“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name” (Rev. 3:7-12).

The church at Philadelphia is commended by the Lord as…

A Blessed Church:Jesus said, “See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it” (Rev. 3:8). This door could have been a door of opportunity to teach others (cf. 2 Cor. 2:12). This could also be a door of fellowship with the Lord (cf. Rev. 3:20). This door would remain open as long as they were faithful unto the Lord (cf. Jn. 10:27-30). Let us ever strive to keep the door of fellowship with the Lord open.

A Diligent Church:Of the church at Philadelphia it is written, “I know your works…for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Rev. 3:8). It is impressive that though they had “a little strength,” they had persevered. They had also kept the word of the Lord and not abandoned it as some of the other churches were chastised for doing. It is also noteworthy that even in the face of persecution (v. 9), they had not denied the name of Jesus, but had remained faithful to Him. In all these things, the diligence of the church at Philadelphia can be seen. May we ever have this effort and exhibit these qualities!

A Loved Church:Because of the way the brethren at Philadelphia had walked before the Lord, they were loved by Him. In fact, the liars of “the synagogue of Satan” would be made to know that the Lord loved this church. We must always have the attitude that we will serve the Lord no matter what others may think or do. One day, by faithful service, all will be made to know that the Lord loves those who truly follow Him.

A Persevering Church:The church at Philadelphia had kept the Lord’s command to persevere (Rev. 3:10). We are need of perseverance. To the Corinthians it was written, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58). We also learn that those who persevere will be preserved by the Lord. Jesus said that because they had persevered they would be kept from the tribulation which was approaching. May we always remember that, “the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…” (2 Peter 2:9). Let us persevere!

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches”

David Eldridge