The Letter to theThe Letter to theChurch at PhiladelphiaChurch at Philadelphia

Revelation 3:7-13Revelation 3:7-13

The City of PhiladelphiaThe City of Philadelphia

It derived its name (brotherly love) from It derived its name (brotherly love) from Attalus, king of Pergamum because of his Attalus, king of Pergamum because of his loyalty to his brother Eumenes.loyalty to his brother Eumenes.

It was known for its it grapes and wine. The It was known for its it grapes and wine. The soils were perfect for growing due to the soils were perfect for growing due to the volcanic ash.volcanic ash.

Though it had temples to many gods (it was Though it had temples to many gods (it was known as “little Athens”), its chief deity was known as “little Athens”), its chief deity was Dionysus, god of the vine or wine.Dionysus, god of the vine or wine.

The City of PhiladelphiaThe City of Philadelphia

The city was the last postal stop in that The city was the last postal stop in that region on the way to the east. region on the way to the east.

It was near the border of Lydia to the It was near the border of Lydia to the rugged region of Phrygia. rugged region of Phrygia.

It is attributed with facilitating the spread It is attributed with facilitating the spread of Grecian culture to the barbaric tribes of of Grecian culture to the barbaric tribes of Phrygia.Phrygia.

““As a border city it viewed itself as an As a border city it viewed itself as an ‘open door’ from one culture and country ‘open door’ from one culture and country to another” (Pugh). to another” (Pugh).

The SpeakerThe Speaker3:73:7

““He who is holyHe who is holy”” ““Holy” means to be sanctified or set apart. Holy” means to be sanctified or set apart. Jesus is holy. This is in contrast to the many Jesus is holy. This is in contrast to the many

gods which are represented in the city. gods which are represented in the city. He must be set apart in our lives; we must He must be set apart in our lives; we must

regard Him as holy above all else (Lev. 10:3). regard Him as holy above all else (Lev. 10:3). ““He who is trueHe who is true””

Dependable, genuine, real.Dependable, genuine, real. Faithful (1 John 1:9).Faithful (1 John 1:9).

The SpeakerThe Speaker3:73:7

““He who has the key of DavidHe who has the key of David.”.” Physically He is David’s son, heir to his throne. Physically He is David’s son, heir to his throne. Thus, spiritually, He has the authority of David as king in Thus, spiritually, He has the authority of David as king in

the kingdom of God. the kingdom of God. Having the key, Jesus has the right or authority to open Having the key, Jesus has the right or authority to open

the door. the door. ““He who opens and no one shuts, He who shuts He who opens and no one shuts, He who shuts

and no one opensand no one opens.”.” Language is taken from Isa. 22:22. Language is taken from Isa. 22:22. Playing off of Philadelphia as an “open door”, Christ Playing off of Philadelphia as an “open door”, Christ

shows that He is the One who opens and shuts doors. shows that He is the One who opens and shuts doors. Having the authority He settles a manner and no one Having the authority He settles a manner and no one

can change that.can change that.

What was Right with the What was Right with the ChurchChurch

Vs. 8: “Vs. 8: “I know your worksI know your works”: both their ”: both their efforts and their difficulties. efforts and their difficulties.

““I have set before you an open door and I have set before you an open door and no one shuts itno one shuts it.”.” He is watching over us. He is watching over us. He opens doors for us: opportunities, work, He opens doors for us: opportunities, work,

blessings, etc. blessings, etc. As they have been faithful with great struggle, As they have been faithful with great struggle,

they can take comfort in knowing that the Lord they can take comfort in knowing that the Lord has opened a door for them which no one can has opened a door for them which no one can shut. shut.

What was Right with the What was Right with the ChurchChurch

““You have a little strengthYou have a little strength”” Not spiritual strength, but physical. Not spiritual strength, but physical. Poverty, few members, physical, etc. Poverty, few members, physical, etc.

““You have kept my wordYou have kept my word”” Regardless of physical weaknesses, it is still Regardless of physical weaknesses, it is still

possible for congregations to be faithful to God. possible for congregations to be faithful to God. We do not need physical strength to be faithfulWe do not need physical strength to be faithful

—though the denominations may not agree.—though the denominations may not agree. When we are weak then we are strong because When we are weak then we are strong because

we are forced to put all of our trust in Christ we are forced to put all of our trust in Christ (2 Cor. 12:10). (2 Cor. 12:10).

What was Right with the What was Right with the ChurchChurch

Vs. 8: “Vs. 8: “You have not denied My name.You have not denied My name.”” In spite of being weak physically, they showed In spite of being weak physically, they showed

spiritual strength. spiritual strength. In spite of the pressures all around them they In spite of the pressures all around them they

did not deny Christ, but kept His word. did not deny Christ, but kept His word. Vs. 10: “Vs. 10: “You have kept My commandment You have kept My commandment

to persevereto persevere”: ”: ““Endurance, patience, continuance” (Strong’s). Endurance, patience, continuance” (Strong’s). Such endurance is a command, not an option.Such endurance is a command, not an option. Their struggle was an ongoing one and they Their struggle was an ongoing one and they

did not give up hope, but continued on. did not give up hope, but continued on.

