TEACHING NOTES Part 8: The Church in Philadelphia Introduction In this session, we are continuing our study of the seven churches to whom the book of Revelation was written. Each church receives a specific introduction, positive or negative comments, instructions, and promises. The church in Philadelphia is much like the church in Smyrna, who were small, poor, and not very influential. They are also suffering persecution from the Jewish community. But Jesus is impressed with this church and gives them strong encouragement. The Church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13) Location: (see map) Historical Context: Philadelphia (“brotherly love”) was the only city of the seven in Revelation that was not a major city in Asia Minor, but it was located on a major highway that connected Pergamum to south Asia Minor. This made Philadelphia strategically important to settlers and military personnel. The earthquake of AD 17 badly damaged the city and led Emperor Tiberius to remit taxes for five years. Philadelphia was most famous for producing wine and wool. However, in AD 92 Emperor Domitian ordered half of their vineyards to be cut down so more corn could be produced. This was a major blow to Philadelphia’s economy. Sometime between AD 98-117, Ignatius (Bishop of Antioch) wrote a letter to the church in Philadelphia. Ignatius had visited the church and apparently had conflict with Jews. Ignatius told the church to avoid listening to the Jews who are not Jews and to be unified with their church leaders. Some scholars have argued that Philadelphia may have been the prime region for the growth of Montanism, which was a heretical group that emphasized prophetic utterance and ecstatic worship. Ancient Montanism has many similarities with the modern Pentecostal movement. The church in Philadelphia continued to grow and AD 600 a massive church was built in honor of John. However, Muslim forces destroyed most of the city between 1074 and 1094. Introduction of the Son of Man ​ Revelation 3:7 ESV 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. Holy one, true one = In Revelation, Jesus is called “holy and true” several times (Rev. 3:14; 6:10; 19:11). The key of David = Jesus is quoting from the Messianic prophesy in Isa. 22:22 “And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” This sounds similar to what Jesus said to the apostles in Matt. 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” The Positive ​ Revelation 3:8 ESV 8 “ ‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I have set before you an open door = This is connected to the previous introduction of the Son of Man (Jesus) as the One who has the key of David. In the Gospel of John, Jesus refers to Himself by saying, “I am the door” (John 10:9). Everywhere else the open door is mentioned in the NT, it is in the context of the Gospel spreading to the Gentiles (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3). Therefore, the “open door” here in Revelation likely means that Jesus is making a way for the Gospel to spread through the church in Philadelphia. It could also be a contrast for how Christians had been shut out of the Jewish synagogue. Another option is that Philadelphia would be a place of refuge during the various wars, since Jesus promises that Philadelphia would be “kept from the hour of trial” (Rev. 3:10). I know you have but little power = This indicates that the church in Philadelphia is likely small and poor, much like the church in Smyrna. The church in Philadelphia and in Smyrna were the poorest of the seven churches, but are the only churches that receive no negative comments from Jesus. You have kept my word, have not denied my name = Early Christians were often faced with denying their association with the name of Jesus or being killed. Acts repeatedly tells us that the early church was willing and excited to suffer and die for the name of Jesus (Acts 5:41; 15:25-26; 21:13). ​ Revelation 3:9 ESV 9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Synagogue of Satan = Already mentioned in Rev. 2:9 in the letter to Smyrna, some influential Jews in these Gentile cities were persecuting the churches. This may be further evidence that Revelation was written before the Jewish War began in Jerusalem. Jews lost much of their influence in Roman cities after Jerusalem rebelled against Rome. I will make them bow down before your feet = This idea comes from Isa. 60:14 “The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending low to you, and all who despised you shall bow down at your feet; they shall call you the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.” Notice that in Isaiah, God’s people are called “the City of the Lord.” This is exactly what is said of the Bride of Christ—the church is called “the New Jerusalem” (Rev. 21:2, 9-10), which is also going to be introduced at the end of this letter to Philadelphia (Rev. 3:12). They will learn that I have loved you = This may have a double-meaning: (1) The Jews were about to be severely persecuted as a result of their rebellion