The Faithful Church
Not all the churches received a rebuke. Some remained faithful.
7 “To the angel of the church of Philadelphia write,”
Unlike Sardis, the walls of the ancient city of Philadelphia (now called Alasehir) still stand, and it is still inhabited. The city is located in an area prone to frequent earthquakes. Therefore, it has never been more than a small town. The church, too, remained rather small and feeble. The Philadelphia church did not receive a lot of pagan persecution; the majority came from Jews, the “synagogue of Satan.”
An earthquake in 17AD destroyed the city, along with the pagan temples. Workers rebuilt the city but not the temples, due to the large Jewish presence.
7 “To the angel of the church of Philadelphia write,
‘These things says 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.”
“… He who is true …”
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life …” John 14:6. God is not a man, that He can lie. If your calendar says it’s Saturday, you might say, “Thank you, Lord for this beautiful Saturday.” If He says to you, “Today is Tuesday,” it’s Tuesday. You better change your calendar.
The Greek word for truth used here is alēthinos. Strong’s defines it as: “in every respect corresponding to the idea signified by the name; real, true, genuine.”
Key: The key to this church is in verses 7&12. “… He who holds the key of David …”
Jesus was in the direct line of David, through Rahab, the harlot, and Ruth, her grand daughter. (Matthew 1:5) He was the Son of David, the prophesied One, the Messiah.
Jehovah did not allow David to build His temple, though he fervently desired to do so. God called him “a man of war and blood.” (1Chronicles 28:3) God told David that his son, Solomon, would build the temple in his place, without David’s hands on the job. David died never seeing the temple completed.
This was a shadow of things to come. Jesus, the Son of David, became the temple built without hands; He is the temple David wanted to build, but didn’t get a chance to see on earth. Mark 14:58
“… He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.” This is a quote from Isaiah 22:22. Jesus died and went into hell in our place. He was there three days. But Satan couldn’t hold Him. When He rose again from the dead, He seized the keys to hell and death from Satan, and took captivity captive.
The keys now belong to Jesus the Victor! As His body, the church shares those keys with Him. What we bind on earth is bound in heaven, and what we loose on earth is loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19, Job 12:14
Have you bound Satan lately? Loosed prosperity and healing? Christian, either you bind Satan, or he’ll bind you. That’s why Jesus gave you the keys.
8 “I know your works. See, I set before you an open door, and no one can shut it, for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and not denied my name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie- indeed I will make them come and worship at your feet, and to know that I have loved you.”
“… I set before you an open door, and no one can shut it …”
Very simple, church. He knows our works. If we keep His word and don’t deny His name, He will set an open door to heaven for us, that no one, not even Satan and his hordes, can close. It doesn’t take much strength, just faith the size of a mustard seed. Luke 17:6
“… the synagogue of Satan …”
The Master called the Jews of Philadelphia, “the synagogue of Satan.” They believed they were the only open door to heaven. But it is Jesus who is the door no man can shut or open.
John 10:7-9.
Before Messiah returns, there will be an outpouring of the Spirit and worldwide revival. Many Jews will hear, their eyes will be opened, and many will believe, but not all. When Jesus returns (Jesus’ 2nd coming) every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. Philippians 2:10-11
At that time even unbelieving Jews will bow and confess that Jesus, whom they persecuted, is Lord. And the faithful Jews, Christians, and believers will rule and reign with him. This will be fitting compensation for the small, struggling band of Christians of the Philadelphia church.
“… worship before your feet …” Will they indeed worship us? You may say, “But we’re not worthy!” Let’s find out.
As a triune being, God consists of three parts: Spirit, Soul, and Body, as does mankind.
Soul – The Father. The Father is the soul of God; His essence, His thoughts, His power. Isaiah 55:9
Spirit – The Holy Spirit is the spiritual manifestation of God; His presence; His anointing power. “The Spirit of God hovered over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2 AMPC “And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him (Samson), and he tore the lion …” Judges 14:6
Body – The Son, the Word. Jesus is the Son; the physical manifestation of God. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:14 AMPC
How can man worship only two parts of a three part being? When Jesus returns and Philippians 2:10 is fulfilled, all creation will worship a complete three part God; Spirit, Soul, and Body. Christians need to realize we are the body of Christ. 1Corinthians 12:27
The Greek word used for body in 1Corinthians is Sōma. It means: the body; Literally, the physical body of a man or animal; that which casts a shadow.
We are the physical body of Jesus Christ on earth. Think about it.
10 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
Because you persevere and overcome, He will keep you from the hour of trial. Do you want to avoid the Tribulation? Overcome and keep His commands. Psalm 91:7
In Exodus 12, God’s final wrath against Egypt was the death of all firstborn in the land. This would include the Hebrews. To save His People, God commanded them to sprinkle the blood of a sacrifice on their door posts and lintel. “And when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:13
During times of tribulation, the sacrificial blood on our door posts is the blood shed by Jesus on the cross.
“… Behold, I am coming quickly!” Don’t despair, don’t give up or quit. Hang on, I’m coming!
“… no one may take your crown.” The crown referred to here is the victor’s crown, the laurel wreath of Revelation 2:10. A symbol of victory, it is called the Crown of Life in James 1:12
12 “He who overcomes, I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write upon 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 My new name.”
“… pillar in the temple of My God …” The pillars were an intrinsic part of the temple. See 1 Kings 7:21. The pillars referred to are those on either side of the temple entry way, supporting the roof as well as the weight of two massive gold-covered doors. Each pillar received a name.
The right pillar: Jochin. “He will establish.”
The left pillar: Boaz. “In strength.”
God will establish believers as pillars to strengthen the temple, which is the church, the body of Christ. Disciples are the entryway through which all who wish to enter must pass. Jesus said, “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 AMPC, also John 10:9
We are His body and voice on earth. If we don’t tell them, how will they hear? Romans 10:14
“… he shall go out no more …” Who would want to? Psalm 23:6
“… And I will write on him My new name …” Believers, as children of the Father, receive His name when we are adopted into the Body of Christ. As His children, He gives us the authority to use His name. All the Father possesses belongs to His children. His name is on the bank account; He gives us the right to make a withdrawal from His account whenever we have a need. Just use His name make a claim. All it takes is faith to believe. Luke 15:31-32
“… the New Jerusalem …” The name Jerusalem, means, “set ye double peace,” (KJV) or “The City of Peace.” Salem, or shalom, is “Peace” in Hebrew.
According to Strong’s Concordance, New Jerusalem is a metaphor, symbolic for “The city of God founded by Jesus; embodied by the church on earth.” In this verse we see the return of all the raptured Christians and resurrected saints who spent the tribulation time in heaven at the wedding supper of the Lamb. This is the New Jerusalem that comes down to earth. She will come down “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:2) A physical city would make a stiff bride. More on this, including the dimensions of the city and their meanings, in chapter 21.
Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem, Genesis 14:18), is a type of Jesus, high priest of His church. The New Jerusalem is the glorified church. Revelation 20:6
“… a new name …” Revelation 2:17
Most translations use “My new name,” which refers to Jesus. Jesus will be crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As His body, we shall also receive that name. It will be our source of authority, power and strength. He will engrave His name on our foreheads, and we will even look like Him. (The forehead is symbolic for the thought life.) Revelation 22:4, 14:1