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7“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
8“ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
9Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
10Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
11I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
12The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’(Revelation 3:7–13 ESV)
Some people dedicate their whole life for only one thing. Someone dedicate their entire life to make the best udon. Somebody dedicate their whole adulthood to fight against climate change. These are all commendable actions, but, as Christians, what should be our missions?
After studying the message to the church in Philadelphia, my conclusion is that, Christians should lead a life of total dedication to God.
- Commendation to the Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7–8)
The Holy One
A noteworthy point is that Jesus Christ identified Himself as the Holy One. Although He is the Holy One, He does not point out any problem about the church in Philadelphia. Strangely, He hasn’t mentioned one single wicked thing about this church.
There are no perfect humans on earth. There isn’t a single perfect Christian around us. Although human imperfection exists on earth, the Lord Jesus doesn’t spend time pointing out the imperfections of the Philadelphian Christians.
If Jesus Christ wrote a letter to me, in which He didn’t point out my mistakes, but He only commended me instead — I would be overjoyed!
The True One
Also, Jesus identified Himself as the True One. In short, Jesus Christ is genuine, authentic, and real.
One striking thing is that, in the midst of all the falsehoods of the world, the Lord Jesus didn’t say a single bad thing against the church in Philadelphia.
The world is full of disinformation and misinformation, and it is getting worse as time goes by. Only Jesus Christ is the Truth. Only He is righteous and speaks truth to humankind.
The Holder of the Key of David
Lord Jesus Is the Spiritual Treasure
Jesus told the church in Philadelphia that He had the key of David. Most likely, this was a reference to Isaiah 22:22. The person who holds the key of the house of David, has access to all the wealth of the king. Does that mean Jesus Christ is the source of spiritual treasure?
Dear friends, what is treasure to you?
Dear believers in Christ, what do you treasure most now?
God has given the world His only Son. His gift of Jesus Christ as Saviour to us is the most precious treasure that we can find on earth.
If you were still a non-believer, I encourage you to commit your entire self to Jesus now. Then, you would understand what I mean.
Believers in Christ, the Lord Jesus is the most precious person that we can know of in this world. Let’s rededicate ourselves to Him once more.
Lord Jesus Is the Omnipotent Doorkeeper
The usage of words in verse 7 and 8 indicate that Jesus Christ is the doorkeeper. Thus, He is able to admit people to God’s Kingdom. Because of their relationship with the doorkeeper, the Philadelphian Christians could enter the presence of God.
Back in the early days of Christianity, the Christian faith is still seen as a Jewish sect, and most Jewish Christians still worship at synagogues. In all likelihood, the Jews in the city of Philadelphia expelled Jewish Christians from the synagogue. For that reason, Jesus ensures Christians access to His presence. And as for the unbelieving Jews, He shut them out, and no one could reverse His decision. In a nutshell, Jesus Christ is omnipotent. He is in control of everything. it is comforting to know that the Lord Jesus is the omnipotent doorkeeper to God’s Kingdom.
There are so many religions in the world. Who can really lead us to God and heaven? Many religious founders state they could. However, according to the revelation of the Bible, Jesus Christ is the only door to God and heaven.
The Omniscient One
In verse 7 to 8, the Lord commends the Philadelphian church. In verse 9, the Lord Jesus vindicates for the church in Philadelphia.
Jesus Christ knows the church in Philadelphia very well. He knows that they have little strength, and yet they have kept His word and have not denied His name. For this reason, He doesn’t rebuke them at all.
The church in Philadelphia is a small congregation. Although she is small in size and not as influential as the larger local churches, she tried very hard to live out the Christian faith.
The Lord Jesus knows the congregation in Philadelphia very well. He knows the Philadelphian believers have little resources but they have tried their best to keep His word and haven’t denied His name.
Many people hide themselves away. Numerous people would not let others to know their real selves. Jesus knows us completely. No one can deceive Him. No person can hide from Him.
The Open Door
In verse 8, the Lord Jesus says, “I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” What does open door mean?