against Rome in Jerusalem. After the Jewish War ended, many Christians ministered to the Jews and even took them into their homes. (2) Jesus promised the apostles that in the new creation they would sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28). ​ Revelation 3:10 ESV 10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. You have kept my word about patient endurance = Patient endurance was first mentioned in Rev. 1:9, when John states that he is their “brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus.” Patient endurance is a major theme in Revelation because the readers would soon experience a time of tribulation, both in Jerusalem and in the Roman cities. This time of tribulation would tempt follower of Jesus to deny their faith in order to survive persecution. See Rev. 13:10; 14:12. The hour of trial = The Greek word translated “trial” here is peirasmos, which means a test or examination. Persecution and tribulation was coming soon and would reveal the authenticity of those who say they follow Jesus. The intended image here is one of a courtroom trial. Of the seven churches, Philadelphia is the only church that Jesus promises will be “kept from” or protected from the tribulation. The whole world = The Greek word translated “world” here is oikoumene, which refers not to the entire globe but to the inhabited area known at the time. For example, Luke 2:1 says “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world [oikoumene] should be registered.” Luke is using oikoumene to refer to the entire Roman empire. Caesar Augustus could not have been taking a census of the entire globe or even all the nations. Oikoumene does not mean the entire world. The Negative: None Instructions ​ Revelation 3:11 ESV 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. I am coming soon = This cannot refer to the final return of Christ, because we know that His final return is yet to come. The Greek word for “soon” used here is tachys, and always means soon, quickly, or without delay in the New Testament. Therefore, this “coming” must refer to Jesus coming in judgment as mentioned in Rev. 1:7 “Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.” Hold fast what you have = This same phrase is used in the letter to Thyatira, who had little left to hold on to. Since the church in Philadelphia is poor and not very influential, Jesus wants them hold fast to their faith and patient endurance. Your crown = Smyrna, the other poor church being persecuted by Jews, was also promised the crown of life (Rev. 2:10). The crown of life is a symbol of victory and the reward of eternal life. In Rev. 4:4, 10-11, John sees a vision of the throne in heaven where 24 elders are casting their crowns before the throne in worship. Promises ​ Revelation 3:12–13 ESV 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ The one who conquers = Again, conquering by holding fast in faith and loyalty to Jesus is what He expects from all seven churches. I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God = In Revelation, John is given visions of the heavenly temple (Rev. 7:15; 11:19; 14:15; 16:1), which is in contrast to the corrupt temple still standing in Jerusalem at the time John wrote (Rev. 11:1-2). By the end of Revelation, we find that in the new creation there is no temple at all, because God Himself is the temple (Rev. 21:22). Also, in the cities of the seven churches, it was common practice for temples to have the names of the elite inscribed on its pillars. Faithful believers are promised to be the pillars of God’s temple and receive a new name. I will write on him the name of my God = Bearing the name of God comes from the 3rd commandment in Ex. 20:7 “You shall not take [bear, carry] the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Later in Revelation, we read that the 144,000 Jewish Christians have Jesus’ name and the Father’s name on their heads (Rev. 14:1), and in the new creation all believers have His name on their heads (Rev. 22:4). Just as Israel was called to “bear the name” of Yahweh properly, followers of Jesus are called to do the same. The new Jerusalem = Jesus mentions the new Jerusalem here but doesn’t describe it in detail until Rev. 21. This also happens in John’s Gospel, where he will mention something early in the story as if you already know about it, but he hasn’t even told you about it yet (John 1:15, 27, 30 and John 11:2; 12:3). This indicates that John’s writings are meant to be read repeatedly. The new Jerusalem is a symbol of God’s people (the Church) as the Bride of Christ (Rev. 21:9-10). Application for Today The poor, small, and insignificant in the eyes of the world are rich, strong, and exalted in God’s eyes. Why would we strive to be rich, strong, and exalted in the world’s kingdom? God often uses the least to do His greatest work. When hard times come, those who are already acquainted with suffering are used by God to help others. Faithfulness to Jesus and patient endurance is the only way to overcome the suffering we are guaranteed to experience.