrath" throughout Revelation. (Johnson)
ii. Christians are different. Though we walk on this earth, our dwelling place is in heaven. We have been seated in heavenly places in Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). We do not dwell on the earth, our life is hidden in Jesus (Colossians 3:3).
e. “Keep you from the hour of trial”: Does this imply an escape before the Great Tribulation, or does it promise protection in it?
…iii. However, persevere is in the past tense, showing it is something that the Christians had already done before the hour of trial, which has not yet come upon the world. The promise is a reward for past perseverance, not the equipping to persevere in the future. "As far as the Philadelphian church was concerned, the rapture of the church was presented to them as an imminent hope." (Walvoord)
iv. In addition, the ones tested by this hour of trial are not primarily believers, but those who dwell on the earth - whose home is this earth, who are not citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20).
5. What Jesus wants the church of Philadelphia to do.
Revelation 3:11
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
a. “Behold, I am coming quickly”: First, the church at Philadelphia must remember that Jesus is coming quickly, and they must prepare for His coming.
"The expression 'quickly' is to be understood as something which is sudden and unexpected, not necessarily immediate." (Walvoord)
b. “Hold fast what you have”: The church at Philadelphia must not depart from its solid foundation, as described in Revelation 3:8:
- Evangelistic opportunity (I have set before you an open door)
- Reliance on God (You have a little strength)
- Faithfulness to Jesus (have kept My word, and have not denied My name)
These things can and must continue among the church in Philadelphia, but it will only happen as they hold fast what they have.
c. “That no one may take your crown”: If they failed to hold fast, their crown might be given to another. The idea is not that it might be stolen by another, but given.
This was not a crown of royalty, given because of royal birth. This was a crown of victory. Jesus encouraged His saints to finish their course with victory,..
6. A promise of reward.
Revelation 3:12
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
a. “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar”: Overcomers were told that they would be as a pillar in the temple of My God. Pillars were pictures of strength, stability, and dignified beauty.
i. The ancient city of Philadelphia suffered from frequent earthquakes. When a building collapsed in an earthquake often all that remained standing were the huge pillars. Jesus offers us this same strength, to remain standing in Him when everything around us crumbles.
ii. The pillar holds up the building. The only thing supporting the pillar is the foundation. True pillars in the church support the church, and they look to Jesus as their support foundation.
b. “He shall go out no more”: The overcomer would have a place of permanence and stability with God, in contrast to an uncertain place in this world.
"The citizens of Philadelphia lived an unsettled and tremulous life. Whenever the earthquake tremors came, and they came often, the people of Philadelphia fled from the city out into the open country, to escape the falling masonry and the flying stones which accompanied a severe earthquake shock. Then, when the earth was quiet again, they returned. In their fear the people of Philadelphia were always going out and coming in; they were always fleeing from the city and then returning to it." (Barclay)
c. “I will write on him the name of My God . . . I will write on him My new name”: The overcomer also received many names - of God, the New Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus. These names are marks of identification because they show who we belong to. They are marks of intimacy, because they show we are privileged to know Him in ways others are not.
This works together well with the image of a pillar. In the ancient world, having a special inscribed pillar added to one of the temples sometimes honored a faithful city servant or distinguished priest. "Philadelphia honored its illustrious sons by putting their names on the pillars of its temples, so that all who came to worship might see and remember." (Barclay)
7. A general exhortation to all who will hear.
Revelation 3:13
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
“He who has an ear, let him hear”: We all want to hear the praise and encouragement Jesus gave to the church at Philadelphia. If we will be like this church, we must stay on their foundation, which was Jesus' name and Jesus' word. We must also depend on their source of strength which was Jesus, not themselves.
End of Guzik Commentary Study
Jesus knows their deeds and have placed before you an open door that no one can shut even though they had little strength they kept His word and had not denied His Name.
They had been persecuted by those who claimed to be Jews but were of the synagogue of Satan and were liars. Jesus would cause them to recognize the church and acknowledge the true "Israel of God" and bow down to Christ at their feet and acknowledge that God had loved them.
Through trials to come they would be kept by the Power of Christ. They would be kept safe. They should hold on to what they have so that no one would take their crown.
Each church has its own responsibility; each individual has his own task and his own talents. Each one must be faithful. Otherwise the opportunity will be lost and the privilege seized by one more alert; and the prize for loyalty may be forfeited and another may win the crown.
The promise to the over comer, as in each of the seven letters, is addressed to the individual members of the church. It is an assurance of permanent incorporation in the temple of God, the temple which is "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief corner stone":
Each pillar is to be inscribed with three new names. These are signs and seals of immortal blessedness.
Revelation 3:12
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
"I will write on them the name of my God"
(Indicating a complete consecration to the service of God)
“… and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God”
(denoting an inalienable citizenship in the celestial city)
“… and I will also write on them My new name.”
(a symbol of the fuller knowledge of Christ which will be revealed at his coming when we shall see him even as he is).
Click to Go To the Church of Laodicia
Click to go back to the index
