1. The Seven Churches of Asia Philadelphia The church with an open door
Revelation 3:7-13
NT Church

2. Letters to the churches
7 letters to 7 congregations – symbolic of the church as a whole. Common conditions found in every church
Thus we can ask, “How does this apply to us?”
Sardis

3. Letters to the churches
Ephesus – Left their first love Smyrna – Persecuted (poor-rich) Pergamos – Compromise (tolerating) Thyatira– Corrupt (immorality) Sardis – Dead (or dying) Philadelphia – An open door Laodicea – lukewarm (rich-poor)
Sardis

4. The city of Philadelphia
Philadelphia means, “love of a brother” or “brotherly love”
Located 28 miles southeast of Sardis.
3 major roads. A border town of 3 countries (Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia)
Philadelphia

5. The city of Philadelphia
The gateway to the East
Founded around 140 BC by Attalus for the purpose of being a missionary city – proclaiming the praises of Hellenism (Greek culture) to the East
Economically important for this reason
Philadelphia

6. The city of Philadelphia
Rich soil (volcanic region)
Known for its vines and wine
Susceptible to earthquakes 17 AD, near the center of a great earthquake that destroyed the city. Rebuilt with the help of Tiberius. Name changed to Neocaesarea in gratitude A “new name” though temporary
Philadelphia

7. The city of Philadelphia
Many temples in the city Dionysius – chief deity (god of wine) Because of many temples was eventually nicknamed, “Little Athens” Extraordinary citizens were honored with a column in one of these temples named after them
Philadelphia

8. The city of Philadelphia
We know nothing of the church, except what is recorded in this letter
Described as, “The church with an open door” or “The weak but strong church”
Likely their main source of antagonism was the Jewish community there
Philadelphia

9. Christ is holy! Hebrews 7:26 Acts 3:14 – “the Holy One”
The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Christ identified
He who is holy
Christ is holy! Hebrews 7:26 Acts 3:14 – “the Holy One”
Philadelphia
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

10. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Christ identified
He who is True
He is both dependable and genuine John 14:6 Revelation 19:11 “Faithful and True”
Philadelphia
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

11. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Christ identified
He who has the key of David
Reigning on his throne Acts 2:36 cf. 2 Samuel 7:16
Philadelphia
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

12. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Christ identified
He who opens and no one shuts
What Jesus declares cannot be stopped
Philadelphia
Don McClain, w65stchurchofchrist.com

13. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Condemnations – NONE!
Commendations:
“I know your works”
Philadelphia

14. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Commendations:
See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it
Open door = opportunity. NOTHING hindering one (even Satan) from walking through it
Acts 14:27, 1 Corinthians 16:9 2 Corinthians 2:12, Colossians 4:3
Philadelphia

15. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Commendations:
You have a little strength
Does NOT mean weak
They were limited in some way – perhaps financially, small in number, etc.
BUT, they did not let those keep them from doing anything
Matthew 25:18, 24-30; 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, Mark 12:42-44
It is not our strength that we are depending on – 2 Corinthians 12:7-12; Philippians 4:13, Romans 1:16
Philadelphia

16. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Commendations:
Have kept My word - They remained faithful to Him. No compromise John 14:21-24, 1 John 2:3, etc.
Philadelphia

17. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Commendations:
Have not denied My name Matthew 10:32-33
Philadelphia

18. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Commendations:
Have not denied My name Matthew 10:32-33 In these letters we have seen martyrdom, poverty, prison, etc.
Philadelphia

19. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Judgment of the wicked:
I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not… Very likely it was the Jews who were persecuting them here. No longer recognized by God Romans 2:28-29
Philadelphia

20. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Judgment of the wicked:
They will come and worship before you feet and know that I have loved you The ungodly and persecutors WILL answer – Philippians 2:9-11, 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10
Possibly, some would be converted – cf. Romans 12:19-21, Matthew 5:16, 1 Peter 5:1, etc.
Philadelphia

21. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
More encouragement
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you… A judgment is coming, but the Lord knows those who are His
He can deliver us – 2 Timothy 3:12; 2 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 13:5, 1 Corinthians 10:13
Philadelphia

22. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Call to action
Behold, I am coming quickly – their enemies will be judged. The time is unknown, hence we must always be prepared!
Philadelphia

23. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
Call to action
Hold fast what you have – don’t let go (4th time in 4 churches)
That no one may take your crown – the victor’s crown (wreath) 2 Timothy 4:7-8, 2:5, etc.
He who overcomes – do not let struggles defeat you
Philadelphia

24. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
The promise
I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God – recall the traditions in the city. God will remember us and we will be part of his “temple”
He shall go out no more – an eternal and settled reward Matthew 25:46, 343; Revelation 14:13. Again, recall the city and its earthquakes with constant exits
Philadelphia

25. The Letter to Philadelphia – 3:7-13
The promise
I will write on him the name – identity
Of my God – the eternal god, not a temple idol
Of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem – Hebrews 11:10, 16; Revelation 21:9-22:5
My new name – faithfulness and worthiness
Philadelphia

26. Does this apply to us? 3:7-13
It IS possible to be totally faithful to God, as a congregation! We need to always be working toward that end – but it requires a genuine heart willing to study and change, that loves God and each other and the truth!
Philadelphia

27. Does this apply to us? 3:7-13
This is a congregation that is reaching out to bring in the lost AND to keep them. They PROUDLY and openly wear the name of the Lord
Philadelphia

28. Does this apply to us? 3:7-13
They have an open door to anyone willing to listen. Even “the poor and filthy” (James 2:2)
They are also LOOKING for opportunities and alert – Luke 14:23, John 4:35, cf. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 – all things to all men
They do not make excuses, but find a way to accomplish His will
Philadelphia

29. Does this apply to us? 3:7-13
This open door also applies to reception of God’s word, their minds and to one another.
Yet in all this they will NOT compromise God’s word, even if it means being rejected and that they remain small in number and resources. Rejections do not stop them
This is a church filled with the saved and helping them to stay saved
Philadelphia

30. Does this apply to us? 3:7-13
This is a growing church! Whether outward numbers reflect it or not!
Philadelphia

31. Jesus IS the door – John 10:9, cf. Ephesians 2:18
Jesus is standing at the door and knocking. Will we let Him in? Revelation 3:20
Philadelphia

32. Are we like the church at Philadelphia?