The message Jesus gave to the church in Philadelphia is recorded in Revelation 3:7-13. Philadelphia was one of the seven churches Jesus addressed in the book of Revelation. Here is an overview of the key points in His message to them:
Jesus Has Authority Over Them (Revelation 3:7)
Jesus identifies Himself to the Philadelphian church as “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.” The key of David represents Jesus’ authority over God’s people, like a king has authority over his kingdom. Jesus was affirming His power and control over this church.
An Open Door They Have (Revelation 3:8)
Jesus knows the deeds of the church and that they have “kept My word, and have not denied My name.” He promises them: “Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut.” Many interpret this open door as opportunities for ministry and spreading the Gospel. Despite their limited strength, through Christ, great opportunities stood before them.
Those Who Persecute Will Repent (Revelation 3:9)
Jesus declares some from the synagogue of Satan will come and worship at their feet. Though they had faced persecution from false Jews, Jesus promises a day will come when these enemies will acknowledge He has loved and blessed this faithful church.
Keep What You Have (Revelation 3:10-11)
Since they have kept Jesus’ command to endure patiently, He will keep them “from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.” This could reference being spared from a period of great tribulation in the end times. Jesus urges them to hold on to what they have so their “crown” is not taken away.
Overcomers Will Be Permanent Pillars In God’s Temple (Revelation 3:12)
Jesus gives this promise to those in Philadelphia who overcome: “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.” Overcomers will have an unshakable position in God’s kingdom and God’s name, city, and Jesus’ new name written on them.
Listen To The Spirit (Revelation 3:13)
Jesus concludes his message saying, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Though addressed to Philadelphia, His message applies to all churches who have ears to hear His Spirit.
In summary, Jesus affirmed Philadelphia’s faithfulness, opened opportunities before them, promised vindication from enemies, protection through trials, honored positions in God’s kingdom, and gave them a charge to hold fast and listen to the Spirit. His message both commended and exhorted Philadelphia to persevere in following Him.
At around 200 words, this overview covers the key points in Jesus’ message to Philadelphia. The rest of this article will expand on each point to explain them in more depth.
Jesus Identifies Himself With Keys of Authority
Revelation 3 opens with Jesus’ message to the church in Philadelphia. He begins by identifying Himself saying, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.” (Revelation 3:7)
Three key truths about Jesus are established in this introduction. First, He is the Holy One. This means He is completely set apart from sin and perfect in righteousness. Second, He is the True One. He embodies truth and all His claims are completely faithful and trustworthy. Third, He holds they key of David.
This key of David refers back to a prophecy in Isaiah 22 where Eliakim is given authority over the house of David. The key represents the power to open and shut, to grant or deny access, to control who can enter. By claiming He holds the key of David, Jesus is asserting He has this same authority – He has power to determine who may enter His spiritual kingdom.
One commentary explains it this way, “In Scripture, having the key of David signifies having royal authority in the line of David. Jesus, being the Messiah, the great Son of David, has absolute power and authority to open and shut, and his rule shall have no end.” Just as Eliakim had authority in Hezekiah’s kingdom, Jesus has authority over the kingdom of God.
Why is this important for the Philadelphian church to know? Jesus starts His commendation and exhortation of them by first laying out His credentials. He has the sovereign right and power to examine their deeds, grant blessing or judgement, and open or close doors. Jesus is establishing He has the supreme authority over this church.
As the holy and true one with the keys of the kingdom, Jesus knows this church inside and out. His assessment of them comes from a place of perfect truth. When He promises them rewards or requires things of them, it is backed by His power over them. This gives weight to everything else Jesus says in His message to Philadelphia.
Jesus Affirms Their Faithfulness
After establishing His authority, Jesus affirms the church in Philadelphia, “I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8)
First, Jesus knows their works which means He is fully aware of all they have been doing. Then He notes that they have kept His word – they have obeyed what He has commanded and required of them. He also notes they have not denied His name – they have stood by their confession of Him as Lord and not shrunk back in the face of persecution.
