Philadelphia, the youngest of all the cities addressed in John’s letters, was founded about 140 BC and the location where the access to Mysia, Lydia, and Phrygia meets.  It was literally the “gateway to the East.”  The founder was Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamum, the city was name after him as Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love).   It was intended to be a missionary city spreading the Greek language and culture in this area.  Because of its location at the junction of the trade routes leading to the eastern cities and its abundant grape harvest, Philadelphia was prosperous.  There were temples to many gods there, but in particular was the worship of Dionysos.  The city was plagued by hot springs and frequent earth quakes.   One such quake in AD 17 was so severe that the city was destroyed and received aide from the empire to rebuild.  The name of the city was changed to Neocaesarea to honor Tiberius for his assistance in the building expenses.  Under Vespasian the name was again changed to Flavia, but the original name seemed to stick no matter what.  The church was small in number, but faithful.  The enemies of the church were not from within the church but from outside (the local Jewish non-believers and the Roman empire).  Philadelphia and Smyrna have much in common.  Both are praised only, no rebuke; both suffered from the local non-believing Jews; both were persecuted by the Romans; both are told their plight is a result of Satan; and both are promised a crown.

 

v. 7 – Holy – (Hab. 3:3) is a term that relates only to God or the divine.  True is also a term that speaks of the purity at a higher level than humanly possible.  These terms show that Jesus is the Messiah and truly divine – deity.  The primary concern in this letter is the church’s concern with the Jews, so the opening verse starts off by Christ’s claim to be the true Messiah, who holds the keys of David.  Is. 22:22 speaks prophetically of the keys of David.  Here – a Key to a new door of opportunity.

 

v. 8 – Key to a door – to evangelize the Philidelphian Jews with the Truth of Jesus/Messiah.  A door Jesus has opened and no one can shut (Job. 12:14).

They (these Jews) rejected Jesus, God’s Messiah, and so are no longer true Jews.  They have been deceived and therefore now part of the synagogue of Satan. 

The church was small in number – not very strong – but they obeyed the Word and remained faithful in the face of persecution.  It’s easy to be faithful in peaceful surroundings, but what about when persecution comes?  Will we stay faithful then?  This is a tough call.

Set before them an open door – (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12).  Whether missionary or self-serving, the door gives entrance to the Kingdom of God.  Through Jesus there is a door opened to ALL that no one can shut – not even Satan. 

 

Ezek. 36:23 – An acknowledgement.  These Jews who are not Jews are liars – claiming to be Jews when the Christians are the true Jews now – Rom. 2:28-29.  These liars are of the synagogue of Satan – a false synagogue.  They remained dead in their traditions and Law, and rejected the Messiah of God.  They have become the persecutors of the church.  They missed Isaiah 60:14, which says the Jews will fall down at the feet of the true believers (Jews & Gentiles).  Christ has chosen to love true believers and all will acknowledge this at some point.  See. Ez. 37:27-28 – The nations will know …;  Is. 45:14b - … they will come and bow before you and acknowledge God …; Is. 49:6 – a light to the nations – to the Gentiles; Is. 43:4 – bow at your feet – because I love you.

 

So, it is NOT the Gentiles who need to be brought down for persecuting the Israel of God here.  It is the Jewish oppressors who are persecuting the church of Jesus Christ who God will bring down before them because they will see His love for them.  The church is the true Israel of God – because of Christ’s love and sacrifice.

 

 

v. 10 – “Since you have kept my command… I will keep you from trial…”  What command?  To endure patiently!  Patient endurance of persecution!  Trusting God to do what is right – to judge fairly – to put thing right in the end.  This test will come upon the whole world.  John usually means the whole heathen world when he refers like this.  A great test will come to give a final opportunity to the unbelieving world to turn and acknowledge God – (compassion of God).  But – the church will be kept by God through or from this test – We have already passed the test – we are believers.

 

v. 11 – Jesus is returning – coming soon – so hold on – keep a firm grip on …

So no one will take your crown – no one CAN take it, but it can be forfeited.  Be careful not to forfeit you crown!  Wreath – crown of victory – remain faithful.  There are several examples in Scripture of God removing His hand, anointing, blessing from those who forfeited their place.

 

v. 12 – Reward for the overcomer – will be a pillar in the Temple of My God – wow.  A pillar is a permanent fixture – in ancient Greek and Roman ruins the only things that remain standing in many locations are the pillars.  They are stationary, solid fixtures.  So there is a permanence in the Temple for the believers who are faithful and endure persecution.  The Temple represents the Presence of God and always has.  Believers will forever be in the presence of God.  “My God” is used four times in the one passage to drive home the point of the presence of God.

 

I will write on him the name of My God, the name of the city of My God…, and My new name.

In pagan cultic practice, when the priest’s term was over, there would be a statue to him erected, and his name and the name of his father were inscribed into the statue.  Here the pillar is the believer and into it will be inscribed the various names mentioned.  The people can relate to this concept.

Three names are inscribed on the pillar – not representing the Trinity as one might expect. 

The name of My God – a statement that the believer belongs to God.

The name of the city – New Jerusalem – the believer’s citizenship is in God’s Kingdom not here.

My new name – something that will be further revealed at Jesus' second coming – something to hope for – to encourage them to endure the persecution. 

Philadelphia already had its name changed a couple of times without any favorable results.  Now the hope of having their name changed to Jesus’ new name is an encouragement.  He is Holy and True. 

 

v. 13 - "Now hear this!"