Commission:
to the angel of the church in
Philadelphia. The city name means
“brotherly love,” being named after a nearby who befriended his brother. It was not a capital or military city but was
a missionary city for the spread of
Greek culture. It sat on the Imperial
Post Road (an important mail route in
Rome). There was a large Jewish
settlement in the city and was a center for Christianity well into the 14th
century, finally succumbing to the Turks in 1390.
Character
of Christ: The description of Christ as having the key of David and who opens
and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens is not anchored in the vision
of Rev. 1 as have previous descriptions.
Explanation of this may rest in Isa. 22:20-24 where a servant of God who
was uniquely faithful in the days of Hezekiah (2 Ki. 18:18) became what we
might call the city manager, given
the keys of the house of David. He had
authority to open and shut the doors of the treasury to provide for the
city. In similar fashion Christ had the keys of David to open the treasures
of heaven to provide for His people. It
is the key of David because Jesus’
authority extends to the fulfilling of the covenant with David and to rule from
his throne.
Commendation:
Jesus recognizes this church as small or weak but incredibly faithful. Because of this He makes several promises. First, He sets before them an open door, one
that allows their lamp to burn brightly.
Second, He promises that they will have an effectiveness against the
greatest powers of Satan (the synagogue
of Satan as in 2:9 likely refers to a Jewish synagogue that was the source
of persecution and opposition to the gospel).
Third, He promises to keep them from the hour of trial that will come on the whole world. Given the world-wide tribulation in view here
many see the future time of Jacob’s
trouble or the coming tribulation period in view here. If these churches reflect the history of the
Church, Philadelphia might represent the Church of the 1700 to 1900’s with its
amazing missions outreach to the world.
Over the years we have been aware of many smaller churches, often in
rural America, that were powerfully involved in preaching the gospel to the
ends of the earth.
Condemnation:
There is no condemnation.
Correction:
This is more an encouragement to “hold fast” what they had. Perhaps the church of little strength might be tempted to gain strength (size?) by
sacrificing faithfulness to the door Christ opened for them.
Challenge:
Overcomers will have a special place in the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:9-22:5), the
dwelling place of Christ with His Church.
Their strength will be as the pillar of the temple and their security seen
in the names written on them by Christ. What a hope for the one who has little
strength on earth but is faithful.
Call:
He who has an ear let Him hear what the
Spirit says to the churches.
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