The Seven Churches

The Church at Philadelphia is said to have been one of the strongest congregations.  This Church was filled with spiritual commitment, and it certainly had missionary zeal.  Compared to the Church of Sardis, the Philadelphia Church appeared to be outwardly poor and small. However, inwardly it was a dynamic and faithful Church.

The city of Philadelphia, was surprising, the youngest of the seven. Attalus II Philadelphos, one of the kings of Pergamum, founded the city in circa 150 B.C.
Attalus was known for his love and devotion to his brother, Eumenes. Hence the name of the town: city of “brotherly love.’ Ironically, the Roman historian Strabo called it a “city full of earthquakes. “A severe earthquake in A.D., 17 devastated nearby Sardis and totally demolished Philadelphi. But the Romans rebuilt the city, and a congregation of Christian believers flourished there by the end of the first century.

Even though Philadelphia was small compared to the other cities of the Apocalypse, the advantage they have was a lush valley in the heart of Asia Minor. The distinction was the fact that it was located on the Roman road that went from Rome to Troy, Pergamum, Sardis, and on to Philadelphia.  In the ancient times, Philadelphia was always the “gateway to the East.’  The plateau of Asia Minor, is now our modern Turkey. Many early Christians traveled through Philadelphia as they journeyed east and west from Jerusalem to Rome. As they traveled, they spread the Good News of the Gospel to Europe and also to Asia.

The Church was rattled with persecution from the local Jewish synagogue, but the congregation held firm in faith. This reminds us that Satan is the main source of all religious persecution. Despite all of the opposition, this Church was promised an open door for the Gospel and missionary opportunity.

There is a vivid description of this Church. We find a key, a door, and a pillar. Jesus is the One Who holds the “key of David.’ The phrases “who opens and no one will shut,’ and “who  shuts and no one opens,’ no doubt refers to His divine sovereignty and no other than Jesus Christ!

Christ has free access to the heavenly palace. He alone can take us into the Father´s house. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, but by Me’ (John 14:6). So, it is that access to the heavenly palace is through Jesus Christ and none other. Our Lord said this: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow, that leads to life, and few are those who find it’ (Matt. 7:13-14).

We must be very thankful to God for Jesus came to give us the “keys of the kingdom’ (Matt. 16:19) We have the keys of the Kingdom that we might use them to open the door of heaven to all who would enter by faith in Jesus Christ.  John Stott observes, “The key of salvation is in the hand of Christ… ‘I have put before you an open door´(verse 8) he says. The tense is perfect, for he opened the door for all long ago, and it still stands open today.’

The church at Philadelphia had only a “little power’ (3:8), but our gracious Lord so promised to do great things through them. He promised to use their testimony to convert the Jews who opposed them (3:9). He also promised to keep them from the “hour of testing’ which shall “come upon the whole world.’ This is not a mere local persecution to which it refers, but the Great Tribulation itself. It will affect the “whole world’ and to test those who “dwell upon the earth.’

The promise to the believer is that he will be kept “from’ (Greek, ek, “out from’) the time of judgment that is coming on the earth – the Great Tribulation.  This does not refer to the Great White Throne Judgment (or the final judgment), which takes place in heaven.  This is an “hour of testing’ (Greek, tes horas tou peirasmou),
Which takes place on the earth for a brief period of time – three and one-half years (Rev. 12:14; 13:5).

If this is a promise that the Church will be removed in the rapture prior to the time of tribulation, then the promise to the church at Philadelphia is a promise to the Church universal. This indicates that the specific instructions and promises of our Lord to these local Churches are not limited to any particular era of church history. Rather, these instructions and promises are applicable to all the churches of all time.

The Promises to those who are victorious (who “overcome´) are fourfold.

Pillar in the temple of God. Just as massive pillars supported ancient temples, so the believers will be secure in their position in God´s heavenly temple.
         
Name of God.  God´s name is a reflection of His character. Having His name
Written on us symbolizes having His character.

Name of city of God.  The promise of the New Jerusalem reminds us that we are
Destined for the heavenly city where the Church will reign triumphant.  Our “right
Of citizenship’ has already been guaranteed.

Christ´s new name. His “new name’ indicates the full revelation of His character.  The Scripture promises, “We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we see Him just as He is’ (1 John 3:2).

Philadelphia, “the church of the open door,’ it also represents the ideal church in various ways. An open door can symbolizes opportunity.  The key of David represents Christ´s authority, the pillar of God´s temple depicts our security, and the names reveal the assurance of our new nature and eternal destiny.

Tara Hart  © 2007