Various Bible teachers have offered the following meanings: some scholars think it means missionary opportunity; some interpret it as martyrdom as the door to God; certain scholars see this door is Christ as the door to salvation; and some interpreters regard it as the door to God’s kingdom.
After studying the context of this passage, I advocate the last interpretation. In a nutshell, the church in Philadelphia has the open door to God’s presence and access to the heavenly city.
Countless people attend religious services devoutly, but have they ever thought that they could be in heaven one day?
Christians are not braggers. Believers in Christ are not wishful optimists. We believe we can enter heaven because Jesus says we can. As He is the open door, we can get to heaven through Him.
- Vindication for the Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:9)
Jewish Terms
If you pay attention to the letter to the church in Philadelphia, it isn’t hard for you to find out that Jewish terms are prominent in this short epistle. In this passage, the key of David, synagogue, temple and New Jerusalem appeared successively.
Like many cities in the province of Asia, Philadelphia was under the pressure of the imperial cult and the Jews. Back then, civilians had to worship the Roman emperor and his deities, but only the Jews were exempted from worshipping the Roman emperor. Also, most Jews were still vehemently opposing Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Notably, the Philadelphian Christians were having a hard time with the Jewish synagogue. Jesus openly declared the Philadelphian synagogue the synagogue of Satan.
His Love for the Church in Philadelphia
The Lord Jesus points out the primary source of persecution is the Jews in Philadelphia. Although these Jews had Jewish bloodline, the Lord identified them as the synagogue of Satan. The reason is simply because they vehemently denied Jesus Christ as the Messiah and they also fiercely persecuted others who made this claim.
In the midst of persecution, the Lord Jesus vindicates for the church in Philadelphia. The Lord indicates that the synagogue of Satan will eventually come and bow down before the feet of the Philadelphian Christians. Bowing down before their feet was the acknowledgment that they were God’s elect. Also, it means the synagogue of Satan would be eventually humbled and defeated. It was His vindication for His followers and it was also a way to manifest His deep Love for them.
Perhaps, you are in the middle of some difficulties, and you might even doubt if God loves you or not. Let me assure you that Jesus Christ loves you very much.
Maybe someone is treating you harshly because you are a Christian, thus you might doubt if Christ loves you at all. Let me remind you that He loves us very much. It is not a Christian concept but a fact.
Vindication for the Church in Philadelphia
The Jews in Philadelphia were giving the Christians a hard time. They might have kicked some of the Jewish Christians out of the synagogue and might have blasphemed against them. The rhetoric that Jesus Christ used here was a vindication for the church in Philadelphia.
In human history, many Christians have been falsely accused of something, and many have been wrongfully treated by others. Let me remind you one thing: in God’s own time, He will vindicate for His children.
- Encouragement for the Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:10–12)
10Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
11I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
12The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. (Revelation 3:10–12 ESV)
The Promise of Keeping the Church from the Hour of Trial
The Lord Jesus encourages the suffering Christians by giving them several promises. The first one is to keep them from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world.
So, what is the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world mean? Based on my study so far, there are at least three schools of thought:
Unspecified Kind of Trial
The first school of thought indicates there is not enough textual evidence to support either a worldwide trial or the Great Tribulation. Thus, the hour of trial is an unspecified kind of trial.
Worldwide Trial
The second school of scholars indicate that the nature of the hour of trial is unclear. It might be overt persecution, subtle attack, physical sickness, natural calamity, or catastrophe of some other nature. In other words, the hour of trial can be a characteristic feature in those days.
The Great Tribulation
Based on the context of this message, it is very likely that the hour of trial is about the future seven years of tribulation. Some Bible scholars believe Christians have to undergo the Great Tribulation, but God will protect them amid the testing. The third school of scholars believe the hour of trial is the Great Tribulation.
According to what I believe, Christians will be raptured before the Great Tribulation. The most horrendous calamity of seven years in human history will surely come at some point in time, and all living Christians on earth will be caught up to heaven.
Dear believers in Christ, are you sure of your salvation, are you certain that you will be raptured at the appearance of Jesus Christ?
The Promise of His Coming
One of the prominent themes of Revelation is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Most likely, the coming of the Lord Jesus here is His second advent. It is a day of privilege and honour for believers.
