Before there was ever a city in the United States called Philadelphia, there was a city in Asia Minor that had the same name. The name Philadelphia means ‘brotherly love’. It is to the church in this city that Jesus instructs John to write a letter to.

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 

Revelation 3:7 NIV

Jesus establishes His identity to this church before He gives them any instructions. He is the one who is holy and true. The word true is the Greek word ‘alēthinos’ which means ‘that which has not only the name and resemblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name.’ Jesus doesn’t just claim to be the one who is holy and true, He actually is. He established his identity of truth while He was here on earth (John 14:6). Which then means that the words He speaks carry the essence of His identity.

Jesus also says that He holds the key of David and has the power to open or shut anything. This signifies His authority, power and control. This is important to understand in light of Jesus’ words throughout the rest of the letter.

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8 NIV 

Just like all the other 7 churches, Jesus knows the deeds of this church. Jesus encourages them that He has has an door open for this church that no one can shut. Philadelphia had been built as a missionary city to spread the Greek language and culture. Sharing knowledge with others would therefore not be a foreign thing for the inhabitants of this city. Jesus tells them that He has a door open for them. A door that they can use as their gateway to spreading the gospel and advancing His kingdom. How the church chooses to respond to this open door is their responsibility. They cannot shut it but whether they refuse to go through it is up to them.

So many times in our lives, we are not in full alignment with God’s will because we believe God has not opened a certain door for us when in reality, He has. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always go through doors that God opens for me, or sometimes I delay to go through them, whether because of distraction, insecurity or fear. While reading this letter, I realised that I rarely pray for God to open a door for me to share the gospel. When an opportunity presents itself, I gladly take it and share the gospel with someone but I haven’t been intentional in praying to God to open doors of evangelism for me. I often pray that God would open doors for breakthrough, doors for healing, doors for provision and protection but often forget to pray for open doors that would lead me to making Him known to others. I am encouraged by the Apostle Paul who in Colossians 4:3 asks the church to pray for him that doors for the message of Christ would be opened. I am challenging you (and myself) to pray that God opens these kinds of doors. And when He opens the doors, may we be eager and ready to go through them!

The fact that this church has little strength left has not deterred them from an undivided devotion to Jesus. There is an erroneous brand of Christianity that is sometimes preached in the 21st century that encourages people to follow Jesus when it’s convenient for them. A Christianity that assures people that when they say Yes to Jesus, they have signed up for a life of ease and prosperity. Meanwhile Jesus, while He was on earth, emphasized that following Him will be countercultural and come at a great cost. That in this world we would have trouble but to take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). In fact, as John is writing these letters, He has been exiled to the island of Patmos as a result of his unwavering faith in Jesus. Yet Jesus, in this darkest moment of his life, is with him. 

In Job 2:9, Job’s wife urges him to curse God and die due to the sudden intense suffering, pain, illness and grief He was going through. However Job, with the little strength He had, chose to hold on to God. Jesus also, at the most difficult point of his life chose to surrender to the will of His father (Luke 22:42).

Jesus reminds the church in Philadelphia and the church today, even when it feels like life’s circumstances have sapped most of your strength, hold on to His word and do not deny His name. At one point or another, we as Christians will feel like we have little strength and we will have to choose to be steadfast and immovable (1 Corinthians 15:58) and remain faithful to God even in that state. When we hold on to Jesus even when our strength is failing, we realise that Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 ring true – that God’s strength is made perfect in our weaknesses.

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. 

Revelation 3:9 NIV

Jesus in his letter to the church in Smyrna previously referenced these people who claimed to be Jews but were not. They were Jews by name only but their actions proved otherwise. They persecuted the Christians in Philadelphia. Jesus encourages the church that He knows, He sees and He will vindicate them. The New King James Version uses the words ‘I will make them come and worship before your feet’. This doesn’t mean ‘I will make them come and worship you’ but carries the connotation of ‘I will make the come and worship with you.” Jesus will not vindicate them so they can brag and exalt themselves. Rather, by seeing the church’s undivided devotion to Jesus even in the face of persecution, these Jews would be turned away from their ways and worship Jesus. This letter is a reminder to the Christians today that everything we go through (even persecution) and everything we do is meant to glorify Jesus. In so doing, we will draw others unto Him.

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 

Revelation 3:10-11

There has been a recurring theme in most of the letters – Jesus’ instruction to remain faithful and to hold on. There is a reward for patient endurance. Now more than ever, the church needs to hear these words. In a world where there is an overload of information. So many religions, so many false prophets, so many people mixing God’s word with their own desires, temptations left and right geared to lure the church into compromise. Jesus sounds an alarm – HOLD ON! I AM COMING SOON.

The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.

Revelation 3:12

One thing I love about these letters to the churches is that they are very specific to the individual churches and contain references that would make perfect sense to them. The city of Philadelphia suffered many earthquakes. When these would happen, buildings collapsed but what often remained were pillars. The citizens of Philadelphia would have to flee from the city during these earthquakes to avoid being harmed by falling stones. Jesus assures them that to the one who is victorious, in patiently enduring and remaining faithful, he will make them a pillar in His temple. A symbol of stability and strength in a very shaky world. Pillars that stood on a firm foundation, which is Jesus himself. Never again would they have to flee. They would forever be firm and established in His temple.

Additionally, they would get a new name, a new identity. In the city of Philadelphia, distinguished citizens were often honored by inscribing their names on the pillars of the temples. To the faithful Christians in Philadelphia and in the world today, Jesus promises that they will be a perfect representation of His acceptance of them. They will be forever marked with His seal of approval. What else can ever compare to this?

 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Blessings,

Victor