TEXT: Revelation 3:7-13

SUBJECT: Exposition of Revelation 1-3, #7: Philadelphia

Tonight brings us to another message of Christ sent to the "Seven Churches in Asia". These were real congregations, living long ago in places far away; yet the Lord generalizes each message to include everyone "who has an ear to hear".

The sixth stop on the circuit is the church in Philadelphia. The city was built in 189 B.C. in the hopes of extending Greek culture into the heartland of Asia Minor. It was effective in doing so; little did its founders suppose that it would spread another idea, too. Most Philadelphians, of course, were Pagan. Bacchus, the god of drunkenness was the preferred object of worship. His disciples must have "thought it strange that (the Christians) no longer ran with them to the same flood of dissipation". And so "spoke evil of (them)". The real enemy, though, was not pagan, but Jewish. Their house of worship must have borne a pious-sounding name, but Jesus called it "the synagogue of Satan". For in persecuting the church (whatever the motive), they were doing the devil's business. The church was small, weak, and insignificant. In other words, just the kind of people Christ loves to use.

He begins by identifying 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". These titles must be viewed against the background of the Jewish claims which were causing the Christians so much grief. "Holy" means "separate, different, special". The Jews thought of themselves as such. But the Lord contradicts their claim; it is not they who are special with God, but He. "True" is probably used in the passive sense, i.e., reliable, faithful. The Jews claimed this too. They thought of themselves as hewing to the line of God. But they did not. Isaiah prophesied against them as "drawing near to Me with their lips...(while) teaching as doctrines the commandments of men". But Christ is true. God's "Law is within His heart". The most important designation, though is "He who has the key of David". This figure of speech carries with it the idea of "authority". The Jews had access to power in the city; they used it to hinder the church. But Christ has "the key of David", which translates into "all power in heaven and in earth".

This must have been no small comfort to the church in Philadelphia. Their enemies were powerful, but their Savior was all-powerful. Hence, "No weapon that is formed against them shall prosper". Not Jewish slander; not pagan mockery; not Imperial lions. Christ would be their "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble".

Having identified Himself, the Lord now turns to assess His church, vv.8,10: "I know your works...you have a little strength, have kept my word, have not denied my name... and you have kept my command to persevere". A glowing report He gives. The kind of report you hope for at work! Entirely positive. They had but "a little strength"; but what they had, they made the most of! They "kept His word", an obedient people they were. They "did not deny His name", connotes fidelity. They "kept His command to persevere" carries with it the ideas of courage and patience.

This church would not be much respected today. After all, it was not large, rich, or influential. But it had the approval of Christ. Why? Because it possessed the one thing He wants above all: "faithfulness". "It is required in stewards, that they be found faithful". William Carey is a prime example here. When asked the secret of his work, he replied, "I can plod". And so he did. No startling breakthroughs occurred during his work in India. There was no "Indian Pentecost" to boast of. Yet he is considered one of the greatest missionaries of all time. Why? Because he was faithful.

The faithfulness Christ respects is of two sorts. Positively, the believers in Philadelphia worked. "I know your works". They were consistent in serving Christ. Negatively, the brethren did not quit in times of hardship. "You kept my command to persevere".

No higher praise can be given: "Well done, you good and faithful servant, you have been faithful over a few things..."

This is what we ought to strive for personally, in the family, and at church. Be faithful and leave the results to God.

Interwoven with these words of praise, we also find a promise. "See, I have set before you an open door..." An "open door" is a figure of speech; it indicates an opportunity to evangelize. And with success. This appears twice in the writings of Paul. In Colossians 4:3, he pleads, "Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains". I Corinthians 16:9: "For a great door and effectual is opened to me and there are many adversaries".

The church had been faithful in God's vineyard. Now, Christ would open to them a great harvest. This was a "door" that the Jews would try to bar; but without success. "I have set before you an open door and no one can shut it". The work would not be easy; but its payoff would be rich. "An hour of trial was coming upon the whole world"--but Christ would sustain His people in it. In the end, even the Jews would pay homage to the believers. "I will make them come and worship (or, better, "bow down") before you..."

The reason they would be so used? It is not due to their number or wealth or intellect. They were among "the base things of the world". Nor, really, because of their faithfulness. But ultimately, because "I have loved you".

Christ so loved His saints in Philadelphia that He would give them an opportunity to

"His kingdom spread

from shore to shore".

In this life, they would be useful. In the life to come, happy. "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the house 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 a new name".

To be a "pillar in the house of God" means the permanent presence of God. If God dwells in the Temple, then the pillars thereof dwell with Him. To have "the name of God" written on you refers to His ownership; to have the name "New Jerusalem" tattooed on you means residency. Thus, three figures of speech amounting to the same thing: perfect, uninterrupted fellowship with God.

These are the two things we ought to seek: an "open door" now and a place in "the New Jerusalem" for the future. Our goal in this life is usefulness; in the life to come, rest.

Has the Lord given us "an open door"?

I think He has. Our age is nearly identical to the First Century. It has run out of ideas. It has given up hope. It has found pleasure unsatisfying. As a European philosopher has put it: "Give us something to live for; give us something to die for".

We have the gospel; the only true philosophy; the only lasting pleasure--let's promote it! Let's rush through that "open door". "But--someone objects--"we haven't the manpower, the money, the leadership to do it". Neither did the church in Philadelphia! They had something better: the presence and promises of Christ! Do we have any less? Do we need any more?

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches".