This document provides details about the biblical city of Philadelphia and analyzes the letter written to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-13. It describes Philadelphia's location and history, then examines each part of the letter - the identification of Jesus, his assessment of the church's faithfulness, his promises to protect them and make them pillars in the new Jerusalem, and his call to listen to what the Spirit says. Key points are summarized in bullet points under each section.
3. Philadelphia:
Notable Information About Philadelphia
Known for its adherence to and propagation of
Hellenistic thought. Sometimes referred to as Little
Athens.
Located on the main route of the Imperial Post to the
East. Known as the gateway or door to the east.
Founded on geological fault line. Prone to Earthquakes
and volcanic eruption.
Close proximity to Catacecaumene, volcanic burnt land,
which separated the provinces of Lydia and Phrygia.
Volcanic soil was conducive to growing grapes
4. Philadelphia:
Address - To the angel of the church in Philadelphia
write:
Identification - 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.
Holy - Set apart, different - He didnt achieve a
standard of holiness He is the standard.
True - The one, true God. He is authentic, not
manufactured. He is the original, not a copy.
5. Philadelphia:
Identification - 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.
Who holds the key of David (Isaiah 22:20-22)
Eliakim is summoned by God to replace
Shebna, as the palace steward or administrator
for Hezekiah. Everything and everybody that got
to the king came through him.
Jesus alone is the one who opens and shuts
doors
6. Philadelphia:
Account: 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.
An Open Door -
Access to God through Jesus (contrasted
against a closed door to the synagog from the
Jews)
An opportunity to be witnesses to others
7. Philadelphia:
Account: 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.
An Open Door -
Little Strength -
Small in Number
Little influence or significance
8. Philadelphia:
Account: 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.
An Open Door -
Little Strength -
Kept my word - No compromise
Not denied my name - Faithful witness
9. Philadelphia:
Assessment: 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. 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.
Synagogue of Satan - (Smyrna 2:9)
Not Jews - Rejected Jesus, New Israel
Liars - Fabricated stories to bring persecution on
Christians
10. Philadelphia:
Assessment: 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. 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.
Fall down at your feet, I have loved you - ?
11. Philadelphia:
Assessment: 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. 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.
癌Since - cause and effect clause - I will
Endure patiently - Faithful Witness
Keep you from the hour of trial
1. Pre-Trib Rapture, Mid-Trib Rapture
2. Shield them from intensity, or serious effects of the
tribulation
3. Protect spiritually from any threats posed to their faith by
the coming tribulation.
12. Philadelphia:
Exhortation: I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have,
so that no one will take your crown.
I am coming soon- Encouragement, Watchfulness,
Hold on to what you have - Resist the draw of compromise
no one will take your crown - The victors crown
13. Philadelphia:
Promise: 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.
Pillar in the Temple of my God
Ancient cities often honored great leaders by
erecting pillars with their names inscribed on them
In the Temple of my God refers to their place of
acceptance in the true temple, no court of gentiles
Never again will they leave it - Reference to the seismic
activity of the area
14. Philadelphia:
Promise: 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.
Naming shows exercise of authority and claim of
possession
Name of God - as their possession
Name of the city of my God - as their citizenship
My new name - as a sign of personal relationship