10. THE EPISTLE TO PHILADELPHIA - Revelation 3:7-13

 

As we have previously seen, the angels of the various churches are to be recognized as the elder or elders of the churches, who are protected by the Lord Jesus Christ (1:16,20).

 

Please Read Revelation 3:7-13

 

Verse 7: Philadelphia is today’s Alashehir, situated at the eastern end of a broad valley which stretches through Sardis (45km NW) to the Aegean Sea near Smyrna. The ancient city of Philadelphia commanded the high ground on the southern side of the Coganus River. To the north the land is volcanic and fertile.

The name Philadelphia comes from Attalus II (159-138 BC), whose loyalty to his brother Eumenes won him the name ‘brother-lover.’ Attalus was pressured to take the city from his brother, but he refused to do so.

Philadelphia was located in an important position, and was known as the ‘gateway to the east.’ It was on the Imperial route from Rome to Troas, and to lands further east. It was situated at the junction of trade routes to Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia, becoming rich from both agriculture and industry. Under Eumenes and Attalus II, the city was central to the bringing of Greek culture to the region.

The city had many temples (Dionysus, the Imperial Cult, etc) and festivals, which led to the city being known as the ‘Little Athens.’ In 17 AD a large earthquake devastated the city, but it was rebuilt with massive aid from Emperor Tiberius.

The church in Philadelphia appeared small and weak, being greatly troubled by hostile Jews.

In this epistle the Lord Jesus Christ designates Himself quite clearly as Almighty God. He is the Holy One, the transcendent (Is 6:3; 40:25; 43:15; Hab 3:3; Mk 1:24; Jn 6:69; Rev 6:10) and completely true and genuine God (Jn 14:6; 17:11,17,21; Rev 6:10). By declaring Himself as God, Jesus silences the falsehoods of the unbelieving Jews that were troubling the church (3:9), for He is the true Messiah and not the impostor as claimed.

NOTE: INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY QUESTION HERE: What is the ‘key of David (3:7)?’

 

In a clear reference to Isaiah 22:15-25, Jesus declares Himself to having ‘the key of David.' What this means is that Jesus is describing Himself as having the highest power and authority in the Kingdom (Job 12:14; Mt 16:19; 23:13; 28:18; Rev 5:5), with complete control over all affairs. As Eliakim carried the key of the royal household, so Christ carries the Kingdom Key with absolute sovereignty. As sovereign of the Kingdom, Christ controls access to the Kingdom. It is He who opens and shuts the door to the people. If He opens it no one can shut it, and if He shuts it no one can open it.

QUESTIONS: Why would Christ possessing the ‘key of David’ be an especially important encouragement to this church?

 

What significance does this hold for the church today?

 

Verse 8: Again the all-knowing Lord knows the works of the church under His scrutiny and on the basis of this scrutiny the church in Philadelphia has been judged faithful.

The open door that has been set before the church may mean one of two possibilities, the context allowing only one. The first and unlikely possibility is that of an open door of missionary opportunity, as the Scriptures sometimes speak of (1 Cor 16:9; 2 Cor 2:12; Col 4:3; Acts 14:27). The more likely possibility is that which most fits the context. Despite the jeers and ridicule of the hostile and unbelieving Jews, the door to the eternal kingdom of heaven is indeed open to the believers of Philadelphia. The reason for this blessing is that of the continued faithfulness of the church, despite the church having a little strength (2:13; 14:12). The believers here had remained loyal to Christ and had not caved under the pressure applied to them by the ungodly.

Verse 9: This verse identifies those who have applied much pressure on the church. The synagogue of Satan is to be identified as those who meet in the local synagogue under the guise of worshipping God, yet they in reality were demonstrated to be the followers of Satan (Jn 8:44; 2 Cor 11:14,15; Rev 2:9; 12:10) by the way they persecuted the church. These people were national Jews that considered themselves to be the Israel of God, as opposed to the Christians that they persecuted. Yet their unbelief clearly demonstrates that they were not the true people of God (Rom 2:28,29; Gal 6:16). In fact the true Israel of God were those people despised by the Jews, whom God will one day acknowledge before all as His (Is 43:4; 45:14; 49:23; 60:14).

QUESTIONS: For what reasons are Christians blessed of God? Is such blessing the result of merit? Explain.

 

Verse 10: The Christians in Philadelphia had remained steadfast, enduring and persevering in their careful attention to the commands of the Lord. Because they had kept the commands in spite of much pressure to do otherwise, the Lord would carefully preserve and shield these Christians from the trial coming upon the world (Jn 2:10; 17:6,11,12,15; 1 Thess 5:23).

This hour of trial is not some providential judgment upon the church as in previous cases, but that which comes before the Lord’s return (Dan 12:2; Mk 13:9; 2 Thess 2:1-12; Rev 13:5-10) upon the unbelieving world (6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8,14; 17:8). The church will be preserved from God’s judgments upon unbelievers (Jn 17:15; Rev 7:1; 11:1; 12:6), though they will suffer persecution from the hands of unbelievers.

Verse 11: Great encouragement is given to the church here in this passage, especially with the promise of the Lord’s imminent return (1:7; 22:7,12,20). In view of this hastening return, the church is to continue to be faithful and loyal to Christ that they might receive their promised crown.

The crown alluded to would probably kindle memories in Philadelphia of the victor’s crown given in their games and festivals (1 Cor 9:25; 2 Thess 4:8)

NOTE: INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY QUESTION HERE: What is the ‘New Jerusalem’ in 3:12?

 

Verse 12: Again, the overcomer is the one who perseveres. This one will be a pillar or an established member of God’s temple (Gal 2:9; 1 Tim 3:15; 1 Cor 3:16,17; 6:19; Rev 21:22). What this symbolism means is that the believer will be permanently in God’s presence. He therefore has a secure eternity. Such a one of necessity belongs to God (7:3; 14:1; 22:4), to the New Jerusalem and to Christ (2:17; 19:12), thereby sharing in all the blessings and privileges of God’s people (Is 60:4; Gal 4:26; Phil 3:20).

QUESTIONS: How will God keep believers from the hour of trial?

 

Why should believers hold fast? What will this involve?

 

What does belonging to the New Jerusalem mean in practice?

 

Verse 13: As has been seen previously, only the regenerated will hear and heed the spiritual message and warning given to the churches.

 

INDIVIDUAL DISCOVERY

What is it to be ‘spewed out’ of Christ’s mouth?

 

To what is verse 20 referring?

 

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17/10/2006

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