He acknowledges they have little power. As a smaller, poorer church facing hostility, they were weak and limited in their opportunities. Yet their faithful obedience is not contingent on their circumstances. Despite weakness and opposition, they tenaciously kept Jesus’ word.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes, “In spite of having only a little strength, the believers in Philadelphia had kept God’s Word. Little strength means they did not have influence, riches, or talents. But spiritual prosperity does not depend on material resources.” Their faithful obedience stemmed from devoted hearts, not outward provision.
This faithful obedience is praised by Christ. He does not rebuke this church for any sin listed. Rather, He commends them for clinging to His name and commands when it was not easy. Their works are evidence of true spiritual life. Jesus affirms this is a spiritually healthy church.
In a sermon on this passage, Charles Spurgeon said, “Do not say, “I am only a feeble woman, or I am a man without talent or education.” … It is not your capacity, but your fidelity that wins Christ’s approbation.” The church in Philadelphia showed marvelous fidelity with the little they had. This simple devotedness earned them high praise from Jesus.
An Open Door of Ministry Stands Before Them
After commending Philadelphia’s faithful deeds, Jesus gives them this promise: “Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.” (Revelation 3:8)
What does He mean that He has set an open door before them? Many interpret this open door as an opportunity for ministry and advancing the Gospel. Though they were small and weak, Jesus would grant them an effectual door for sharing His name despite opposition.
The IVP New Testament Commentary states: “An ‘open door’ elsewhere in the New Testament stands for an opportunity for the gospel to go forth. Paul asked for prayers for an open door in preaching the gospel (Col. 4:2–4). He reported to the Corinthians of his work in Ephesus that “a wide door for effective work has opened to me” (1 Cor. 16:9).”
Though they had little strength, Jesus would sovereignly open a door for ministry that no one could shut. Beyond just giving them an opportunity, He would place them there and uphold them through it, overriding any resistance.
Why give Philadelphia such a door and promise of protection through it? Jesus says it is because they have kept His word and not denied His name. Their obedience in difficult times has proven their faithfulness. They have shown that Jesus and His glory motivate them, not comfort or success. Thus He entrusts them with greater kingdom responsibility.
Many apply this promise to modern believers as well. Our faithfulness with the little we have opens the way for God to grant us greater things. As we cling to Jesus despite weakness and persecution, He uses even small acts of devotion to advance His purposes exponentially.
Enemies Will Repent and Worship at Their Feet
In Revelation 3:9, Jesus expands on the open door promise with a prediction about those currently persecuting this church: “Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.”
This church was facing hostility from a local Jewish synagogue. These persecutors claimed to follow God but were really from the “synagogue of Satan.” Satan often makes his strongest attacks through twisted religiosity.
But Jesus promises a day will come when their enemies will be humbled and repentant. Those persecuting them will be made to come and bow down at their feet. Bowing at one’s feet depicts total surrender and acknowledgement of superiority. On the appointed day, their persecutors will recognize the church as honored and beloved by God.
The prophet Isaiah foretold a similar promise: “The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you, And all those who despised you will bow themselves at the soles of your feet” (Isaiah 60:14). Those who oppress God’s people will one day recognize their error and pay homage to the church.
When will this happen? Commentators give several potential fulfillments:
- When persons from the Jewish synagogue came to faith in Jesus later in the first century.
- When Rome destroyed the Jewish temple in AD 70.
- When every knee bows at the final judgment (Philippians 2:10).
- When enemies are conquered in spiritual warfare through the church’s faithful witness.
While the first specific fulfillment is uncertain, Jesus guarantees a general truth – the enemies of the gospel may prosper for a time but will ultimately be brought low and made to worship Jesus alongside His people. Persecution and hardship now does not undermine God’s love and the church’s final triumph.
A Call to Hold Fast Under Coming Trial
Jesus continues His message with both a promise and an exhortation: “Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11)
Because they have patiently endured and remained faithful through difficulty, Jesus promises to keep them from an coming period of trial that will test the whole earth. Many see this as reference to the tribulation period before Christ’s return. Because they have endured well already, He will spare them this worldwide trial.
