(Reflections and notes on Jesus’ words to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. Explore the previous parts of this series.)
There may be trouble ahead, is the start ot a famous old song. Jesus knows full well that for all those who put their trust in Him they can expect trouble ahead. His offering in the middle of that is not dancing, it’s holding on in the knowledge that He will see you through it – better still, He can take you past it. The issue of trouble, persecution and suffering is not popular when sharing the good news and what it is to grow in Christ. Yet, Jesus is straightforward about that being a part of the package of discipleship. Yet Jesus offers something so much more. Reading what Jesus says about the church in Philadelphia gives great reason for hope.
We can explore that through the four-part way in which Jesus introudces Himself. That is followed by the force that’s given to those who have little. This leads into the fierce response Jesus gives to those who oppose His own. There’s the immunity the faithful face and then the bright future in store for the believer. Then as ever we have the conqueror’s promise as a point of focus.
Let’s get a picture of Philadelphia at the time. Just under 30 miles south-east of Sardis. Known as the gateway to spreading the Greek culture to eastern regions. Pillars and the temple were significant landmarks in this city – it was known as Little Athens because of these temples. Prosperous, fertile and healthy though it was, the geographical location meant the city dwellers would suffer regular earthquakes. Pillar upholding the temple that took central importance in the life of the city. It was a sign of great honour to have your association with these centres of social and religious life.
The Four-Part Introduction (vs 7) The four corners of expression of Jesus to this church gives of Himself more than He does to any church – He reveals Himself as the Holy One affirming His deity and supremacy above all deities. By saying He is the True One, Jesus affirms Himself for being the ultimate expression of reality. That’s comething you can depend on as well. As the key holder, Jesus affirms is majestic authority that alone gives access to that which is worth entering and He alone has that authority which means when the access is given no one can stop it and if He blocks access no can open it up again. As He is trustworthy and real when He makes that claim on His authority for access, that’s something to take with the utmost seriousness. That four-part expression to Philadelphia should leave the listeners truly awe-struck at what they’re experiencing. This expression is to be considered by other churches as they hear Jesus talking to them.
The Force for those with Little (vs 8) This manner of introduction from the Holy, True, ultimate access giver is remarkable because He knows He talks to a church that is defined as having little power. Not only does He acknowledge what this church of little power is doing, but He gives them the access to exercise influence that no one can stop. Little power can spread unstoppable. Open door is the aspect of being able to spread the good news to new areas. References in the New Testament with the open door is usual with regard to where the gospel of Kingdom can be spread
He can trust them to do this based on their track record including how they value living by the word of Christ. They value living by it, so they can have the privilege of sharing it. Their value was expressed to the point that when tried to give up on Jesus and refuse to acknowledge Him as Lord, they never denied the name. This gathering were the epitome of patiently waiting and now Jesus would come through for them. Jesus would rather have a small church like Philadelphia than a large church like Sardis. The issue is not about numbers, it’s about the characteristics that define the gathering.
The Fierce Response to the Opponents (vs 9) These words to the church in Philadelphia is all the more remarkable when considered that this small church faced opposition from the Jews in the nearby synagogue. Here is another church like many developed in the early church who were bitterly rejected by the synagogue who clearly rejected the gospel and preferred to promote their brand of truth in an effort to ridicule and shut down. Jesus’ act on behalf of His church says much about His care and concern for those who are real to Him as opposed to those who pursue the falsehoods that oppose the gospel. This synagogue thought they were serving God, but it was the church that were serving the one true god expressed in Jesus Christ who had the authority to be referred to with the same titles as the Most High. This type of vindication is something to consider when the tendency might be to be dismissed, neglected or mistreated because of the stance for truth.
The Faithful Face Immunity (vs 10) The specific keeping faith of this church puts them in a position to be immune from coming trouble. This church has suffered enough. The faithful here can be immune and have something to hope. Their patient endurance gives them some respite in what Jesus informs about a time to come that will truly be testing and tough. Only Philadelphia of the seven churches are given this promise. That is to say that whatever qualities and characteristics other churches may have, Jesus gives this gathering, small and insignificant though they may have been perceived by some, the promise of immunity.
The Future’s Bright for the Faithful (vs 11) Jesus builds on what He’s said previously to go all out and encourage the church in Phladelphia to look to what He promises. The knowledge of what is to come is to motivate present action. The holy and true access-giver – not just giving access to spread the Word about the Kingdom, but give access to the Kingdom itself – He is the one who speaks. He who can be trusted and is true will return. He is not just looking for the church to persevere in the present. He gives a great reason to do so – the goals to aim for and their crown which they can retain in the light of that hope. Look ahead and see why it’s worth holding on. That imagery of the crown again is an invitation to share in rule, to share in authority, to share in the life that Christ exercises forever.
The Focus on the Conqueror’s Promise (vs 12) What does it mean to be a pillar? It guarantees being a fixture. You think about the role of the pillar to the structure and you don’t have to quetion its place there. That is the level of guarantee that Jesus gives. A fixture in something that will last forever. A fixture in something that will not crumble under earthquakes. Not just a fixture, but one that will have the inscription that makrs us out for who we belong to, where we belong and who we are. The conqueror’s promise takes what is lauded and valued in the local picture and establishing a heavenly standard that should evoke greater hope to hold on. Bear in mind this is coming from the Holy and True Access-Giver who can be trusted because He has ultimate authority.
Reading these words to this church should lift the hearts of those in the church who thought that they were barely carrying on. It is far more than consolation. These are faith-building words to see things in a new light – the light of Jesus who sees great value in faithful commitment to truth in Him. Maintaining that in the face of great opposition and expressing that through the door opened truly gives us access to eternal delights and joys in the temple God will establish.
Questions based on the letter to the church in Philadelphia
- What does this letter tell you about the nature of Jesus?
- What does it mean for Jesus to observe a church with ‘little power’?
- How does Jesus encourage His church to endure?
- Where do true followeres of Jesus today face opposition and persecution that might be similar to the synagogues of Satan?
- The open door that Jesus points out – why should that be reason for hope for believers today?
- As Jesus refers to Himself throughout this letter to Philadelphia, how can that shape your faith in Him and His Kingdom today?
- Why should the conqueror take particular hope in what Jesus promises in this letter?
Recommended Sources
David Treybig on Philadelphia as part of the series of seven churches for Life, Hope & Truth
Ray Stedman sermon on The Little Church that Tried
Commentaries on Revelation 3 by Hank Workman and Brad Boyles of The Warehouse blog
Bible Study’s commentary of the letter to Philadelphia in studies on the Seven Churches of Revelation
David McLemore sermon on the Letter to the Church in Philadelphia
J. Hampton Keathley III writes on the Message to Philadelphia for Bible.org
Christopher Frost explores Philadelphia as part of the Seven Messages in Revelation series.
David Pawson teaching on Philadelphia in his series on the Letters of Jesus
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
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