The Book of Revelation has seven letters written to seven churches in Asia Minor. These seven churches represent the church throughout the church age until Jesus returns. This sixth church is the church of Philadelphia.

1 – The city of Philadelphia (vs. 7

Philadelphia was a city was known as the “doorway to the East.” It lies at the eastern end of a broad valley which it shares with Smyrna on the Aegean Sea and Sardis half-way in-between. Passing through Philadelphia was a trade route to the riches of the Orient. An imperial post route from Rome passed through Philadelphia to the far-eastern portions of the empire. The city sat on a fault line; frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity bred a constant fear and forced evacuations. The city had to be rebuilt and even renamed, and the Christians living there not only had physical uncertainty, they also lived in the midst of persecution for their faith.

2. The character of Christ (vs. 7

Notice three things:-

• His attributes.

1. He is holy. There is no one truly holy but God Himself. They could find no fault in Jesus. Even Satan and demons had to admit that Jesus was holy. The angels had to admit that Jesus was holy.
2. He is true. It describes someone who is genuine. You can depend upon Jesus Christ. It is more than telling the truth. Jesus is the real thing!

• His authority – He has the key of David. See Isaiah 22. Eliakim had the keys to all the doors in the palace. Jesus has complete control.

1. Jesus has opened the door for service and it is up to the church to take the opportunity.
2. Jesus has opened the door to satisfaction. A lot of us act as if God is dead. He can meet our needs to our satisfaction.

• His activity – When God opens a door, no man can shut it! God can bless you and there is nothing anyone else can do about it. God can close and no man can open it. God can close a door for greater blessings. God is sovereign and we should not worry. You can’t count on people to always be there for you.

3. The control of Christ (vs. 8-11)

Notice three things:-

• He controls the Christians (vs. 8).

1. Their weakness. It was not a big church but the power of God was there.
2. Their willingness. They have not denied the Lord. They have kept the Word of the Lord above their own needs. They loved the Word of God. They didn’t come for entertainment. They had kept the name of Jesus lifted high.

• He controls the critics (vs. 9). The devil had his people in church. Not all people who come to church are Christians. God takes control of the critics. The critics will bow the knee before those who are following the Lord. The Lord could take care of the lions in Daniel’s den and he can take care of your critics. We are to keep our eyes upon the Lord and not the critics.
• He controls the crisis (vs. 10-11). There is a great tribulation to come. The church will be kept out of the great tribulation to come. The Lord will deliver the church from the air. The Lord is coming quickly. We need to keep on working for the Lord. We are to keep on running so we get our victor’s crown.

4. The conquest of Christ (vs. 12-13)

Notice two things:-

• We get a new position – We are a pillar in the temple of God. You may be weak here but you will be strong in Heaven.
• We get a new possession – We will get a new name written upon us. We are owned by Jesus Christ. We are his children. We have something glorious to look forward to. We will be his permanent possession.

Categories: Revelation