But they must continue steadfast until He returns. Jesus exhorts them to hold fast, or keep a tight grip on what they have already attained. He doesn’t want anyone to seize the crown He plans for them on that day. The crown refers the victor’s wreath – the eternal reward for running the race of faith.
The Lord is coming soon to issue final rewards. In light of this, they must persist in faithful obedience, not relaxing their grip. The trials they have persevered through will amount to nothing if they do not continue steadfast to the end.
The People’s New Testament notes, “To encourage them, he declares I come quickly, and promises, if they hold fast, to keep them from the hour of trial. The Philadelphia church had but little power, but had kept his word. He then solemnly promises to keep them in the trying season that shall come upon the whole earth.
This shows that the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation.
Overcomers Promised Eternal Honor in God’s Temple
In Revelation 3:12, Jesus gives a final promise specifically to those in Philadelphia who overcome: “The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.”
To those who overcome or are victorious through persevering faith, Jesus guarantees 3 permanent honors:
- They will be made permanent pillars in God’s temple.
- They will have God’s name and the New Jerusalem written on them.
- They will have Jesus’ new name written on them.
Being made a pillar indicates they will have an unshakable place of honor in God’s presence. Pillars represent stability and permanence. Jesus is promising overcomers an eternal place of preeminence in God’s kingdom, never to be removed.
Furthermore, they will be identified with God himself through having His name, the name of His city (the New Jerusalem), and Jesus’ own new name written on them. This shows they will be both honored by and united forever with the Triune God.
Matthew Henry comments, “On this account, the conqueror shall have a monumental pillar in the temple, as before David had …Pillars in the temple of God built by Christ denote the perpetual, indissoluble union of the saints with God in Christ.” Through Christ’s power, faithful believers will be made pillars displaying God’s glory for all eternity.
These promises would have deeply encouraged the persecuted church in Philadelphia. Though weak now, everlasting honor awaited them. By keeping their grip on faithful obedience to the end, they were guaranteed eternal rewards from Jesus.
A Call to Hear and Heed the Spirit
Jesus concludes His message to Philadelphia with a familiar exhortation, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:13)
This repeats the refrain given to each of the seven churches Jesus addresses. It makes clear that while this message was originally delivered to the historical church in Philadelphia, it is also the Spirit speaking through Christ to every church. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus’ assessment and encouragement of this church applicable to believers in every generation.
Every church must hear and heed what Jesus commends, corrects and commands in these letters. Though they were addressed over 1900 years ago, His Spirit gives them fresh urgency to the churches of today. Believers through the ages must have ears to hear what Christ’s Spirit says to the churches – including His message to Philadelphia.
Summary of Jesus’ Message to Philadelphia
Jesus’ message to the church of Philadelphia contained both commendation and exhortation:
- He affirmed they had remained faithful despite weakness and opposition.
- He encouraged them that He saw their works and held the keys of the kingdom.
- He promised them an open door for ministry that none could shut.
- He guaranteed their persecutors would one day bow down and acknowledge God’s love for them.
- He exhorted them to hold fast through coming worldwide trial.
- He pledged eternal honor and belonging to those who overcome.
- He charged them to hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.
Jesus knows the challenges facing believers and His messages meet these real needs. A key theme for Philadelphia is endurance. By clinging to Jesus through present trials, they are promised amazing blessings in the life to come. Though small and persecuted now, their faithfulness prepared them for great open doors of ministry.
This message would have given Philadelphia renewed perseverance to continue following Jesus with boldness and anticipation of their hope. It encourages present day churches facing hard times in the same way. Jesus still opens doors for churches who honor His name above all else.
His message calls us to look beyond present circumstances to how God will use faithfulness now to prepare for greater works ahead. Times of trial are limited, but faithfulness today yields eternal rewards. As we keep our grip on following Him, Jesus promises “an open door that no one can shut.”
