The letter to the church in Philadelphia

Intro

This evening we continue our study in the book of Revelation. We are looking at John’s letter to the church in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia was a city in the province of Asia. Its name means, “brotherly love.” According to one writer, the city was a missionary city. It was a wealthy city, located on a major highway that led from Europe to the East. As one writer said, “it was the gateway from one content to another.” It was known for cultivating grapes and wool working. Its patron deity was Dionysus, god of wine.

The city suffered from numerous earthquakes. Which may explain its low population. It AD 17 a earthquake almost destroyed the city.

The church in Philadelphia was likely a small church with little influence. Like Smyrna, it faced persecution from Jews.

Ignatius’ Letter to the Philadelphians

Ignatius, the bishop of Antioch, wrote a letter to the church at Philadelphia sometime in the late first or early second century AD. Ignatius had visited the church at Philadelphia and, based on his letter’s contents, must have experienced some conflict with those in the church. In the letter, he encourages the church to be unified with their bishop (Ignatius, To the Philadelphians 8.1) and to avoid listening to the Jews who are not Jews

Philadelphia and Smyrna are the only two churches that receive only praise.

Exposition of Revelation 3:7-13.

Revelation 3:7

“to the angel of the church write...” John receives the command to write to the angel (Gk. messenger) of the church in Philadelphia.

“the holy one, the true one.” Divine attributes of Christ.

Revelation 6:10 ESV

10 They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

The title “holy one” is a title used of Yahweh. The word “true” here carries the idea of something that is genuine. That which has not only the name, but the real nature corresponding to the name. The opposite of a counterfeit. The idea is, Jesus’s name reveals that He is the real deal; the real Messiah.

“key of David…” Christ also introduces Himself to the church in Philadelphia as one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. In Rev 1:18, Christ has the keys of Death and Hades see:

Revelation 1:18 ESV

18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Here Christ has the keys of David. The language here recalls Isa 22:22 where the Lord’s servant is identified as Eliakim who has been granted the keys of admission to the house of David. The prophecy of Eliakim is a foreshadow of Christ. Christ who has the keys of David has the authority to admit and exclude from the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 22:22 ESV

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.

Job 12:14 ESV

14 If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open.

Christ gave some of this authority to Peter and the other Apostles see:

Matthew 16:19 ESV

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Summary

Christ is introduced to the church in Philadelphia as one who is holy and true, a reminder to the church in Philadelphia that He possess full deity. He as the keys to the open and close doors, symbolizing His authority as overseer of God’s house. He has the authority to open the kingdom to some and exclude others. The significance of which will appear later.

Revelation 3:8

“I know your works...” Christ once again shows that He has sufficient knowledge of His church and what’s going on. He knows their works. They have, “little power.” Meaning, not only do they have little strength, but are a small church with very little influence.

Despite its small size, spiritual power flowed in the Philadelphia church.

John F. MacArthur

“kept my word…denied my name” The church in Philadelphia was a church that kept Christ word and did not deny His name. As a result, Christ sets before them an “open door.” Some believe this means an entrance into Christ heavenly kingdom (see Rev. 4:1). However, Paul uses this expression in regards to an opportunity for effective ministry. Consider the following passages:

Acts 14:27 ESV

27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

1 Corinthians 16:9 ESV

9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

2 Corinthians 2:12 ESV

12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord,

Summary

The church in Philadelphia was a small church with little influence that persevered, not denying Christ name. Because of their faithfulness, Christ sets before them an open door for effective evangelism. Christ is sovereign over their ministry efforts and the results thereof. He is about to open a door for effective ministry that their enemies will not be able to hinder. This way they depend upon Him and He gets all of the glory.

Revelation 3:9

“synagogue of Satan...” Like the church in Smyrna, the church in Philadelphia has encountered persecution from those claiming to be Jews. They are referenced as the “synagogue of Satan” because they are NOT true Israel. A true Jew is not one outwardly. A true Jew is one inwardly. (see Rom. 2:28-29).

Revelation 2:9 ESV

9 “ ‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

Note: Ignatius’ Letter to the Philadelphians

Ignatius, the bishop of Antioch, wrote a letter to the church at Philadelphia sometime in the late first or early second century AD. Ignatius had visited the church at Philadelphia and, based on his letter’s contents, must have experienced some conflict with those in the church. In the letter, he encourages the church to be unified with their bishop (Ignatius, To the Philadelphians 8.1) and to avoid listening to the Jews who are not Jews

“bow down...” (lit. worship). Not that they will worship the church. The conversion of the Jews is likely meant here. Smyrna receives the promise that they will be preserved from the fake Jews. Here, Philadelphia are given an open door for effective witness to the Jews.

The allusion here is to Isaiah 45:14; 60:14. There Isaiah prophecies the Gentiles will come and bow down before Israel and this will represent a genuine turning to and worship of the true God.

Isaiah 45:14 ESV

14 Thus says the Lord: “The wealth of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush, and the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you and be yours; they shall follow you; they shall come over in chains and bow down to you. They will plead with you, saying: ‘Surely God is in you, and there is no other, no god besides him.’ ”

Isaiah 60:14 ESV

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.

We see here a reverse order of OT prophetic fulfillment. The “Gentiles” of Isaiah, referring to nonbelievers, are now considered to be the ethnic unbelieving Jews, whereas Isaiah’s “Israel”, referring to God’s faithful covenant people, is now the church.

