Revelation 3:7; Philadelphia
Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Philadelphia is 50 km from Sardis this 6thchurch as we continue this scenic drive through the 7 churches in Turkey. They are located within driving distances. Beginning at Ephesus, the church in Smyrna is like the distance to Kulai in Johor and by Pergamos, we would be reaching Muar and as for Thyatira, we would have arrived in Malacca, and passing Sardis in Seremban, you reach Philadelphia as you would arrive at Port Dickson.
We move closer chronologically speaking to the close of the church age at the end of Revelation chapter 3. And in chapter 4, we have a glimpse of the raptured church, the church in heaven, at the throne room of God where the saints testified for us, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created”(Revelation 4:11).
Dear brethren, are you ready? How can we be ready? The church in Philadelphia was ready. Philadelphia was a faithful church. Verse 10 of our text says, “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
A time of Great Tribulation is coming upon planet earth and the promise to the faithful church that she will be delivered from the judgment to come.
The name Philadelphia means “brotherly love”. Though located at an elevation of 800 feet, it was not a military outpost like Thyatira but was the center for trade and the spread of Greek culture, being located at the junction of several important trade routes bordering regions Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia. It is called the “gateway to the East”. And so, it was located in a prime location of gospel opportunity and missionary endeavours. It is also a danger zone because it is located near active volcanoes and earthquakes, the land is fertile but the people are on their toes all the time, ready to evacuate.
This city worships many gods. It is known for its idolatry. It was known also for its idolatry and was nicknamed “little Athens” because of the abundance of pagan temples. Many pagan temples can be seen as you travel in Biblical times among which the principal deity was Dionysus, the god of wine. Perhaps from the fertile ground, many wineries were located there.
Unlike the church in Sardis which our Lord says is dead, the church in Philadelphia is alive and thriving. Recall the three thoughts that described the church life of Sardis – alive yet dead, living and slumbering and finally living and thriving.
We shall understand from this text what it means to be a living and thriving church as we look at this church in Philadelphia. This is the only other church after Smyrna, the persecuted church, where our Lord commended.
Thank God for His faithful church. Amen.