Dear Christians, let’s encourage one another, by reminding others that Jesus Christ will come and set up His eternal kingdom.
The Encouragement of Holding Fast to What They Have
11I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. (Revelation 3:11 ESV)
The Philadelphian believers have gone through tough times, and they are still undergoing persecutions by the Roman imperial cultists and Jewish kinsmen. It is extremely hard for the small congregation in Philadelphia to endure. Amid these hard times, Jesus Christ encourages them to hold fast what they have, so that no one may seize their crown.
The Philadelphian believers had been faithful and loyal to Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus knew they were faithful and He commanded them to continue so. Believers who persevere to the end is a good indication of the genuineness of their salvation.
As for the faithful Christians, neither Satan nor humans could rob them of their crown by diverting them from exclusive loyalty to Lord Jesus.
The Promise of Making Them as a Pillar in God’s Temple
12The 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. (Revelation 3:12 NIV)
In this short letter to the church in Philadelphia, Jesus Christ has made a few promises to these believers.
As for the conquerors in Christ, the Lord promises that He will make them pillars in God’s temple. So, what does pillar mean in this passage?
In the Jewish temple, The pillars in the Jewish temple were more ornamental. Its main structure and roof are held up with solid walls. However, in Greek and Roman temples, the outer ring of pillars often hold the whole building together. As you can see, a pillar is a symbol of stability, permanence, and immovability. Additionally, pagans use pillars with special carvings to honour their deities. Thus, we can surmise that faithful Christians would have an eternal place of honour in heaven. Earthquakes can topple any temple on earth, but no one can knock down God’s eternal temple. The symbolism of being a pillar in the temple means faithful believers are secure in heaven.
Humans think diamonds are forever. They suppose these gems have long-lasting value. In God’s eyes, all earthly things will last for a while, and they don’t have eternal value.
Dear friends, what are seeking in life, are you still accumulating your first bucket of gold? Riches and honour are only temporal. Don’t spend your life accumulating earthly wealth and fame. Please consider to be a Christian, as believers in Christ will only have an eternal place in God’s kingdom.
The Promise of Writing on Them God’s Name
The inscribing of God’s name on believers is another promise that Jesus Christ made to the church in Philadelphia. God’s names reflect His character. Also, His name engraved on Christians are the identification and publication of His ownership. Isn’t wonderful that Christians belong to God forever?
The Promise of Writing on Them God’s City’s Name
Not only the Lord Jesus will write God’s name on the believers, but He will also inscribe the name of God’s city on them.
Every Jew takes great pride in the city of Jerusalem. As Christians, we all look forward to the new Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem is the capital city of heaven. The inscription of Christians means eternal citizenship.Christians means eternal citizenship.
Being a Canadian citizen is a privilege and honour that I treasure. However, I treasure most the heavenly citizenship that I obtained through the redemption of Jesus Christ.
The Promise of Writing on Them God’s New Name
The last promise was about the inscription of Jesus’ new name on believers. What does the new name of Christ signify?
Bible scholars have offered many interpretations on the inscription of Jesus’ new name on believers. One scholar gives a possible explanation that the new name refers to the new state of affairs brought about by the consummation of redemption. Could it mean that the Lord Jesus would enter a completely new relationship with believers? Possibly! The new name of Lord Jesus signifies a new revelation. As to me, the new name of Jesus means new grace and new experience, which is completely new.
Believers in Christ, we will all meet Jesus Christ face to face one day. It is an exciting day for all of us. We will get to know Him more that day.
- Reminder to all the Churches (Revelation 3:13)
The Lord Jesus closes the epistle by saying, 13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’(Revelation 3:7–13 ESV)
The Saviour wants to speak to the church in Philadelphia. He wants to vindicate for them. He also wants to encourage them by granting them several promises. Not only the promises of Lord Jesus apply to the Philadelphian believers, but His words are also applicable to all of the hearers.
The church in Philadelphia is a congregation of total dedication to God and Jesus Christ. As Christians, we have many missions in life, and one of them is total dedication to God and His service.
Kenneth Thumb Ministry 譚約珥事工 