“that I have loved you.” in the OT God freely chose to set His love upon national Israel

Deuteronomy 7:6–8 ESV

6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

here, John take an OT promise that once applied to Israel and reinterprets it as fulfilled to the church. Demonstrating to us that the true Israel is the church which consist of elect Jew and Gentile.

Isaiah 43:4 ESV

4 Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.

Summary

The church in Philadelphia persevered and did not deny faith in Christ despite opposition from the Jews. As a result, they will be given the opportunity for effective witness from Christ to bring their opponents (ethnic Jews) to the obedience of faith.

Revelation 3:10

“hour of trial...whole world.” This should not be taken as meaning all without exception. The word “world” is sometimes used as describing events transpiring locally. Therefore, Christ may be referring to a more local “testing.” Consider the following passages:

Luke 2:1 ESV

1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.

Acts 11:28 ESV

28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).

If this is to be taken literally, then Christ could be referring to great end-time tribulation that began with His first advent and will intensify before His second advent. The end-time tribulation consist of the entire church age.

“keep you...” The futurist think this verse teaches a physical rapture prior to “Great tribulation.” Here are a few reasons to consider why this should be rejected:

The scriptures never promise immunity from suffering. Scripture depicts Christians undergoing tribulation and persecution up until Christ second advent. In Jn 16:33 Christ warns of certain tribulation but promises peace. John 16:33 “33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.””

Paul also warns Christians they are going to suffer Romans 8:18 “18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” 1 Thessalonians 3:1–3 “1 Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, 3 that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.”

“keep” doesn’t necessarily imply a removal from the world. Christ uses the same word “keep” in is high priestly prayer when He asked the Father not to remove His followers from the world, but to keep them from the evil one. see John 17:15 “15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”

That John has in mind spiritual protection of Christians as they go through tribulation may be evident from the likely allusion to Daniel 12:1, 10. There we see that the righteous are purified during “the time of trouble” and the unrighteous keep sinning. see Daniel 12:1 “1 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book.” and Daniel 12:10 “10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.”

This may suggest the “testing” of Rev. 3:10 has the double effect of purifying believers and punishing the wicked.

This assessment is confirmed in Rev. 7:14 where the saints are coming “out of the great tribulation.” Revelation 7:14 “14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

Further evidence that Christians will be protected as they go through the great end-time tribulation Revelation 9:1–4 “1 And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. 2 He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. 3 Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. 4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.” the seal of God on their foreheads.”

“to try those who dwell on the earth.” the purpose of this time of testing is to “try” those who dwell on the earth. This is a phrase used in scripture to refer to unbelievers Rev. 6:10; 8:13.

Summary

Christ promised to protect the church in Philadelphia through the end-time tribulation, which started in the first century and would gradually intensify before Christ second advent.

Revelation 3:11

“ I am coming soon” is a common is a common theme in the book of Revelation. Here, it likely refers to His second coming. Believers are to always be ready for Christ return. The church in Philadelphia are commanded to hold fast to what they have.

“crown of life.” is the victors wreath. a symbolism of eternal life

Revelation 2:10 ESV

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Summary

The church in Philadelphia are commanded to hold fast to what they have. Though a huge door for effective witness has been opened to them, they must remember that Christ is coming soon and promises to reward them with the victors crown.

Revelation 3:12

In this verse, Christ gives four promises to those who overcome:

As in Rev. 2:17, the four promises to those who overcome are four aspects of the one promise; that is eternal union with God and fellowship in His presence.

The name of the city of God is “the LORD is there.” It is the location of the presence and the temple of God.

Ezekiel 48:35 ESV

35 The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.”

This brings us to the fourth element of this promise that Christ will make those who overcome pillars in the temple of my God. Meaning, they will be unmoveable. A possible reference to the earthquake that destroyed the city in AD 17.

Notice too the contrast between the synagogue of Satan and the temple of God. Those who belong to the synagogue of Satan persecute those who truly belong to Christ temple.

In verse 7 Christ is introduced as one with the keys of David. A symbol of His authority to admit and exclude from the kingdom of God. Here He shows them the culmination of that promise.

Christ starts by opening the doors to the faithful here on earth and is consummated when the overcomers enter the gates of the new Jerusalem, which shall never be closed

Revelation 21:25 ESV

25 and its gates will never be shut by day—and there will be no night there.

Revelation 21:2 ESV

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:10 ESV

10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,

Summary

Christ promises those who overcome they will enjoy eternal fellowship with Him in the new Jerusalem.

Revelation 3:13

As always, Christ ends His letter to the church with a call to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches. The word “churches” is plural. A reminder that what is written is for all the churches!

Conclusion/Application

Christ set before the church in Philadelphia an open door for effective ministry due to their perseverance. How does our understanding of Christ opening and shutting doors affect our outlook on ministry? Are we aware of Christ power to bring about His desired results in our evangelism efforts?

We seen that Christ never promised us immunity from suffering and tribulation, yet He promised us peace, and to keep our faith from failing.

The church in Philadelphia was a small church that received nothing but praise. They demonstrate to us that small churches aren’t insignificant in God’s eyes. How does this affect our understanding of the size of the church? Have we placed more significance in numbers rather than the power of Christ?