articlesforchristians

To the Church in Philadelphia:

Revelations 3:713

• 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;
• 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.
• Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
• 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.
• He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

History:

Philadelphia was located about 30 miles southeast of Bardia, about 30 miles southeast of Sardis and about 70 miles east of Smyrna, and lay at the upper end of a broad valley that passed through Sardis and near Smyrna. The city of Philadelphia was located at the foot of a mountain plateau in the area today known as West Central Turkey. It was built on an important travel route linking the city with Laodicea to the south.

Like Sardis Philadelphia was almost destroyed by the massive earthquakes in southwest Asia Minor in AD 17. The tremors continued for years. It was later rebuilt with the assistance of Emperor Tiberius.

When the Moslems overran Asia Minor in the fourteenth century A.D., Philadelphia resisted far longer than other cities and became an island for Christianity. The city exists today as the Turkish town of Alasehir and contains the ruins of many ancient churches.

Wine making, wool production, and agriculture were primary industries in the city.

Notes:

• Its name means “Brotherly Love” and represents the faithful church in all ages.
• The reference to the key of David is taken from Isaiah 22:22, where it relates messianic authority.
  • Isaiah 22:22
    • And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
• The reference to “The open door”, which no man can shut, refers to an opportunity for testimony and service.
  • The city sat on a mountain pass which served as a doorway to the Anatolian hill country
• Those who are of the synagogue of Satan are probably unbelieving Jews or Judaizers.
• 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.
  • This is saying that God will keep those who keeps His word from the temptation that everyone else must face.
    • 1 Corinthians 10:13
      • There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
    • The word “temptation” is from the same Greek word.
      • πειρασμός peirasmós, pi-ras-mos’; from G3985; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity:—temptation, × try.
• Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
  • Jesus is coming back. So, hold tightly to the Word of God and you will receive a crown.
  • This is probably referring to the crown of life.
    • James 1:12
      • Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
• 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.
  •  In Philadelphia, powerful earthquakes toppled buildings; temples withstood tremors because their pillars were massive and immovable.
    • Two bronze pillars—Jachin (“He establishes”) and Boaz (“In Him is strength”)—stood at Solomon’s temple entrance (1 Kings 7:15-22).
      • Believers familiar with those names would immediately hear stability and strength.
    • Pillars carried inscriptions honoring kings or donors; Jesus promises His own name instead.
  • What Being a Pillar Signifies for Believers Today
    • Permanent Residence in God’s Presence
      • John 14:3
        • And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
    • Stability and Strength
      • God establishes and upholds us
        • Psalm 40:2
          • He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
    • Galatians 2:9 calls James, Cephas, and John “pillars,” believers God uses to support others.
      • And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
    • Honor and Visibility
      • Pillars stand at the front; Christ publicly honors faithful believers
        • John 12:26
          • If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
    • Bearing God’s Name
      • Names signify ownership and character
        • Isaiah 43:1
          • But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
      • Three inscriptions promised:
        • – the name of God (belonging to Him),
        • – the name of the New Jerusalem (citizenship),
        • – Christ’s “new name” (shared identity with the victorious King).
    • Participation in the Living Temple
      • Ephesians 2:19-22—believers built together into a dwelling of God.
        • Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
        • And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
        • In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
        • In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
      • 1 Peter 2:5—“living stones” offering spiritual sacrifices.
        •  Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
      • Revelation 21:22—God and the Lamb are the eternal temple; pillars share their glory forever.
        • And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.