THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF ASIA #6
Rev. 3:7-13 - Philadelphia (The Church of the Open Door)
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. The word "Philadelphia" is a Greek word which is compounded
from two words, "philo" (love), and "adelphos" (brothers or
brethren); thus, "love as brethren" or "brotherly love."
1. There are several verses in the N.T. which use this word;
e.g., 1 Pet. 3:8 - "love as brothers."
B. "The city of Philadelphia was founded around 190 B.C. by
Attalus II, king of Pergamos. His unusual devotion to his
brother earned the city its name, 'brotherly love.'" (From The
MacArthur Study Bible).
C. As we will see, the church in Philadelphia was a strong one.
1. The Lord gave no rebuke or warning to this church. He only
gave commendation and exhortation.
I. DESIGNATION.
A. Jesus in this epistle introduces Himself as:
1. He who is holy.
a. The word "holy" means "separate, set apart;
characterized by perfection and purity." Heb. 7:26
2. He who is true. Jesus is steadfast, dependable, genuine,
and real. John 14:6
a. Jesus is the "true light." John 1:9
b. "The true bread." John 6:32
c. "The true vine." John 15:1
d. "The true God." 1 John 5:20
e. "The faithful and true witness." Rev. 3:14
3. He who has the key of David.
a. This was prophesied of the Messiah. Isa. 22:22
b. "Keys" bear the idea of opening, shutting, locking.
4. He opens and none shuts, and shuts and none opens.
a. Christ alone has the absolute supreme authority over
admission into the kingdom both on earth and in heaven.
II. COMMENDATION.
A. Jesus praises the church in Philadelphia for the following:
1. "A little strength." ("power" ASV).
a. Although they were not as strong and zealous as He
wanted, He did see evidences of spiritual life.
2. "Kept My word." (Vs. 8).
a. This refers to their faithfulness and fidelity to truth,
not compromising with error.
3. "Kept My command to persevere." (Vs. 10). "Thou hast
kept the word of my patience." (KJV).
a. They had followed and upheld the gospel in spite of
great opposition.
b. They had endurance such as Christ had, and patience as
manifested by Him.
4. "Not denied My name."
a. As we noted in our earlier studies, those of the
synagogue of Satan would often bring accuse Christians
before the heathen magistrates.
b. However, in all of this the brethren in Philadelphia had
not renounced the name of Christ.
III. REWARDS.
A. As a result of their faithfulness, Christ would give them the
following blessings:
1. An open door. Vs. 8
a. He would provide opportunities to preach to willing
listeners. 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3; Acts 14:27; 2 Thess.
3:1
2. Enemies exposed and punished. Vs. 9
a. He would in some way make the persecuting Jews
realize that the Christians were the ones He actually
loved. See also Isa. 49:23; 60:14
3. They would be kept from the hour of trial. Vs. 10
a. There are two possibilities here:
(1) He either meant He would free them from the
period of great tribulation which would try all
Christians. Rev. 6:9-11; 7:13-14
(2) Or, He would keep them from the great judgments
described in the rest of the book which were to
come upon all the world to try non-Christians.
Rev. 8:13; 9:20-21
b. The latter seems to be the one to which He was
referring because it was the one that would come upon
"all the world" as shown in the verse.
IV. EXHORTATION.
A. "Behold, I come quickly." Again, there are two possibilities
here:
1. It perhaps refers to His second coming.
a. Every generation is to consider His coming as near (as
though it could happen in their own lifetime). James
5:7-9; 1 Pet. 4:7; Rev. 22:20
2. It perhaps refers to His coming in judgment and retribution
(e.g., by the plagues in this book).
B. They were to hold fast what they had, lest someone rob them of
their reward. Col. 2:18-19; 2 Pet. 3:17-18
1. We must beware of any other mediums of guidance other
than the word of God. 1 Chron. 10:13
2. There are several passages which refer to the "crown," which
will be given to the faithful. 1 Cor. 9:25; 2 Tim. 4:8;
James 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4.
V. PROMISE.
A. "I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God."
1. This gives the idea of a permanent blessing.
B. "He shall go out no more."
1. He will have no reason to go out, and he will not be forced
out.
C. "And I will write on him..."
1. "The name of My God."
a. This signifies identity and divine recognition.
2. "The name of the city of My God."
a. This refers to the new Jerusalem. Rev. 21:1-2,10
3. "My new name."
a. He will wear Christ's own new name. Rev. 19:12
b. He will be identified to share in the glory of Christ.
Col. 3:4; 1 John 3:2
D. Thus, these inscriptions upon the one who overcomes identifies
him as belonging to God, to the new city, and to Christ the
Redeemer.
Concl.
A. Lessons to be learned from this short epistle.
1. Let us strive to overcome that God might write His own new
name on us, and that we might be a pillar in the temple of
God, the new Jerusalem.
2. Let us always be ready and waiting for the Lord's coming.
3. Let us keep the Lord's commandment to persevere.
4. Let us not let problems or hardships discourage us.
5. Let us have more than just a little strength, always keeping
the word of the Lord, and never denying His name under any
circumstances.
6. Let us pray that the Lord will set before us an open door-
that we might find many willing listeners who will believe
and obey the truth.
7. Let us strive to our very best always be an faithful church
of the Lord as was Philadelphia and many other churches in
that early age.