Text: Revelation 3:7-13
Out of the seven churches Jesus addresses there are only two that he only has good things to say about. The first of these was the suffering church, Smyrna and the second was Philadelphia – the faithful church. The city was founded in 190 BC by a man called Atallus who was king of Pergamum. He had an unusual love for his brother and called the new city Philadelphia.
TO THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA
In vrs 8 Christ acknowledges I know that you have little strength. Discouraged people need lots of motivating. The risen Christ has four encouraging truths to share with them to persevere.
- MISSIONARY OPPORTUNITY (vrs 8). Philadelphia was originally founded as a centre to spread the Greek language and culture. When the emperor commissioned the town he said, “I set before you an open door to take the Greek language and culture to the uttermost parts.” They were quite successful in this regard so much so that by 19 AD the native language of Lydian had virtually disappeared, and the people spoke Greek. Now Christ in encouraging His small, harassed flock in Philadelphia exhorts them to be as missionary minded as their forbears. Of course, instead of propagating Greek culture they were to advance the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ is assuring his church of great success in their evangelism and gospel labour. An open door in the NT often refers to great opportunities for gospel labour (1 Corinthians 16:9, 2 Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3).
- ULTIMATE VINDICATION (vrs 9). Like Smyrna the Philadelphian church experienced the pain of being ostracised by the Jewish community. Now Jesus encourages his harassed church, I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.
- DIVINE PROTECTION (VRS 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 upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. Jesus uses the same Greek words in his High Priestly prayer in John 17:15 my prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect (keep) them from the evil one. The Lord Jesus is promising his disciples divine protection in their upcoming trials.
- ULTIMATE SECURITY (VRS 12). Philadelphia was terribly affected by earthquakes – the Anatolian fault makes Turkey seismologically active to this day. A devastating earthquake in 17 AD levelled twelve Asian cities overnight. Sardis was destroyed and Philadelphia severely damaged. For some years following there were minor tremors which induced panic among the citizens and sent them scurrying from their homes. If you keep this in mind it will help you understand Christ’s encouraging words better. When Jesus promises faithful overcomers, I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it, this would be greatly encouraging. A pillar is something permanent. In addition to this, overcomers are promised the name of God, the name of the city of God and a new name. What does this mean? Following the earthquake of 17AD the Roman emperor exempted them from taxes for a period and also made a generous donation so that they could rebuild their town. In appreciation the citizens changed the name of the town to Neocaesarea (the new city of Caesar). In 70AD following the kindness of the Roman emperor Vespasian they renamed it Flavia which was Vespasian’s family name. Later it was renamed Philadelphia once more. The Lord Jesus Christ is promising the Philadelphians and all faithful Christian overcomers that they will inherit a city whose name would last forever.