About twenty eight miles south east of Sardis we come to Philadelphia, the youngest of the seven cities that the Lord has written to.

It was built about 150 BC by King Attalus of Pergamum out of devotion to his brother who was known as Eumenes the second. The city took the name of Philadelphia, which was the king’s nickname and means quite simply, "To love a brother or brotherly love."

This city was subject to volcanic eruptions and in AD 17 it was hit by an earthquake. It wasn’t destroyed but it suffered from many after shocks, it was so bad, apparently many of the people had to move out of the city and live in tents.

The volcanic soil around this area made it very fertile and as a consequence it was famous for its vines. This city worshiped Dionysus, the god of wine, a god with whom worship consisted of much immorality.

It was also a key city geographically as all traffic passing to the eastern uplands needed the permission of Philadelphia. It was called the ‘gateway to the east’ it was the one rival to the great route connecting Ephesus to the east.

This city was a missionary city not in the biblical sense, but it was built in order that it might spread Greek language and mannerisms. Before 19AD the Lydian tongue ceased and only Greek was spoken, it was successful in its goal.

Philadelphia changed it name a few times after the earthquake. It was called Neocaesarea in honour of the help they received in rebuilding their city from the Roman Empire, however within thirty years it changed its name back again to Philadelphia. It was also called Flavia for a time. Today it is called Ala Sheher, which means ‘city of god.’

It is interesting that there is not a word of condemnation for this church. When I think of the name of the church, Philadelphia, perhaps there is a lesson for all of us in that name. When brotherly love is genuinely present there will be an absence of failings that the Lord will have to bring to our attention. Notice what the Bible has to say about brotherly love.

It is a command.

It should continue.

It should mark our conduct.

It is conducive.

Look at this verse from second Peter.

It is hemmed in between godliness and charity [Agape, which is christlike love] if we don’t love our brethren we will not truly love others and we cannot say we love Christ.

Brotherly love should not be counterfeit.

Brotherly love will go a long way in helping churches know the commendation rather than the condemnation of the Lord.

As we have endeavoured to do in our studies of the letters to the seven churches, we begin by looking at the prophetically aspect of this letter.

Sardis as we have said was the church of the reformation. Sadly, soon formalism and coldness became the order of the day and churches became dead.

However during the eighteen hundreds to early nineteen hundreds there was a period of evangelism when the church began again to reach out to the lost. We can see this depicted in Revelation three verse eight.

They had an open door to spread the gospel. Remember this was a missionary city that spread Greek culture to the whole area and likewise this church typifies the believers taking the gospel to many places.

On the thirty first of May 1752 William Carey preached on Isaiah 54 v 2-3.

His message deeply impressed the Northamptonshire Baptist Association who formed a missionary society and Carey became their first missionary to India.

Men like Hudson Taylor, [1832-1905], David Livingstone [1813-1873], and Adoniram Judson took up the missionary call.

It was also an age of revivalist preaching. This period in church history produced men of the calibre of George Whitfield [1714-1770], John Wesley [1703- 1791], D L Moody, [1837-1899] and of course C H Spurgeon [1832- 1892].

We could also mention John Newton, John Bunyan and Jonathan Edwards all great men of God raised up during the 18th to early twentieth century. Let us not forget it was during this time that we had the 1859 revival in Ulster.

This church at Philadelphia, which came alive amidst the death that characterised so many other churches, foreshadowed all of this. Again we must stress the primary application is the literal church at Philadelphia.

There is no record as to the establishment of this church. Possibly again the church at Ephesus or even Colosse had planted it, Colosse was about fifty miles away

Was some of the fruit, mentioned in the above verses, the church at Philadelphia?

Let us see firstly Christ’s person. In Revelation chapter one we read the description of Jesus Christ in his high priestly role.

We noted that in each of the previous letters to the five churches something of that description is used in the introduction. Here in this letter we find a unique description as this time it doesn’t focus on Christ’s role but rather on Christ’s person.

Could it be that we would only get to see the person of Christ when we are like the Philadelphian believers? They were loyal to the scriptures, loyal to the saviour and with a love for the lost. They are shown the Lord, oh that we would see Jesus

Let us look more closely at the person of Christ in the letter to this church at Philadelphia.

See firstly his purity as we look at verse seven.

