LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES

 THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie; indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

ADDRESS

It was addressed to the church in Philadelphia. It existed between AD 1700-1900. Philadelphia means brotherly love.

Identity

They were known as the tried and faithful church, the weak but loyal church and the revival church which shows a state of spiritual advance.

History

The church was built at the centre of Greek culture. It is located 30miles off Sardis. Philadelphia was celebrated for it's rich wine.  Though having a Turkish name, they had five churches and a Christian population of about 3000.

ATTRIBUTES

Jesus introduced Himself as “He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens". In revealing Himself this way, it focuses on the fact that He is pure and holy, true (it is the truth that liberates), has the key (an emblem of authority, knowledge, access).

In essence, everything one is looking for is in Jesus, and if you have Him, you have all. Jesus was simply letting them know that their greatest need is Him, that amidst the distractions and trying times, He was all they needed. Only Jesus is constant.  He is the final authority.

COMMENDATION (Rev. 3:8)

"I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name”.

God takes records, He doesn’t delegate this. He commended them for keeping His word and did not deny His name. These words to them are two of the most blessed words that can be said about a church or a person. They had no social or political standing.

In spite of seemingly having no title or standing, they remained faithful in much opposition though with little strength. The pagan authorities often tested Christians by commanding them to renounce the name of Christ or to face death.

ACCUSATION

There was none. It is possible to live in "perfection" without any condemnation, when you make up your mind that it is the word of God that regulates everything about your life.

Historical era

It was a period of reformation. Prominent figures like Martin Luther, Jonathan Edwards (His sermons, sinners in the hands of an angry God is considered a masterpiece), John Knox, George Whitefield, John Carrey, Andoriran Judson, David Livingston, D.L. Moody, were a part of this era.

Modern era, all earnest spiritual churches holding the truth of Jesus at all times, in doctrine, practice and lifestyle, in spite of the temptation both subtle and confrontational to compromise or deviate. 

KEY LESSONS

- 2 Cor. 13:1- This letter shows it is possible to live above board. Your ability to stay right in spite of trials and oppositions is all that matters, that is, you are up and doing in every way possible as expected by God. Living above board is more than not doing wrong.

- The power of love and the power of togetherness. It is love that unites us- Agape.

Great things can happen where there is love, where there is unity. Where there’s love, there’s God, there’s power. “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death”. 1 John 3:14, 1 Pet.4:8. Where there’s love, many supposed issues would not be issues. The power of love and togetherness makes the impossible possible. Deliberately work on growing in love.

ADVICE

Rev. 3:11, 2 Tim. 4:6

Jesus encouraged them to hold fast what they had. You keep the faith, when you have every reason to be bitter, but you stay in love.

ASSURANCE (Rev. 3:11-12)

 - I have set before you an open door - great opportunities, generally for preaching the gospel. That's why great missions and missionaries came out of this era. 1 Cor. 16:9     

- Jesus assured them of preservation.

"I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole earth”.  Verse 10

 “I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God...”

 “I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem...” Verse 12

Live and operate with eternity in view. Do not mortgage the temporal for the eternal.  Let's keep faith; if we are to see the faithfulness of God we must stay faithful.

PRAYER (Rev. 3:13)

I have ears and I hear.

I hold fast