Philadelphia: A "Weak" Church that Stays Faithful

Faithfulness Means More.

V.7

Philadelphia and Smyrna are the only two churches with no rebuke. Both churches faced harsh threat from the Jewish population in their town. There is not much known about this Jewish group prior to Revelation, but a few decades after Rev., Ignatius warns the church of the Judaizers in Philly. Holy One is a divine title used in the OT (Isa.40:25; 43:15; Hab.3:3). Several more references attach “of Israel” to this title in the OT. Holiness in general points to being set apart and “other,” the chief aspect of God’s characteristic. YHWH is completely other, not like His creation. Here it is attached to Messianic terms, pointing to the fact that Jesus is the true Messiah, an important truth amid Jewish opposition to the church. The reference to the key of David connects with Isa.22:22 where Eliakim was to become the chief steward of Hezekiah’s house, essentially giving him the responsibility of granting access to the king. Eliakim’s role is a foretaste of the Messiah, the one who gives access to the kingdom of God. If the believers in Philly had been excommunicated from the synagogue, fear not, for the Messiah has the key of David, granting access to the kingdom and sitting on the throne of David.

V.8

While open door could refer to missionary opportunities, contextually it seems more tied to gospel assurances and access to God. The church has remained faithful despite having little power (being weak humanly speaking). Their weakness reflects on their lowly status in the midst of a pagan environment, likely including little to no general influence in their culture (which is not a statement about their gospel witness and service having no spiritual impact). Despite their situation, they have kept Christ’s word, guarding the truth of the gospel and obeying it. Further, they have not denied His name (see Rev.3:5; Mt.10:32-33), but have stayed faithful.

V.9

The synagogue of Satan mimics earlier language from Rev.2:9 (see comment: “Though these Jews claimed to be the people of God, Jesus says they are actually members of the synagogue of Satan. Satan means adversary, and while for the first portion of the church’s history saw a close identification of the church with Judaism, persecution led many Jews to turn on Christians and join in the accusations. Their opposition to the church, and by extension God, proves them to be an adversary…of Satan.”) The Jews in Philly, much like in Smyrna, were Jewish by bloodline only. Their opposition to Christ’s followers prove them to be of Satan (which means adversary). It’s important to remember this fact which underscores that one’s position toward Christ is what’s most important. True Judaism is inward, a matter of the heart according to Rom.2:28-29. Jesus will make the Jews of Philly bow down before the church, invoking language from Isa.60:14. 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. Passages like Ps.59:13; 83:18; Isa.41:20; 37:20; Ezk.12:15; 20:20 all express similar ideas that God will cause others to know or learn. Isa.43:3-4 tells of God victory over the nations in order to ransom the people of God because of His love for them, and the victory motif is in play in light of the fact that the will bow down before the church.

Embrace Weakness and Ridicule if it Glorifies God.

V.10

Philly has obeyed the call to stay faithful despite their circumstances. The ESV translates kept my word, but many attach “my” to endurance, which would indicate that they’ve followed Christ’s example of suffering. In the Greek, “my” actually comes AFTER endurance and would naturally read “the suffering of me.” Regardless of the particular understanding, the point remains the same — Philly has exhibited patient endurance, a common command to the churches in Revelation. The latter part of vs.10 is typically commented on at length and is a bit of a chair text for those in the dispensational camp. Here, the discussion tends to center on the fact that Jesus will keep believers from tribulation.

The Greek word is ek and can be translated “out of.” Many then take this as a reference to the church being raptured “out of” the world before the hour of trial. Against this understanding, however, is that this particular passage is not about the rapture. Rather, Christ offers the church divine protection, and God does not need to remove His people from the world in order to protect them. Beale notes Revelation nowhere promises the believers exclusion from physical suffering, so the idea seems to be spiritual preservation. He understands this as a promise that God will protect His church through the end-time tribulation, not rescue them from it, and he believes that this tribulation has already started (in the 1st century) through the concepts of wars, rumors…etc. It seems that a better understanding of ek is “from,” as all main translations prefer. Jesus says He will try the earth dwellers, testing them to show their true nature. Those who dwell on the earth is an important term used in Revelation (6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8; 17:2, 8) and refers to the lost who are enemies of God. Some see whole world as an indication of a final period of judgment before Christ’s return, or it is what is commonly called the seven years of tribulation, or it is common testings and trials that all believers experience. The universal experience of the event leans toward final judgment before eschaton or “tribulation.”

V.11

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. According to vs.8, Philly has a persevering faith and allegiance to Christ. They must maintain this commitment and hold fast. 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.

Concern Ourselves with Faithfulness more than Success.

V.12

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, denoting their stability and permanence (see Jer.1:18). 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. They are sealed with the Father’s name on their foreheads in Rev.7:3 and 14:1.

V.13

As before, there is a call to listen and obey, not merely hear what is being said. Individuals are called to respond to what is said to the churches. This final call to obedience is a reminder that present spiritual conditions do not necessarily mean future faithfulness. It must be guarded diligently.