And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth. I know thy works (behold, I have set before thee a door opened, which none can shut), that thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name. Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that hour which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. He that overcometh, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out thence no more: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God, and mine own new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches. Revelation 3:7–13

Read More Than Conquerors, pp. 92, 93

A. THE ADDRESS, verse 14a This city was located approximately thirty miles E.S.E. of Sardis. Its church formed a striking contrast with that

Q: Sardis and with that of Laodicea. Not a single bad thing is said about this congregation. In that respect it was like Smyrna.

B. CHRIST’S SELF-DESIGNATION, verse 7 The Lord presents himself here as the One who is holy and true. He will therefore be able to expose the lies of those who say they are Jews but are not (verse 9). He is described as the One who holds the key of David, etc. When he opens none can shut; when he shuts none can open (Is. 22:22; cf. Matt. 16:19). For the church of Philadelphia he has opened the door of gospel-opportunity, as verse 8 states in so many words.

C. COMMENDATION OR PRAISE, verse 8

Christ knows that although this church had but little power, did not include in its membership people of great worldly fame, vast riches, or a high degree of culture, and was small in numbers, it had been loyal to his Word, and in spite of being persecuted had not denied his name. Eagerly it had seized its “open door,” that is, its opportunity to proclaim the message of salvation, which had been blessed by the operation of God’s Spirit in the hearts of the hearers.

D. EXHORTATION, verses 11, 13

The reason why this church had been so successful was that it had received from the Lord the crown of everlasting life, a gift which the true children of God receive in principle even here and now. That life implies peace, rejoicing. assurance of salvation, eagerness to testify, etc. Let Philadelphia then hold fast this wreath by exerting itself to the utmost in the work of the Lord.

The other exhortation, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches,” has been discussed earlier. To what has been said on this I now wish to add the following: How wonderful must have been the experience of this little band of Christians when, perhaps gathered for worship on this or that Lord’s Day, the lector read this letter to them, a letter containing naught but praise, promise, and encouragement! Suppose this great Church Visitor should visit your church, would he be able to say the same things which he said to the church of Philadelphia? And if not, would that be, at least in part, your fault? This is an excellent point for discussion. Yes,and for self-examination!

E. THE FOURFOLD PROMISE, verses 9, 10, and 12

1. Over the Jews this church will gain the most wonder· ful victory of all (verse 9). Why do I can it that?

2. It will be kept safe through the hour of trial. This is here represented as a reward for faithfulness (verse 10).

3. With respect both to their security and their beauty these loyal members will be like earthquake-proof pillars (verse 12a).

4. Christ will write upon them the name of his God, and the name of the city of his God, and his own new name (verse 12b).

                 

Questions

1. Why was the city in which this church was located called Philadelphia?

2. In connection with verse 8, “a door opened which none can shut,” how do you explain the fact that, after all, Satan seems to be rather successful in shutting doors (for example, in China, etc.)?

3. In connection with verse 9, what can we do to make the world discover that “he [Christ] has loved us”?

4. In connection with verse 10, does this refer to a trial in the days of the early church (first or second century A.D.) Of to the Great Tribulation just before Christ’s second coming?

5. In connection with verse 11, how could Christ say to the church of Philadelphia, “I come quickly,” since even now he has not yet returned?

6. Why, in verse 12, were these words added, “And he shall go out thence no more”?

7. What is meant by, “I write upon him...my new name”?