Vindication against EnemiesVindication against Enemies

Vs. 9: “Vs. 9: “The synagogue of SatanThe synagogue of Satan”” Reference also made in 2:9. Reference also made in 2:9. John 16:2: Claim to serve God, but in fact fight John 16:2: Claim to serve God, but in fact fight

against Him; fighting for Satan.against Him; fighting for Satan. Such were the Jews and Judaizers who Such were the Jews and Judaizers who

persecuted those who were faithful to Christ.persecuted those who were faithful to Christ. ““They say they are Jews and are notThey say they are Jews and are not.”.”

True Jews (people of God) are Jews inwardly—True Jews (people of God) are Jews inwardly—living by faith, having their hearts pure, living by faith, having their hearts pure, seeking to please God rather than men (Rom. seeking to please God rather than men (Rom. 2:29). 2:29).

Vindication against EnemiesVindication against Enemies

Vs. 9: “Vs. 9: “I will make them worship before your I will make them worship before your feet.feet.”” Not make the Christians as gods. Not make the Christians as gods. Rather, a humiliation of those who fight against God’s Rather, a humiliation of those who fight against God’s

people (2 Thess. 1:6-8). people (2 Thess. 1:6-8). Their enemies will be humiliated while the faithful will be Their enemies will be humiliated while the faithful will be

glorified. glorified. This is seen in the following statement.This is seen in the following statement.

“ “They will know that I have loved youThey will know that I have loved you.”.” When God’s people are glorified the world will know that When God’s people are glorified the world will know that

God has loved them. God has loved them. Those who persecute God’s people will have no choice Those who persecute God’s people will have no choice

but to give them honor for their true faithfulness to God. but to give them honor for their true faithfulness to God.

ExhortationExhortation

Vs. 11: “Vs. 11: “Hold fast what you haveHold fast what you have”” Though physically they have little, spiritually Though physically they have little, spiritually

they have much. they have much. They are exhorted to hold fast, to continue on. They are exhorted to hold fast, to continue on. They have kept their faith and diligence, they They have kept their faith and diligence, they

must continue on in that manner.must continue on in that manner. Our faithfulness is what results in our crown in Our faithfulness is what results in our crown in

heaven. heaven. We decide whether we give that crown away or We decide whether we give that crown away or

hold fast. hold fast.

Comfort GivenComfort Given

Vs. 10: Hour of testing coming, but Christ Vs. 10: Hour of testing coming, but Christ will protect them. will protect them. They have been passing the test of faithfulness They have been passing the test of faithfulness

over time. over time. Because of their continued faithfulness and Because of their continued faithfulness and

endurance Jesus promises protection in the endurance Jesus promises protection in the “hour of trial.”“hour of trial.”

Notice, divine protection is coupled with Notice, divine protection is coupled with human exertion: i.e., “hold fast.” human exertion: i.e., “hold fast.”

When we are faithful we will have strength in When we are faithful we will have strength in Christ to meet all trials (Phil. 4:13). Christ to meet all trials (Phil. 4:13).

Promised RewardPromised Reward

Vs. 12: “Vs. 12: “I will make Him a pillar in the I will make Him a pillar in the temple of My Godtemple of My God.”.” Pillar represents strength, stability. Pillar represents strength, stability. The church is the temple of God. Those The church is the temple of God. Those

who are faithful are firmly founded, who are faithful are firmly founded, having their place in the house of God. having their place in the house of God.

As pillars, nothing can shake them: “As pillars, nothing can shake them: “He He shall go out no more.shall go out no more.” ”

Promised RewardPromised Reward Vs. 12: Three names written upon him.Vs. 12: Three names written upon him. ““The name of My GodThe name of My God””

If we bear God’s name then we belong to Him (as If we bear God’s name then we belong to Him (as opposed to destruction).opposed to destruction).

God’s seal will be upon our hearts (2 Tim. 2:19).God’s seal will be upon our hearts (2 Tim. 2:19). ““The name of the city of My GodThe name of the city of My God””

If we belong to God then our home is in His city. If we belong to God then our home is in His city. When we bear the name of that city then it is where we When we bear the name of that city then it is where we

belong. belong. ““My new name”: My new name”:

Daniel-Belteshazzar: when taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel-Belteshazzar: when taken by Nebuchadnezzar. Abram-Abraham: When separated to God. Abram-Abraham: When separated to God. In like manner, we will receive our new name from In like manner, we will receive our new name from

Christ, to whom we belong.Christ, to whom we belong.

ConclusionConclusion

Vs. 13: “Vs. 13: “He who has an ear to hear, He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to let him hear what the Spirit says to the seven churchesthe seven churches.” .”

Do you have an ear to hear? Do you have an ear to hear?