Steve Grant
Series in Revelation
Performance Review Of The Churches, Part 7: Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7-13
19 November 2017
The letter to the church in Philadelphia opens with Christ proclaiming His holiness - His perfect nature as God. He holds the key of David, which is a picture of authority. He alone can open the city of David to whomever He chooses, as He is the door to eternal life (John 10:7).
He says to the church, "I know your deeds, that you have little strength, and didn't deny my name." Because they had been faithful witnesses of Him, He kept an open door before them, which represents opportunities to serve. We deny the name of God when we do not live by His Word, but we can uphold it by faithfully following Him.
Because they were faithful, Jesus says He will keep them from the hour of tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4:16). They were commanded to hold fast to the Scriptures so they receive a full reward (2 John 1:8). Jesus promises four eternal blessings to them, and to us: making them a permanent "pillar," or part of the heavenly city; having God's name written on them; having an eternal citizenship; and having Christ's new name written on them.
Like the church at Philadelphia, our call is to hold firm and true to God and His Scriptures. The promise of eternal life for the faithful is not just for them, but for us too.