1)
Named after its builder, Attalus Philadelphus (died 138 B.C.).
2)
Twenty-seven miles E.S.E. from Sardis.
3)
Suffered frequent earthquakes.
3:7 - Philadelphia - titles
He who is holy
This title is applied to YHWH in the Old Testament
(Isa. 6:3;
Isa. 40:25;
Isa. 43:25). Once again we see the divinity of Jesus (and the reality of the
Trinity). He is the promised "Holy One" that would not see corruption
(Ps. 16:10), but would be raised from the dead!
Even the demons recognized Who He was
(Mark 1:24).
He who is True
God cannot lie
(Num. 23:19;
Rom. 3:4;
Heb. 6:18;
Tit. 1:2).
He tells the Laodicean church that His witness is faithful and true
(Rev. 3:14)
which is also His title
(Rev. 19:11).
key of David, opens, shuts
The
key
represents governmental authority
(Isa. 9:6-7;
Luke 1:32).
Eliakim had the key of David on his shoulder
(Isa. 22:20-23).
After the door to the kingdom is shut, no one will be able to open it
(Mat. 25:10;
Luke 13:25).
3:8 - Philadelphia - commendation
an open door
"an open door" is
a door having been opened
(perfect tense) -- the door has already been opened.
1)
May be a door for evangelization
(Luke 24:45;
Acts 14:27;
Acts 16:14;
1Cor. 16:9;
2Cor. 2:12;
Col. 4:3).
2)
Context--key of David, synagogue of Satan--suggests it provides entrance to
the messianic kingdom
(Mat. 25:10;
Luke 13:25).
3)
Typological hint of "open door" involved with the Rapture
(Rev. 4:1).
a little strength
Given the commendation given to this church, and no criticism, this
probably refers to their small
numerical
strength. Even if not, Jesus was holding the door open so their ministry
would be effective.
kept My word and have not denied My name
They had
preserved its meaning
and
applied it to their lives.
They had not denied His name by the words or deeds.
In the Tribulation, many will deny His name and take the name of another
(John 5:43;
Rev. 13:17;
14:11).
3:9 - Philadelphia - promises
synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not
See lesson discussing
Revelation 2:9.
worship before your feet
In the local context, perhaps some from this synagogue would become
converts of the Philadelphian church.
An intentional allusion and reversal from the messianic age
(Isa. 45:15;
Isa. 49:22-23;
Isa. Isa. 60:14-16).
In our age, it is the church which is to make the Jews jealous
(Rom. 10:19-21).
This verse is not about
Jews
vs.
Gentiles . It is contrasting
unbelieving
national Israel with
faithful
Jews and Gentiles (the church).
keep you from
Does
keep you from
denote "kept through" or "kept out of"? Noah's family was kept
through
the flood
(Gen. 7:13).
Enoch was
kept out of
the flood
(Gen. 5:24).
the hour of trial
The promise is not to be kept from the
trial
but from the
hour .
Multitudes of the faithful who are on earth during that period suffer
violent death
and are not kept safe
(Dan. 7:21,
25;
Rev. 7:9-16;
12:11;
13:7;
20:4).
the whole world
"World" is
oikoume'nes
which can mean the "known world" (Luke 2:1;
Acts 11:28; etc.).
But it can also mean the entire globe
(Mat. 14:14;
Luke 4:5;
Acts 17:31;
etc.).
Therefore, it is not a
techical term
and its meaning is determined by the context.
to test those who dwell on the earth
The "earth dwellers" is a technical phrase in the Book of Revelation. It denotes a
moral category
rather than a
geographical location.
These are the ones who steadfastly reject God in the time of the end.
3:11 - Philadelphia - exhortation
I am coming quickly... hold fast
Deliverance is associated with His coming for the church. There are no
preconditions for His arrival--it could have happened in John's day
(John 21:23).
See the previous lesson where we discussed
imminency.
I will make him a pillar in the temple
May allude to the two pillars in Solomon's Temple
(Jachin
- "he shall establish," and
Boaz
- "in it is strength").
Believers who are indwelt with the Holy Spirit are the Temple of God
(1Cor. 6:19;
2Cor. 6:16;
Eph. 2:21;
1Pe. 2:5).
There is no temple in the New Jerusalem
(Rev. 21:22)
--or perhaps all of it may be considered a "temple" -- or this may allude to the Millennial Temple.
he shall go out no more
The ultimate promise of fellowship with God! The restoration of what Adam
enjoyed before the Fall
(Gen. 3:24)
-- the goal of all redemptive history:
1)
the tabernacle
(Ex. 25:9).
2)
the temple
(1K. 8:10-11).
3)
The indwelling Holy Spirit
(John 14:18).
4)
Jesus rules from Jerusalem in the Millennium
(Isa. 2:3).
5)
Full restoration in the eternal state
(Rev. 21:3).
name of God, New Jerusalem, Jesus' new name
Names indicate
character
and
possession . The overcomer belongs to the Father and to Jesus, his citizenship is in
the New Jerusalem.
For additional information on this topic, see the commentary.
