7 Churches of Revelation: Philadelphia  

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

Revelation 3: 7.  "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, `These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens'':  know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I come quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'' 

The city has had a number of names through its existence. "Philadelphia" honors Attalus II who was honored for his loyalty with the nickname Philadelphos, literally one who loves his brother, by his elder brother. 

Brotherly love in the biblical sense is an extension of the natural affection associated with near kin, toward the greater community of fellow believers, that goes beyond the mere duty.   

Luke 10: 25-29  And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'' He said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?'' So he answered and said, " `You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and `your neighbor as yourself.'  And He said to him, "You have answered righhtly; do this and you will live.'' But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?'' 

Like the lawyer, we want to inherit eternal life and we often think that following a prescribed procedure is what is required.  He was willing to help his neighbor but unwilling to love someone who was not a neighbor. 

Jesus answered, (Luke 10:30-37) 30.  Then Jesus answered and said: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  

On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, `Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?'' And he said, "He who showed mercy on him.'' Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise.'' 

In other words, don’t be concerned about who your neighbor is.  Be concerned about being a neighbor.  Don’t be concerned about who your brother is.  Be the brother. 

John 13: 34-35; "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.'' 

 
Because of their love, the church of Philadelphia had an open door.  Jesus not only possessed the key to the blessings of the Kingdom; He is the key. Jesus was the center of their worship. 

The church had only a little strength. Their strength was small, but that wasn’t a problem because God’s strength is more than sufficient to bring the members of the synagogue to satan to their knees.  

2 Corinthians 12: 9.  And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 

Jesus praised the church because they have kept the word of God.  It is impossible to keep the word of God if we don’t know the word of God. 

Psalm 119: 11-12: Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes.” 

The Body of Christ, in unity, comprises the Temple in the world today.  The pillars, the support of the Temple, are those who keep sincerely the Word of God in loving one another.