Message to Philadelphia

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie–I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.

“Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; 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 My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches'” (Revelation 3:7-13 NASB 95).

Exhortations from Patmos

The Apostle John was exiled to the island of Patmos during the cruel reign of Domitian. John’s crime was that he proclaimed and shared the saving message of the Lord Jesus (Revelation 1:9). On Patmos, John received a prophetic revelation concerning not only the future but also seven letters to seven churches that existed in that time in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). These letters are filled with correction and encouragement not only for the believers in those days but also today.

In Jesus’ letter to the church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13), the Lord provides four criteria that identify a faithful church. In these two posts, we will explore each of these criteria as described in verse 8, where the Lord commends the church.

Going Through the Open Door

Jesus begins by stating that He had provided them with an “open door.” This term means to provide an opportunity for the work of ministry (see Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3).

Charles Swindoll writes, “As the geographical gateway to the East, Philadelphia sat at the crossroads of several languages, cultures, and people groups. From an evangelistic and missionary perspective, this dynamic, diminutive church had great opportunities for ministry.”^[1]

The Lord gives each church an opportunity to do the work of ministry. However, will the members go through the door and take advantage of the opportunity? Warren Wiersbe once wrote, “Unbelief sees the obstacles, but faith sees the opportunities.”^[2] The Philadelphians were exhorted to remain faithful by using the ministry opportunities the Lord had given them.

Are you taking the opportunities the Lord gives you to share the gospel and to serve Him? Perhaps this is in your local church, place of work, or any number of other opportunities.

The first characteristic of a faithful church is that it takes advantage of the opportunities that the Lord provides them. But the Philadelphians have a problem. How will they fulfill this if they have little power?

Relying on the Lord’s Strength

The church is also described as having “little power” or “strength” yet commended for its good works. What is the Lord referring to? Robert Thomas summarizes this well by stating that “little power” must refer to the church’s limited influence because of its numerical smallness.”^[3] In other words, even though they were small numerically, the Lord provided the power they needed to serve and remain faithful to Him. The second characteristic of a faithful church is that it recognizes that its power comes from the Lord, not from itself.

“Numerically, the church was not very strong, but God had infused this faithful group with spiritual power enabling them to be true to His name in the midst of satanic opposition. God does not need naturally gifted vessels for His service (1 Corinthians 1:26-29), but yielded people through whom He can minister (2 Corinthians 4:7). Effective service does not depend upon the size of a church but upon its availability to be used.”^[4]

Too often, we assume that if we have few people and limited resources, we cannot achieve anything significant for the Lord. The world may not find a church (or individual) with little strength appealing. However, the Lord teaches us here that He takes pleasure in weak vessels that are surrendered to Him.

The second characteristic of a faithful church is that it relies on the Lord for strength. What are you relying on?

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV).

Blessings,

Dr. Steven F. Pace

Senior Pastor
Decatur Bible Church

https://www.decaturbible.org/
https://www.decaturbible.org/pages/pastors-page
https://www.youtube.com/@decaturbiblechurch1879

[1] Swindoll’s Living Insights – NT Commentary – Revelation, pg. 73.
[2] Warren Wiersbe. The Bible Exposition Commentary, Ephesians – Revelation.
[3] Robert L. Thomas. Revelation 1-7 – An Exegetical Commentary, pg. 279.
[4] David M. Levy. Revelation – Hearing the Last Word, pg. 55.

From 1 John 2:18-25, “Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore, we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out that it might become plain that they are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you not because you do not know the truth, but you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.

“Who is the liar, but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father (also John 14:6). Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you…. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He made to us – Eternal Life.” (ESV all emphasis is mine)

At the time John wrote this epistle, there were already false prophets and antichrists in the world. Just imagine the ground that’s been covered by them in almost 2,000 years. Jesus told us their activity would increase as we approach the end of this age, and what we’re witnessing is a fulfillment of all these prophecies.

Our Savior told us the world would hate us, and today we are witnessing His followers being called “haters” because we will not accept their sinful ways. We love the sinners as Our Savior commanded us to, but what God calls abominations, we do not have to accept or participate in (John 16:33).

Going all the way back to Joshua 24:15, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Ammonites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:3-4; “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

Some former biblical-based evangelical churches are turning more and more away from preaching the true and complete word of the Lord. Satan is using false prophets to infiltrate congregations to present “ear-tickling messages” and “heart-thumping upbeat music” to give the membership a real good feeling. The seats and collection plates are filled at each meeting. Biggest issue is, the pathway to a true and lasting relationship leading to eternal Salvation with our Savior is not found in these services.

One has to listen to any message with an open mind and follow up by searching the true word of the Father. Sadly, there are many people who take the “speaker” at his or her word and rarely, if ever, open a Bible for themselves. At an earlier time in my life, I was at that point. Once I personally started reading the Word for myself, I discovered there had been a lot of untruths given to me.

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, as Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:10. He states, “It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith, and pierced themselves with many pangs.” There are some “evangelists” that preach a prosperity doctrine that says God owes us. Having read through the Father’s Word several times and continuing to read each day, I have never come across any scriptures that will back that theory up.

Our Heavenly Father showed His total love for us by sending His Son to our sin-filled earth to provide the only sin-free blood sacrifice that He could totally accept. John 10:18 tells us that Jesus said He came willingly for us. Our Savior bled and died a cruel death on a terrible cross, and He suffered for sins He never committed. The blood was shed for you and for me so that we could have a pathway that we could never buy or earn for ourselves (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There is a wonderful hymn written by Dale Golden, and he and his wife Cheryl recorded it. The title is “Read Between the Lines” and tells us of our Savior’s most precious gift He provided for us.

1.) One day, a Man walked on this earth who loved us more than life; before we breathed a breath, He came to die. And purchased sweet Salvation with His life’s blood-saving grace, to suffer in the flesh for you and I.

Ref.) Touch the stripes of pain and deepest sorrow Jesus willingly bore in our name, though it was not He who caused this greatest shame. Feel each wound of sin, would find its marker; see the mocking words up on the sign. They say “I Love You” if you read between the lines.

2.) Tormented by the ones He loved then riven in His side; this agony endured in love so true. His final pleading words for mercy spread His gift of life; “Forgive Them, For They Know Not What They Do!” (ref)

Because of our Savior’s sinless blood sacrifice, Psalm 103:11-12 definitely applies to us. For all who have received and accepted Jesus as their Savior by following the simple steps of Romans 10:9-13, our Salvation is a promise from the Father, and God doesn’t lie (Titus 1:2). Our sins are removed as far as east is from west, and it’s as if we did not sin at all. We will have a Home in Heaven with our wonderful Shepherd. When, not if, we do slip and sin, He provided 1 John 1:8-10 as the way to receive forgiveness.

For all who do not accept Jesus as their Savior before taking their last breath on this earth, their forever will be in Hell. There is no other option, and at the White Throne Judgment of Revelation 20:11-15, there will be no forgiveness, no pardons, and it will be eternal darkness forever.

Unlike what many may believe, God does not sit on His throne just waiting to be able to punish us. He would rather that we all repent and spend eternity with Him (1 Peter 3:9 and Ezekiel 33).

Finally, God will force no one to accept Jesus and be saved. He will honor all who do receive and accept His Son, but for all who do not, He allows them to choose the lake of fire and be with Satan forever.

It should be a simple choice to make, but Satan is working overtime to draw as many souls away from Jesus as he can. Don’t let him get yours. Call out to Jesus to receive your Salvation today. You’ll be eternally thankful that you did.

Shalom – Peace!

huebshman46@gmail.com