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Letter to the Church of Philadelphia  

Thoughts on the Passage

The city of Philadelphia – city of brotherly love – took its name because the brother of the ruler in Pergamum ruled here and stood with his brother rather than betray him to the Romans. This cost him dearly.

Also, this city suffered from a massive earthquake in 17 AD (and then another smaller one in AD 23) that caused huge damage. They got little help from Rome to rebuild. They also had their vineyards destroyed so that Rome could have their vineyards be the empire's vineyards. 

This city needed help. The church, at the time of this letter felt the same way. They struggled under the oppression and needed help. Jesus goes into the history of the city and declares that He will help them through the trials that they face.

There are three other important historical items referenced here. Jesus holds a key of David and He will open doors no one can shut and close doors no one can open. The Jewish synagogue would close the door on the believers and not cover them or protect them (similar to what we read yesterday about Sardis). Jesus is also referencing Isaiah 22 where God promises Eliakim that God will do the same for him in his role as Steward of the city of Jerusalem. People would try to fight against him – but God would make sure that none of the attacks succeeded. 

Second, Jesus promises that they would be pillars in the temple of God. In the ruins from the 17 AD earthquake, they discovered that the foundations for pillars of the temples were built in such a way that they could withstand many earthquakes. The forces destroyed everything around them, but the pillars suffered little damage. These believers would never be shaken from the temple of God. They would receive great honor there and nothing could take that away from them. 

Third, God promised them a new name. Philadelphia changed its name for a period of time – to honor Emperor Tiberius who assisted them after the earthquake. God’s new name will define them for eternity.

God’s promise to His church. Stay true to Me – just like the city did to its brother city and I have a great reward for you. You face great opposition with little strength. I will make doors open for you. Leaders that oppose you will come and bow down to you. Stay strong in the midst of trials and you will be unmoveable in the Temple of God. You will be honored there, and no one can take it from you. Just hold fast and never give up.

The video link gives the history of Philadelphia and challenges it faced from an earlier devastating earthquake. The church faced similar challenges on a personal level.

Prayer

Father, the passage has meant so much to me personally. It was a passage I hung onto many times when I faced huge problems and I had little strength to handle it. Only You could open the doors – I did not have the strength. Only You could protect me – the people arrayed against me were too powerful. Only You…. Today, I declare that You keep every promise You make. Some have still not been answered, but they will come. My prayer is that I stay faithful through every challenge yet to come. I pray for strength so nothing can steal the promises that You have given to me – I will hold them without letting go. Finally, give me this love – for You and for all my family. Nothing can take this love away. I pray in Jesus' Name, Amen.