The message of Jesus to the church in Philidelphia
1. Background facts about Piladelphia Council
The city of Philadelphia, located about 25 miles southeast of Sardis, was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 17 AD. After this, in a period of about 20 years, Piladelphia suffered repeated disasters in earthquakes, but in each case it was rebuilt and improved.
Today Alaşehir is an important Turkish commercial city, the name of the city of Philadelphia means ‘brotherly love’.
2. Jesus introducing himself to the congregation of Piladelphia.
Revelation 3:7
“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
i. Holy One
Holy means, or literally means, “set apart (from the world) for God.”
The child of God, Jesus was the perfection of holiness, and it is clear from the following words that Jesus said to them that the church in Philadelphia was extremely eager to live a holy life.
Revelation 3:8
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Revelation: 3:10
Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.
My beloved brother and sister, the only way to walk in the path of holiness is to “keep God’s word, obey it and commit to living according to it”.
ii. The real one
Revelation 19:11
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
In our Lord Jesus, there is no such thing as lies, fraud, deception.
iii. He who has the key of David
Isaiah 22:22
I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
Jesus declares that he has the key of David as well as the key of death and Hades, and it is correct to consider this as two descriptions of the same key by Jesus.
3. Jesus’ appreciation of the good qualities of the church in Philidelphia
Revelation 3:8
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
i .I know your works.
Jesus said this word or similar words to many churches.
This means that Jesus sees and knows every act that we do in secret from everyone else.
ii. You have little power, but you keep my words.
Another fact that Jesus knew was that the church in Philadelphia did not have much power. Even so, Jesus declares that they will be responsible for protecting God’s Word.
iii You have not forsaken my name.
For various reasons, it is mentioned in the word of God that people lost their faith and abandoned the name of Jesus.
But from this we see that the believers of the church in Philadelphia were faithful to Jesus in the face of obstacles and pressures from false Jews. That his name was not rejected.
4. Three promises that Jesus made to the church of Philidelphia (during their lifetime).
Revelation 3:9-10
9 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 your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10 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.
i. To fall at your feet.
Children of God, Jesus makes a wonderful promise to the church in Philadelphia. Jesus who made this promise has not changed. Therefore, if you act as the church in Philadelphia did, this promise applies to you too.
Therefore, if some people act against you because of your honest service, do not be dismayed, do not be afraid. Jesus will lift you up and honor you.
ii. I will let you know that I love you.
Because of Jesus’ actions as mentioned above, even those who oppose you will know that God loves you.
iii. I will also protect you from the hour of trial that is about to come upon the whole world.
Jesus shows here that Jesus is going to protect His children during the very difficult time that will occur in the world near His second coming.
5. Jesus’ instructions to the church.
Revelation 3:11
I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.
Jesus says that the crown of the church is already in possession, and he will not allow anyone to steal it.
6. Jesus’ promise to the overcomer.
i. They are going to get the crown.
ii. They are going to be a pillar of God’s temple.
That is, they are going to have an important permanent place in the future kingdom of God.
iii. Jesus writes God’s name on them.
– That they are going to be under God’s protection.
– That they belong to God’s family and His kingdom.
iv. I will write on them the name of the city of God.
This shows that they are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven.
v. I will also write my new name on him.