We can see that Christ claims to be Holy. Compare that claim with the following Old Testament scriptures.

Christ again is confirming his deity because God alone is holy in the absolute sense of the word. The very demons confirmed that Christ was the holy one of God.

As we get closer to the Lord we will see his absolute holiness. Christ did no sin, he knew no sin and in him was no sin.

What is a prerequisite for revival? Look at this verse from first Peter.

Holy living is essential for revival. Until we once again get a glimpse of his purity and until we again will live God fearing, God honouring and God glorifying lives we will not have a heaven sent Holy Ghost revival.

We can see his purity. We can also see the reality.

"He that is true," that simply means "he is absolutely genuine or absolutely authentic." Israel for years had seen the Lord Jesus Christ in types and shadows but now he was real, he was true and he was genuine.

The man Christ Jesus could, and can, be depended upon.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

What will mark believers as well as Holiness during a time of revival and real blessing? Not only purity but also reality.

Is Jesus Christ real in your life?

Is your salvation real?

Is your walk real?

Reality must come before revival.

We have noticed his purity, the reality and now let us see his authority.

"He that hath the key of David"

This is a quote from the Old Testament. It regards a man called Eliakim.

He had the key to the king’s treasures, the king in question was Hezekiah. This man Eliakim controlled access to the monarch.

For the Jews they would be reminded of the messianic kingdom. Jesus has the authority to determine who enters the kingdom.

In pagan minds, the god Janus was the key bearer who opened a year [That is where the month January got its name] This god called Janus could open or shut the gates to heaven and could also open or shut the gates of war. Apparently, colloquially, Janus was known as the opener and shutter.

Christ thus presents himself as the one with absolute authority.

This would also remind us that through Christ we have access to the presence of God; we have access to the riches of God and the resources of God.

How big is your God? During times of revival blessing, the Saints of God believed in a big God. Do you and I bow to his authority in our lives? Is this why there seems to be so little revival blessing in our day?

There is not the purity, there is not the reality and there is no respect for His authority.

Have we lives marked by purity?

Have we lives that show reality?

Have we lives submitted to his authority?

Let us also notice his capability from verse seven, remember we are looking at Christ’s person.

If the Lord opens the door then no one can shut it. Also the opposite is true, if he shuts the door no one can open it. The Lord has absolute omnipotence. Look at the following Old Testament references to God’s omnipotent power.

The Lord is saying here, "I act and who can reverse it." This is emphasised again in this verse from Daniel.

Let’s have the purity and the reality in our lives. Let us bow to His authority and we will enjoy His capability. The Lord will be opening and not shutting doors for us.

The Lord had nothing bad to say about this church.

What a credit this is to the believers in Philadelphia. No wonder there was revival in that church.

Would the holy, true, sovereign and omnipotent one find any fault in us?

I think there is also the need here, in verse seven, for us to accept God’s will in a matter. If he shuts a door, let us recognise, "thy will be done." Let’s not argue against the only wise God.

Notice also that holiness and truth always go together. When we have and hold to the right doctrine it will produce right living. We cannot divorce our doctrine from our deportment.

We have noticed Christ’s person, let us also see the commission that’s made possible.

Let us remind ourselves of the great commission found in Mark’s gospel.

Think also of the words of Jesus Christ to the church at Jerusalem in Acts.

We can see that the believers in Philadelphia had an open door. Look at verse eight.

The Lord says, " I have set before thee an open door and no man can shut it." They were given opportunities to reach the lost with the gospel. Paul revelled in, and prayed for the open doors and opportunities he received,as we can see from the following scriptures.

I have given and it remains given, an open door, that’s how some would translate Revelation three verse eight.

It could be a door for service or a door of opportunity. Whatever it may be, is the Lord opening doors for you?

Is he opening doors in your home?

Is he opening doors in your workplace?

Is he opening doors in the church for you?

Is he opening doors in whatever area you live in?

Is the Lord giving you doors of opportunity? Those little moments when you can utter that ‘word in season’ to some lost soul.

Remember this city was known as the gateway to the east. They knew about the open door and remember also that this city had been spreading the Greek language and culture so they knew all about taking a message out to others.

The Lord invites them to go and fulfil the great commission in reaching lost souls for Jesus Christ.

