Letters To 7 Churches In The Book Of Revelation - Philadelphia -

In this series of Bible Study articles, Letters To 7 Churches In The Book Of Revelation, we are going to study the letters to 7 churches in the book of Revelation. These letters to 7 churches are in Revelation 2 and 3. These are letters and messages that Jesus told John to send to 7 actual churches located in Asia Minor. Asia Minor is Turkey in modern times.

Some of the letters to the 7 churches are important messages to us today, because there are many similarities to today’s modern churches, especially in America. Specifically the letters to the churches in Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Laodicea.

John was exiled to the island of Patmos for his faithfulness to Jesus, and because of his witness to others about Jesus. Prior to his exile to Patmos John was the leader and pastor of the church in Ephesus.

In the first part of this series of Bible study articles about the Letters To 7 Churches In The Book of Revelation we studied Revelation 1. Specifically about how John was led to write the Book of Revelation. And how Jesus appeared to John when he was in exile on the island of Patmos, and Jesus’ appearance.

In Part 2 we studied the letter to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:1-7.

In Part 3 we studied the letter that Jesus had John write and send to the church of Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11

In Part 4 we studied Jesus’ letter to the church of Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17.

In Part 5 we studied the letter that Jesus sent through John to the church of Thyatira in Revelation 2:18-29.

In Part 6 we studied Jesus’ letter to the 5th of 7 churches in the Book of revelation, the church of Sardis.

Now we will study the letter Jesus sent to the church of Philadelphia. It is the only other church in the letters to 7 churches in the Book of Revelation that has no criticism or condemnation, and no warnings.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

The City of Philadelphia

Philadelphia was another ancient city located in Asia Minor, which is modern day Turkey, approximately 27 miles southeast of Sardis.

Philadelphia was founded in 189BC by King Eumenes II of Pergamum. He named the city Philadelphia for the love and devotion of his brother and successor Attalus II Philadelphus. The city was bequeathed to the Romans by Attalus III, who had no heir, at the time of his death in 133BC.

Philadelphia was located in an area known for earthquakes. It is located at the foot of a mountain range of volcanos known as the “inkwells”. Like the city of Sardis, in 17AD there was a great earthquake that destroyed the city of Philadelphia. Tiberius Caesar rebuilt the city, and thus there was a temple built and dedicated to Tiberius Casar.

Philadelphia, similar to other cities in Asia Minor, was located at an elevated position at the base of Bozdad. It was located above a very fertile valley, known for agriculture and for growing grapes and making wine.

Philadelphia guarded and had control of an important pass through the mountains between Hermus valley and and Meander valley. It was thus the keeper of the key to the gateway to the eastern highlands.

The Spiritual Makeup of Philadelphia

Like the other cities of Asia Minor, there was considerable pagan worship and idolatry. It was known at times as “Little Athens” for the buildings and various temples of pagan gods located there. Like other cities in Asia Minor, there was a Jewish temple located in Philadelphia, since there were Jews living throughout the region. Like in the times of Jesus, the Jewish people were another source of persecution for the Lord’s church.

Being a part of the Roman Empire, there was also considerable pressure and expectation to worship the Roman emperor. There was a temple dedicated to the worship of the Roman Tiberius Caesar in Philadelphia, since he rebuilt the city after the earthquake in 17AD destroyed it.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Background & History of the Church in Philadelphia

Like the churches of Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatire, and Sardis, there is no record of the official start of the church in Philadelphia in the Bible. Paul most likely played an important role in the founding of this church also.

When Paul was on his third missionary journey he stayed 3 years in Ephesus. The result shown in Acts 19:10 was that everyone in Asia (Asia Minor) heard the Gospel, both Jews and Greeks. The missions efforts of Paul and other disciples most likely resulted in the church being established in Philadelphia.

We know that the church of Philadelphia, like the other churches in Asia Minor, suffered a great deal of persecution and opposition from Satan. Idolatry, pagan worship, and immorality were very prevalent in the culture. There was also persecution from the Jews in Philadelphia. And there was also great pressure from the Romans to deny Christ and bow down to and worship Caesar.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Letter to the Church in Philadelphia

Here is the letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13

The Words of Him Who Is Holy And True

The One Who Holds The Key of David

Jesus is also described as “who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” This is a direct quote of Isaiah 22:

“In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 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.”  – Isaiah 22:20-22

God gave Eliakim the “key of the house of David”. This is the authority over all of the riches of King David and the kingdom. Jesus is the One who has been given the authority to dispense all of the spiritual riches of the kingdom of God. And the authority over who can and who cannot enter God’s eternal kingdom. He holds the key to heaven.

