The sixth church addressed in the book of Revelation was in Philadelphia. This is the only place where this city is mentioned in the Bible. It was likely a smaller church, yet the Lord told them about their great opportunity to spread the gospel.
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; 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 My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” (Revelation 3:7-13).
About the City
Philadelphia was located where Mysia, Lydia, and Phrygia met. It was a “gateway to the East”* – similar to how St. Louis is called “the gateway to the West.” As American settlers moved across the continent toward the West, many would pass through St. Louis. The city of Philadelphia was “built with the deliberate intention that it might become a missionary city,” a place through which Greek language and culture could spread into “the wilds of Phrygia.”**
Like Sardis, Philadelphia was devastated by an earthquake in 17 A. D. The Roman emperor Tiberias remitted taxes and contributed to its rebuilding efforts. As a sign of appreciation, the city briefly changed its name to Neocaesarea (The New Town of Caesar), but that did not last.*** Before long, it reverted to the original name, Philadelphia, which was in place when the Lord addressed them.
Letter to the Church
The letter to the church in Philadelphia differed slightly from the structure of the others, similar to the one sent to Smyrna. Both of these letters were missing the sections about condemnations and warnings about punishment because these did not need to be addressed with these two churches.
- Description of Jesus – In this “missionary city” established to take Greek culture to the outside world, Jesus identified Himself as “holy” and “true” (Revelation 3:7). To be holy is to be set apart. Jesus is separate from the world and calls us to be as well. He is also the source of truth that everyone – civilized or barbarian – must follow. He possesses “the key of David” (Revelation 3:7), an allusion to an Old Testament prophecy (Isaiah 22:22), which signified that access to the Father was only through Him. He told His disciples years before, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).
- Current circumstances – The church in Philadelphia had “an open door” before them (Revelation 3:8) as they served as “missionaries” to the lost. They had an opportunity to do important work for the cause of Christ despite their “little power” or perceived limitations (Revelation 3:8). However, they also faced trouble from “the synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 3:9). Greater trials were coming, but they would be protected from them (Revelation 3:10).
- Commendations – These brethren kept the Lord’s word and were obedient to Him (Revelation 3:8). They refused to deny His name despite the pressure put upon them (Revelation 3:8-9).
- Condemnations – Like the church in Smyrna, the Lord had nothing bad to say about these brethren.
- Punishment for sin – Since there was no sin for which they were rebuked, they were not warned of punishment if they did not repent.
- Reward for faithfulness – Also like Smyrna, the Lord promises a crown if they would “hold fast” (Revelation 3:11). They would be made “a pillar in the temple of My God” (Revelation 3:12), emphasizing their place of honor in support of God and His worship. They would also be given a “new name” in connection with the name of God and His dwelling place (Revelation 3:12), signifying that they belonged to God and their identity was found in Him.
Main Lesson: Use Your Opportunities
Just as the city of Philadelphia was intended to spread Greek culture, the church was there to spread the message of Christ’s kingdom. They may have been few in number (“little power”), yet they were able to contribute significantly to the cause of Christ. “No one [could] shut” the door that was open before them (Revelation 3:8). In other words, no one could take away their opportunity to do good. It was up to them to take advantage of it.
This is the lesson for us today. We need to use the opportunities we have for good.
Each one of us has opportunities to show a Christ-like example to others. Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20). We should be able to say the same thing and show Christ to others through the way we live our lives.
We all have opportunities to teach the truth to others. This is the basis for Peter’s admonition to be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). Every one of us has opportunities to share the gospel with others that are unique to us. It is up to us to take advantage of them.
Individually, we also have opportunities to help those who are in need. Paul told the Galatians, “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10).
When Jesus gave the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), he described three servants entrusted with various amounts of money to manage for their master while he was away. Two of the servants were faithful, used what they were given, and brought a positive return for their master. The third servant did nothing with his master’s money. When his master returned, he was condemned as a “wicked, lazy slave” and punished for his unfaithfulness (Matthew 25:26, 30). As individuals and congregations, we have different abilities, resources, and opportunities to use in the Lord’s service. We need to use these for good and not squander them as the unfaithful servant did.
Conclusion
It is easy to focus on our limitations. We can always find others who can do more than us or be more effective in a particular work. Yet we are not judged by what others do; we will be judged by what we do in the Lord’s service.
We have opportunities before us that are unique to us. Let us strive to use them to the glory of God.
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*William Barclay, Letters to the Seven Churches, p. 79.
**William Barclay, Letters to the Seven Churches, p. 80.
***William Barclay, Letters to the Seven Churches, p. 81.
