History
This is the youngest of the seven churches. It was built in 189 B.C. By the king of Pergamos. The area is highly volcanic and it suffered repeatedly from earthquakes. It’s name was changed to Neo-Caesarea, then Flavia, then back to Philadelphia. It housed a large Jewish community. It was through these Jews that the church suffered greatly.
Verse 7
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;”
Title of Jesus
The name Philadelphia means ‘brotherly love’. The titles used here for Jesus are holy and true.
Holy is used throughout Scripture, one noticeable time is in Isaiah 6;3 when the Seraphim say “Holy, Holy, Holy”, signifying the Trinity. The word means real, genuine, in contrast to false.
He is also referred to as having the “key of David”. We find the same words in Isaiah 22;19-24. King Hezekiah had his treasurer replaced by Eliakim, verse 22 means that he has full administrative authority. Eliakim carried a heavy key over his shoulder as a symbol of his authority to have access to the king. Without his say, no one could go into the presence of the king. Likewise Jesus alone can grant us access into the presence of God the Father.
Good News
Verse 8-10
“I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
There are seven good things said here about Philadelphia
1) I know thy works
2) I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it
3) Thou hast a little strength
4) Hast kept my word
5) Not denied my name
6) I will make them to come and worship before thy feet
7) Thou hast kept the word of my patience
In the second good thing, in the list, we see that there is an open door leaving the opportunity for Salvation and a constant witness.
In the sixth one the Jews were the main trouble for the early church, they caused trouble for them at every opportunity. They denied Jesus being the Son of God, and kept to their legal ceremonies and thought of themselves as above others.
And in the last good news mentioned, Jesus makes a promise to the church - “Word of His patience”. See 2 Thess 3;5. Jesus is waiting for His return and for the new earth.
Criticism
None. This is the second church that had no criticism said against it.
Exhortation
Verse 11
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.”
Jesus will return as promised in John 14;3
Quickly- suddenly, unexpectedly, in an instant.
Thy crown- We have crowns led aside for us, for when we enter Heaven. Traditionally there
are 5 of them, but there may be more. All our based on our faith and our work and perseverance for Him.
Hold fast - Don’t let anyone or thing rob you of these crowns. Esau lost his place to Jacob,
Saul lost his place to David, Shebna to Elaikim, etc.
Promise to the Overcomer
Verse 12
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
1 Kings 1;15-22 tells us of two pillars in the temple that didn’t hold anything. They were named:-
Jachin - ‘He shall establish’
Boaz - ‘In him is strength’
Those that are God’s have a name on them - “mark on them”
There is a new city coming - “New Jerusalem”- after the earth is destroyed. He is also to have a new name.
Phrase
Verse 13
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”
Comments