Jesus is also described as the One who holds the key of death and Hades (hell), which will be thrown into the lake of fire, along with all who are not in the “book of life” (those who have rejected Jesus and refused to believe in Him):

“Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”  – Revelation 20:14-15

People will either enter God’s eternal kingdom and live and reign with Him forever. Or forever they will dwell with Satan and the antichrist and the false prophet in the lake of fire. Jesus holds the key and the authority over all.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Commendations from Jesus

” 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 3:8

As with the other churches in the letters to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation, Jesus says “I know your deeds”. This refers to His intimate knowledge of everyone in His church. And His intimate knowledge of all of our deeds or works.

Jesus declared that they have “little strength” or “little power”. This does not mean that they were not filled with the power and strength of the Holy Spirit. They were a Spirit filled church. They were the kind of church that God wants.This simply means that they were a small church, and seemingly insignificant and without a lot of influence. But Jesus does not need a large number of people, or a large church, to make an eternal impact.

He continues, “yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” This church was faithful to Jesus and obedient. They faithfully followed Jesus, no matter the persecution and difficulties. They refused to deny Christ and bow down to false pagan gods, even with pressure being put on them by their culture and the Romans.

And they faithfully obeyed all of Jesus’ command, including the “first importance” commands in Matthew 4:19 “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men (witnesses), and in Matthew 28:19-20 “Go and make disciples of all nations…”. Despite the dangers and the persecution, they faithfully remained true disciples and followers of Jesus, reaching out to the lost and making other disciples or true followers.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”  – Matthew 6:33

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

No Condemnation or Warnings From Jesus For the Church in Philadelphia

This is only 1 of 2 churches of the 7 churches Jesus sent letters to that was not condemned for anything, or warned.

As a result of their faithfulness and obedience, especially to the First Importance things of reaching the lost and making disciples, Jesus tells them that “I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” in Revelation 3:8.

The open door Jesus is talking about is possibly referring to the spiritual riches of the kingdom He will give them due to their loyalty and faithful obedience.

An open door in the New Testament often refers to God given opportunities or “open doors” or “diving appointments” to share the Gospel and reach lost people. Paul talks of open doors in this context:

“But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.”  – 1 Corinthians 16:8-9  (note that Paul mentions an open door, and also mentions there are many who oppose him. Anytime God opens doors and opportunities to share the Gospel, our enemy Satan will try to stop it and send opposition. We need to persevere and faithfully continue on in our God given mission)

“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.”  – Acts 14:27  (God sent Paul and Barnabus on a mission trip to preach the Gospel, and God opened a door for them to share with the Gentiles. Many came to know Christ as their Lord and Savior)

“At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison.”  – Colossians 4:3  (we daily pray for God to go ahead of us in our missions ministry, so that He will open many doors of opportunities to share the Gospel and help make disciples. We should all pray for God to open doors or “divine appointments”. Since God wants all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4) He will answer this prayer)

Another Reward/Promise From Jesus

“I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.”  – Revelation 3:9

There was a Jewish temple in Philadelphia. Jesus calls it a “synagogue of Satan” because they were Jewish by name only, or cultural Jews. Their hearts were far from the Living and True God, and thus they ended up actually serving Satan.

Jesus also calls them liars. Then He says something interesting. Jesus says “I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.” What does it mean that Jesus will make them come and fall down at their feet and acknowledge that I have loved you?

Many Jews refused to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, during Jesus’ time and afterwards. They refused to believe He was the Messaiah, the promised Savior, and thus they did not humble themselves before Him, repent, and turn to Jesus. And many refused to believe that God loves all people, including the dreaded Gentiles. And thus they persecuted them.

Jesus is referring to how some of the Jews would humble themselves and finally recognize that God dis love the Gentiles in the church of Philadelphia. And that some of them would repent and follow Jesus. This is part of the open door that Jesus promised them.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Jesus’ Great Promise Because of Their Devotion & Faithful Obedience

“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. ”  – Revelation 3:10

Here is a great promise for the faithful and obedient believers in the church of Philadelphia. And not only for the true followers of Jesus in the church of Philadelphia, but for all true believers of Jesus. The true followers of Jesus that continually and faithfully stay devoted to Jesus, and keep obeying His commands. Despite the difficulties and dangers. Despite the persecution. Despite the costs of truly following Jesus.

Jesus is promising to keep His true followers that remain devoted, faithful and obedient, and that persevere through the difficulties and persecution out of the coming Great Tribulation. The “70th week” that Daniel prophesied about, or the 7 year Great Tribulation that will come upon the entire world.

This is one of the key verses and promises for a lot of people that believe God’s word tells of a pre-tribulation  raputure of God’s people. The original Greek words “τηρέω ἐκ (tereo ek) mean to “keep from” or may also mean “keep out of”. The people who believe that there is no pre-tribulation raputure and that it will come later believe the Greek words τηρέω ἐκ (tereo ek) mean that Jesus will keep them, or sustain them, during the Great Tribulation. They do not believe that Jesus mean that He will keep them from or out of the Great Tribulation.