Why did the Lord open the door for this church?

What doth the Lord thy God require of thee?

Look at verse eight again.

Think about whom they looked too.

"For thou hast a little strength." They had little power of their own. I don’t think this is a criticism from the Lord rather the Lord I believe is drawing our attention to the fact that this was a little church, small in number and probably made up of poor believers. They had so little in the eyes of the world. But God is never held back by our limitations. Think of the following examples of believers overcoming great odds.

Abraham with three hundred and eighteen men defeated four kings.

Gideon with three hundred men routed the Midianites.

Elijah, by himself, was a match for the four hundred prophets of Baal.

Jesus called his disciples who turned the world upside down, a little flock.

Christ assures these faithful few in Philadelphia that he can use them.

Oh how big is your God?

Do you think the need of the hour is numbers?

Do you think that is what will open up doors?

Mighty power is found in the following.

God the father.

God the son.

God the Holy Spirit.

Praise God we have access to that power. Do you see what God can do with a little group of believers who are depending on his power?

What could he not do if there was a lot of believers depending on his power?

What could he not do with the little that you and I have to offer?

Why did the Lord open doors for this church? They looked to the Lord as their source of power.

Why did the Lord open doors for this church? They lived the book. Look again at verse eight.

Rev. 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

"And hast kept my word." They were faithful to the book that is the Word of God. They lived the book and they obeyed the book.

Doors of opportunity will open when we look away from ourselves and live this book day by day.

"I will open a door that no man can shut." We can see so many Christians who are trying to open doors for themselves and very often they ignore this book. God will not open that door for you unless you open this book and get into it.

Look it up, let it in and live it out.

Martin Luther said, " My conscience is captive to the word of God.

This church looked away from themselves and looked to God. It was a little church that believed in a big God.

The Church at Philadelphia also lived this book as we have seen.

Something else as we continue, they loved his name. Look again at verse eight.

They had not ‘denied his name,’ In spite of the pressure, and in spite of what it cost them, they still loved the Lord Jesus Christ.

We could think of the positive side of being associated with his name.

We have his presence.

We have the weapon of prayer available.

We have an amazing pardon through his name.

Well can we sing, "Oh how I love the Saviour’s name, the sweetest name on earth."

We could also look at his name and see how it could cost you something to be associated with his lovely name.

It can cause some to be incensed with you.

It can cause you to be interrogated.

It can cause some to want to inhibit you.

His name can mean some of you may suffer some injustice.

Will we say, with Paul in spite of what it might cost us?

Can you see why the Lord set before this church an open door?

They look away from themselves, they lived the word of God and they loved the name of Jesus.

We have looked at Christ’s person, we have considered the commission that’s possible. Let us now look at the conquering that is promised.

What happens when God opens doors for us?

When we have the purity, the reality, when we submit to his authority and when we see his capability

When we look away from ourselves, when we live this book and when we love the lord, what will the Lord do? Look at verse nine.

We looked at these people before described as Jews who are not Jews.

They are enemies of the gospel and of the synagogue of Satan. What would the Lord do?

"I will make them to come and worship before thy feet." Our enemies would take the lowest place. It speaks of submission and defeat.

"And to know that I have loved thee." They will see God’s love in these people. They would see Christ’s love and they would fall down, broken by God’s Holy Spirit.

When God opens the door, then even the hardest sinners will be saved by God’s sovereign grace.

Oh that God would open doors for all of us and break down hardened sinners.

We have looked at Christ’s person, we have considered the commission that’s possible and the conquering that is promised. Now we want to consider the church’s privilege. Look at verse ten.

The word used for patience more accurately means endurance. Some say this relates to Christ patiently waiting before he returns and I can see were this would fit in and also we as believers are to patiently wait for Christ

But the use of the word as endurance would indicate that the endurance that Christ showed in the midst of trials should be the endurance that you and I display in our Christian lives. Look at the following examples of Christ’s endurance.

You have proved the reality of your faith by enduring even stress. The Lord promises to keep them from the most severe test of all. Look again at verse ten.

This promise which applies to the whole church.

Will the church go through the tribulation?

It is obvious from this verse that the Lord is not speaking about some local tribulation, that’s what the word ‘temptation’ means. The Lord is referring to the tribulation that is to come upon this world. You can read about it in chapters six to nineteen of the book of the Revelation.

