A "Weak" Church that Stays Faithful/who is Strong

Because faithfulness means more, keep Christ’s word.

Notice the One who is writing to the church. Typically, descriptions that were introduced in the beginning of Revelation are used, but there is something significant about how Jesus describes Himself here:

As the Holy One — a divine title for God used in Isa.40:25; 43:15; and Hab.3:3). Several more times it is connected with “of Israel.”

He is described as the One who has the key of David. This references Isa.22:22 (“And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.”)

Here, Eliakim was to become the chief steward of Hezekiah’s house.

As chief steward, he was responsible for granting access to the king…you didn’t get in unless he opened the door.

It foreshadows the Messiah, Christ, in that Jesus is the One who grants access to the kingdom.

For Philly, this was a particularly comforting word, because they’d likely been exiled from the synagogue (it’s described in vs.9 as the synagogue of Satan.) Even if they were kicked out of the synagogue, they were a part of something even greater.

For us, it serves as a reminder that there is NO OTHER WAY by which we can be saved.

Then, like Smyrna, and certainly in contrast to last week’s church, Sardis, Jesus moves straight into commendation with no condemnation.

There is an open door set before them…I believe a reference contextually to gospel assurances and access to God. The One who holds the keys has unlocked the door to the kingdom of God and no one is going to be able to close that door for the church! Aren’t you thankful for the certainty of salvation through the assurance of the gospel?!

Then Jesus notes, though you have little power, you’ve remained faithful. This church has little or no worldly influence…they’re lowly. The pastor isn’t being invited to any church growth seminars...

But, they’ve remained faithful. They’ve kept Christ’s word and have not denied His name. (see Mt.10:32-33 “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”)

It’s a reminder that faithfulness means more!

Embrace weakness and ridicule and let the Lord deal with the enemies. This glorifies God!

The is clear opposition to the church. Again, we see that the Jews are persecuting the church. Like Smyrna, their affiliation is actually with Satan, not with God. They claim to be the people of God because their bloodline says so, but Jesus says plainly that they are not. In fact, they’re liars.

Then, He includes the particularly stinging reference to Isa.60:14 “The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” The passage comes a bit full-circle with this reference as “The Holy One of Israel” makes the Gentiles bow and give homage to Israel in the end. Here, the roles are flipped as those who claim to be Jew will bow before the church, many of which are Gentile. Christ ensures the church’s vindication as God often works in order that others will learn that God loves them.

Despite these circumstances, Philly has obeyed the call to stay faithful. So, Christ offers the promise at the end of vs.10: I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world. This verse is one of the most commented on verses of Revelation, so let me do my best to breeze right over it…Jesus could preserved the church through this period of final judgment…or He could take them out of the world and the trial that is coming refers to what is sometimes thought of as seven years of “tribulation”…or there could be a period of testing such as has been the common experience for all believers at all times. Pin me down, and no, I don’t see this as a reference to the church being taken out of the world, though this text is a chair for those who hold that line of thought. What is true is that Jesus protects the church through it, just as He prayed (John 17:15 “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”)

Our ability to enjoy Christ, even in the harshest of circumstances, is perhaps the absolute BEST way to give glory to God.

Anticipate Eternity.

Christ’s soon-coming return should be a source of comfort, not threat of Philly because Jesus will bring rescue. It is also a call to be spiritually prepared for when this event comes. Even though the church has a door that can’t be shut (v.8), they still must remain faithful if they are to not lose their crown. It is yet another reminder to be faithful until the end.

There are seven promises to the church of Philadelphia, by far the most of any church. Remember the significance of the number seven — it equals completion. As with Smyrna, the churches that seem weak according to worldly influence and success are actually the greatest because they are faithful. Their reward is a reflection of their greatness.

God will make Philly a pillar in the temple. It is used in a metaphorical sense to show their importance, much like how apostles were pillars in the NT church. Eventually, the church’s “weakness” will be replaced with significance and prominence, much like the last in the kingdom becoming first and vice-versa. And, their place of privilege will never be taken away…never shall he go out of it.

The identity of the faithful will be cemented by the name. It is a bit crude, but the picture here is similar to the branding of a master. Included in this is the name of the city of…God, pointing to heavenly citizenship (Ps.87:5-6) and the fact that Jesus says believers have my own new name. (Remember Hani — always check the name! So often a new name means a new reality and a spiritual transformation.) They are sealed with the Father’s name on their foreheads in Rev.7:3; 14:1.

The thing that allows the believer to persevere and remain faithful is often to be reminded of future realities.

Faithfulness is the true measure of success.

Have you ever considered if the means by which we measure success in the church are off if not outright sinful?

Pastors are measured on the eloquence and intelligence.

Churches themselves are so often measured against the three B’s: buildings, budgets, and baptisms.

What if we’re off? What if that’s not what God is interested in?