The Greek word ἐκ is used various times in the New Testament. Here are just a couple of the many cases where the word ἐκ is used to mean “out of”:

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of  (ἐκ) my hand.”  – John 10:28

“The crowd that had been with him when he called Lazarus out of (ἐκ) the tomb and raised him from the dead continued to bear witness.”  – John 12:17

“How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of (ἐκ) the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”  – Matthew 12:34

“For he was saying to him, “Come out of (ἐκ) the man, you unclean spirit!”  – Mark 5:8

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

Encouragement For The Church in Philadelphia

“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.”  – Revelation 3:11-12

Jesus wraps up His letter to the church in Philadelphia by saying first that He is coming back soon. The time of Jesus return and the pre-tribulation rapture of His church is getting closer and closer. So Jesus encourages His true followers to hold on to what they have. To keep holding onto Him, and to keep being faithful and obedient. And passionately devoted to Him, so no one will take their crown.

The crown refers to the eternal rewards they will receive for remaining devoted and faithful to Jesus, to the end.

“The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.”

Jesus says to the ones that are victorious, who remain faithful to the end and overcome the world, that He will make them eternal “pillars” in the temple of God. They will have an eternal place in God’s eternal kingdom. And that He will write on them the name of God, and the name of the city of God (the new Jerusalem). And that He will write on them Jesus’ new name. The “name above all other names”.

They will be rewarded with eternal life in God’s eternal kingdom, forever in God’s presence. And they will receive a place and name of honor, forever helping to reign in the eternal kingdom. If they persevere and remain devoted and faithful to their Lord and Savior.

Letters to 7 Churches In the Book of Revelation

The Final Message

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”  – Revelation 3:13

As in the other letters to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation, Jesus ends His letter to the church in Philadelphia with the same word “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”.

This means that Jesus is not only speaking to those in the church of Philadelphia or the other 6 churches, but that He is speaking to all people who will read the letters. The messages in the 7 letters are for everyone, especially for believers. Jewish believers and non-Jewish believers. Jesus is saying to anyone who reads His letters to pay attention and listen to what He has to say.

The word listen in the Bible is more than just hearing what Jesus has to say. The word listen in the Bible is to hear what Jesus says, and in your heart you are ready to do and obey whatever Jesus is saying to do. A good example is in 1 Samuel 3:10: “ And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening”.

We need to not only read and hear what Jesus says, but in our hearts, out of love and devotion for Jesus, we need to be ready to respond and follow and obey whatever Jesus says. When Jesus is truly our First Love, we will have a heart that is ready to do whatever Jesus says, even before we hear what He says.

Being A Good Church Member vs Being A True Disciple of Jesus

In our more than 20 years of missions ministry we have helped &/or preach in &/or trained more than 250 churches in 33 countries. And we have visited many more churches, and also have met with many more church leaders and pastors. In the US we have tried to help 58 churches, offering preaching, training, and help to reach the lost and make disciples. We never ask for support or offering, we only offer help. Only 3 have had any interest in receiving help in these “first importance” things.

There is a noticeable lack of “first love” passion for Jesus in many church leaders today. And there is a noticeable lack of passion in the leaders and in many people in churches today for the “first importance” things of taking the Gospel out to the lost and making true disciples of Jesus. Most of the churches in America and other places have replaced evangelism with social assistance and other ministry events and projects.

And most churches have replaced teaching believers how to be a true & passionate follower and disciple of Jesus with teaching people how to be a good church member. There is a big difference between being a good church member and being a true and passionate follower/disciple of Jesus. A good church member is taught that he or she needs to attend the worship service to worship God, and attend the Bible study on Wednesday night and a small group if they have them. And they need to serve somewhere in the church, and also give to the church.

So many people in churches end up having a “What a good Christian or church member should do list”. What is interesting (and sad) is to see that most churches do not teach the “First Importance” things anymore. Which again are having Jesus as your First Love and having close fellowship with Him. And our Kingdom building mission of 1) taking the Gospel everywhere and reaching the lost, and 2) teaching believers how to be passionate and true disciples/followers of Jesus.

And there are many people in many churches today that are beyond compromising their walk with Jesus. What started out as a small compromise is now full blown tolerance of sin and evil. And even openly practicing and boasting about things that are offensive to God. Things that God calls abominations in His word. Unless there is repentance God will be forced to deal with them, for the sake of His name and the integrity of His church and people.

Next week we will finish this series on the letters to 7 churches in the book of Revelation with the letter to church in Laodicea.

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