It is also called, among other things, the time of Jacob’s trouble.

Look at the period.

"I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation."

The word ‘hour’ indicates a short period of time. The tribulation will last seven years, the great tribulation refers to the last three and one half years of the tribulation. In terms of earth’s history it is a short period of time. It speaks of a definite period of time and a definite tribulation there is an ‘article’ in the Greek before tribulation.

Look at the place.

"Which shall come upon all the world."

"World" means "the inhabited earth." In other words this is a global tribulation. Something that the world has never experienced before in its history.

Notice it says ‘all’ and all means all.

Look at the participants.

"To try them that dwell upon the earth."

The words ‘dwell upon the earth’ literally mean ‘earth dwellers.’ This phrase is used twelve times in Revelation and not only means that they dwell on the earth but they who are attached to it, as opposed to citizens of heaven. It teaches us that unbelievers are in view.

Look at the purpose of the tribulation.

"To try them that dwell upon the earth."

To try them, men will be tried by seals, trumpets and bowl judgement. What will men cry?

It is the time of Jacob’s trouble and has a special significance for Jews.

I just want you to see that the Lord is promising this church something here. What a wonderful blessing to know that we too have this wonderful promise.

Look at the promise again in verse ten.

"I will keep thee from the hour of temptation."

I will not keep you through it [dia].

I will not keep you in it [en].

I will keep you from it [ek = away from it].

The following scriptures support us in our belief that the church will not go through the tribulation.

Praise God we will be taken away before this tribulation period comes.

Three quarters of the church will be in heaven so the- church cannot go through the tribulation in any real sense of the word.

Pastor Luther Price bases his belief of the pretribulation rapture of the church on the atonement. He simply asks the question, "How much wrath has the Lord saved me from?"

We have considered the period, the place, the participants, the purpose and the promise. We are kept from it, hallelujah what a Saviour!

Before we read about the wrath in chapters six to nineteen of Revelation we are promised the rapture.

Let us put it quite simply again.

Tribulation or translation?

Antichrist or Jesus Christ?

The man of sin or the sinless man?

We have considered the following, Christ’s person, commission that’s possible, the conquering promised, the church’s privilege. Let us see now the concern about their prize. Look at verse eleven.

Do you see how the imminence of Christ’s return is again set forth?

We are taught to expect the Lord at any moment and to be faithful or you could lose your crown.

"Take thy crown," is present tense and not future, so what is intended here?

Crown was used of the high standard of sanctification of the high priest.

The word consecration is the same word that is used of the separation of a Nazarite.

The high priest and Nazarite would have lost their crowns if they lost that which set them apart for God.

Jesus said in other words, "Don’t loose that distinctive mark of separation [They were distinguished from the other churches.] I am coming quickly no doubt then they would loose the heavenly crowns or rewards.

Finally let us consider the consolation that was precious. Look at the twelfth verse.

They are reminded of their inheritance.

"Will I make a pillar in the temple of my God."

This speaks of stability, security and strength and this is what we will have in glory.

Remember the pillars in Solomon’s temple?

To these believers in Philadelphia who are shaken and yet standing, there is a time ahead when the tremors will cease. If we think about the earthquakes in this city and how they had to flee, look at what the Lord says, "he shall go out no more." Only the pillars remained after the earthquake and that same stability and permanency is ahead for God’s children so that there will no more running in and out for fear. The Lord is reminding them of their home in Glory.

But the Lord has more to say, "and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God." This speaks of identification.

They are identified with God and identified with the New Jerusalem.

What a love relationship we will have with the Lord.

When an artist writes his name upon his painting, he is declaring that it is his work. It is something he is proud of; it is something he will associate himself with. Oh to have the name of our God written upon us.

You may be ostracised by the world but you are identified with God and with heaven.

The inheritance, identification and intimacy.

"And I will write upon him my new name."

A study of Christ’s names will reveal his character to us but this is a new name.

There is much about Christ we can only imagine; his greatness, his beauty, his majesty and his glory. We can with our human minds grasp but a little. There is coming a day when we will see him in all his glory and will know him more intimately.

Now we have to say with the Queen of Sheba, who after she saw Solomon, had to confess.

What a prospect we will see Jesus.