VII. PHILADELPHIA

Introduction

Revelation 1:9–20 NKJV

9 I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” 12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

Pray

What if I told you just because a place is high up that doesn’t make it fortified?

Background on Philadelphia:

Philadelphia, known today as Alaşehir, stands as one of the oldest cities established in 189 BC by King Eumenes II. Its name, meaning "brotherly love," reflects the deep affection between Eumenes II and his brother, Attalus II. This city became a beacon of Greek culture and language, strategically positioned at the crossroads of Mysia, Lydia, and Phrygia.

As we focus on the church in Philadelphia, let us consider the social implications of its existence.

Social Implications:

This city played a crucial role in spreading Greek culture and language peacefully. By AD 19, the Lydians had embraced Greek customs, a testament to the success of Philadelphia's mission. Now, let us turn our attention to the message addressed specifically to the church in Philadelphia.

Point 1: I KNOW YOUR WORKS

Revelation 3:7–13 NKJV

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

Revelation 3:7–13 records Jesus' words to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. Unlike 5 of the other churches, this one receives no rebuke. Jesus commends their faithfulness, acknowledging their works, their perseverance, and their unwavering commitment to His Word and name.

Point 2: THE KEY AND THE OPEN DOOR

Revelation 3:8 NKJV

8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

Jesus, the One who holds the key of David, opens doors that no one can shut. Despite their limited strength, the Philadelphia church has an open door before them—a divine opportunity. This symbolizes God's favor and the unstoppable nature of His purposes. The key represents the authority and the promise. Now remember, God’s promise is just as powerful as His presence. The key represents the fulfillment of the promise to David

2 Samuel 7:8–16 NKJV

8 Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 9 And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 10 Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, 11 since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord tells you that He will make you a house. 12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

You see, Jesus is the fulfillment of what was spoken of. Let me show you something interesting. We all know the experience on the cross. Did you know it was foretold by David?

Psalm 22:1–30 NKJV

1 My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, And from the words of My groaning? 2 O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; And in the night season, and am not silent. 3 But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel. 4 Our fathers trusted in You; They trusted, and You delivered them. 5 They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed. 6 But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised by the people. 7 All those who see Me ridicule Me; They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, 8 “He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!” 9 But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. 10 I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God. 11 Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help. 12 Many bulls have surrounded Me; Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. 13 They gape at Me with their mouths, Like a raging and roaring lion. 14 I am poured out like water, And all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me. 15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. 16 For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; 17 I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18 They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. 19 But You, O Lord, do not be far from Me; O My Strength, hasten to help Me! 20 Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. 21 Save Me from the lion’s mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. 22 I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. 23 You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! 24 For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from Him; But when He cried to Him, He heard. 25 My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him. 26 The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever! 27 All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the nations Shall worship before You. 28 For the kingdom is the Lord’s, And He rules over the nations. 29 All the prosperous of the earth Shall eat and worship; All those who go down to the dust Shall bow before Him, Even he who cannot keep himself alive. 30 A posterity shall serve Him. It will be recounted of the Lord to the next generation,

This was written almost 1,000 years before Christ was even born.

Matthew 27:39 NKJV

39 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads

mark 15:29

Mark 15:29 NKJV

29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,

Luke 22:63 NKJV

63 Now the men who held Jesus mocked Him and beat Him.

Matthew 27:43 NKJV

43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ”

Matthew 27:38 NKJV

38 Then two robbers were crucified with Him, one on the right and another on the left.

John 19:23 NKJV

23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece.

He is the Christ, and He has came with a promise that even though the fake Synagogues didn’t accept them that He who holds the key of that promise and who is the fulfillment of that promise opens to them a door that no one can shut.

Just like Smyrna who Jesus offered no rebuke of, this church with no rebuke has seen persecution.

The Bible Says:

Matthew 10:22 NKJV

22 And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.

But it says if we endure or HOLD FAST we have the victory.

Point 3: VICTORY

Revelation 3:11–13 NKJV

11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. 13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

In the face of opposition, Jesus promises to protect them from the coming trial, emphasizing the reward for perseverance. Those who overcome will become pillars in the temple of God, bearing the names of God and the New Jerusalem.

Conclusion: THE LESSON IN THREE QUESTIONS

As we conclude, let us ponder three questions derived from the message to the church in Philadelphia:

1. Are our works characterized by faithfulness and perseverance in God's Word?

2. Do we recognize the open doors of opportunity that God presents to us?

3. Are we steadfast in our commitment to overcome challenges and claim the victory promised by Christ?

Altar Call.