Revelation 3: Church Of Philadelphia

Philadelphia means “Brotherly love”

Main Theme: The church with the open door

🔹City of Philadelphia

The city was the "open door". An imperial commerce route that was situated at the entrance to a vast, fertile plateau.

In 189 BC, Attalus Philadelphus founded the city. Attalus and his brother, the king of Lydia, also shared a special bond and were close. Between the two valleys of Hermus and Meander, Philadelphia occupied a vital path across the mountains.

🔹Application to the church

During this time, the love for God and man has not been seen since the apostolic times. It marked the beginning of world missions and the printing of the Bible in large quantities. 

• William Carey preached his memorable sermon on foreign missions in May 31, 1792.

• The first missionary arrived in Tahiti, followed by Robert Morrison in China (1807), Robert Moffat in Africa (1817), John Williams in the South Sea Islands, David Livingstone in Africa (1840), and the establishment of the British Foreign Bible Society in 1804 and the American Bible Society in 1816.

This prompted a study of the prophecies, which in turn sparked the great Advent movement. There were also signs in the heavens, such as the sun darkening on May 19, 1780, and falling meteors on November 13, 1833.

This congregation received a message that held prophetic significance for the great Protestant revival that took place in Great Britain and America during the First and Second Awakenings, roughly between 1740 and 1844. God's people did, in fact, try to uphold "My word" (Revelation 3:8) during this period, given the light they had. The importance of following God's instructions and leading a pure life was rising. 

On both sides of the Atlantic, churches experienced massive revivals. People around the world spoke prophecies of Christ's soon return in the years before 1844. God's vow to write His name on the triumphant suggests that His people will exhibit God's nature. The promise that Christ will prepare His people for that momentous occasion by writing His law into their hearts and forgiving their sins is just as significant as the news that He is returning soon (Hebrews 10:16–17).

Revelation Chapter 3 - Verse 7 to 9

7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

🔹Key of David

The key of David comes from Isaiah 22:22–23. It refers to the beginning of Jesus' kingdom and His role as an intercessor in the Most Holy Place. The system found in the Sanctuary will be revealed to this congregation. The only One who is capable of doing the task of purifying the Sanctuary is Jesus, the Holy and True One. 

The key to the kingdom of heaven, or to the house of David, belongs to Christ. He is able to determine who can and cannot enter the kingdom of heaven, as well as to open and close it. Only through Him can they enter.

Three doors are possibly opened: 

1. The door of the tomb - The time of the resurrection is drawing closer. 

2. The door to the most Holy Place was opened in 1844. 

3. The door of missionary opportunity was opened, and Christ alone can close the door of probation.

🔹Open door

Revelation 3:12, and Revelation 4:1–2 mention "the temple of my God" suggesting that the "open door" is the entrance to the heavenly sanctuary. The closing of one door and the opening of another symbolize the shift in Christ's high-priestly ministry in 1844.

Revelation 11:19 describes the opening of God's temple in heaven, revealing the ark of his testament. Our Redeemer says, "Behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it." Revelation 3:8. The ark of the testament stores the royal law, which we can see through this open entrance into God's sanctuary. Through this open door, light shines from that pure, just, and good law, presenting man with the true standard of righteousness and allowing him to make no mistakes in developing a character that will meet God's criteria. That law condemns sin, and we must put it away. 

Men labor so hard to close that door, but they cannot. According to John, "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in His temple the ark of His testament" (Revelation 11:19). The two stone tablets bearing God's law were located beneath the mercy seat in the ark. God's faithful ones saw the light that shone forth from the law, intended for the world. And now Satan's intense activity is to block that door of light, but Jesus declares no one can do so. Men will turn away from, denounce, and disdain the light, but it will continue to shine in clear, unmistakable beams, cheering and blessing everyone who perceives it.

🔹Little strength

The Philadelphians did strengthen what remained. They did not believe in their own power and competence, but were aware of their weaknesses and therefore God could then use them. God will spare them from the seven last plagues and the hour of temptation. The scripture emphasizes that Christ's return is imminent, yet there is a delay, as seen by the situation of the Laodiceans. 

Revelation Chapter 3 - Verse 10 to 11

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

🔹Word of my patience

In this context, "patience" refers to people who will endure the terrible persecutions of Revelation 13's two beasts. The Church of Philadelphia has two stages of fulfillment. 

• The Millerite movement partially achieved the first goal.

• The final generation, living when Jesus returns, will realize the second.

🔹Keep you from the hour of temptation

It is important to note that when Jesus prayed for His disciples, He prayed for their protection from evil rather than for their removal from the world (John 17:15).

🔹Hold fast

Jesus encourages His followers to "hold fast and not let go." If you do not hang on, someone will take your crown. 

Revelation Chapter 3 - Verse 12 to 13

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

🔹Pillar in the temple

Revelation 7:15 realizes the promise that God's people, symbolized by the 144,000, will serve the Lord in His temple day and night.

🔹Name of God, Jesus and new city

The Book of Revelation (Revelation 14:1; Revelation 22:4) connects the live saints who will survive the final tribulation to God's name and the New Jerusalem.

Summary: Church of Philadelphia

• Philadelphia stands before an open door.

• Jesus opens the door for His devoted followers to enter.

• The entrance leads to the most holy place, where Jesus will begin to judge His followers and forgive their sins. 

• The process begins with the righteous dead and ends with the living.

• Because the word "judgment" means "judging the people," the process of judgment occurred during the time of the church of Laodicea.

• The door leads to the heart in the message to the earthly church of Laodicea.

• Jesus desires to enter our hearts and purge them of sin so that He may also purge the record of our sins in the heavenly sanctuary.

• God will not cleanse the record of our sins in the heavenly sanctuary if we are not cleansed from our sins here on earth.

Next: Revelation Chapter 3: Church Of Laodicea 

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