Topical Studies
What the Bible says about
Philadelphian Church: Little Strength
(From Forerunner Commentary)
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Revelation 3:8
We tend to think of the Philadelphians as being without fault because Christ does not make a pointed and detailed listing of their sins. Notice, however, that they have "a little strength"—they are weak. This is not a put-down but an honest appraisal. He is in fact commending them for doing as well as they have. We need to consider this in terms of our recent lives in the church. The evidence shows that the Philadelphia group lacks the spiritual strength of the beginning of the Ephesian group. We have not seen many mountains moving out of their places. We are among the generation addressed by Jesus: "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8). A careful scrutiny of these verses shows something is missing that almost all assume is there: They do not say the church at Philadelphia is full of brotherly love. Philadelphia is the name of the city, and we draw an assumption that Christ calls them "Philadelphians" because they exhibit remarkable love for one another. To be honest, we would have to make the same assumption for each of the groups, and no one has been able to make a significant conclusion in this vein for the Ephesian group in regard to the name "Ephesus," or for the Thyatiran group with "Thyatira," or for the others. Perhaps only one name does fit somewhat: Laodicea, which means "judgment of the people." The Philadelphians have one fine quality—they are faithful. This is what He compliments them for being, meaning they have a commendable measure of obedience. Nevertheless, the Philadelphians, though faithful, are somewhat weak. The Laodiceans are largely derived from a base that came from the Philadelphians, making them weaker still, due to their lackadaisical inattention to their relationships with God.
John W. Ritenbaugh
A Place of Safety? (Part 5)
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Revelation 3:8
In Revelation 3:8, the phrase "open door" is being used, not so much as an opportunity, but as a reward. Young's Literal Translation shows this emphasis: "I have known thy works; lo, I have set before thee a door—opened, and no one is able to shut it, because thou hast a little power, and didst keep my word, and didst not deny my name" (emphasis ours). Christ sets before the Philadelphian an "open door" because he has only a little capacity for mighty works, and yet he still keeps God's Word and does not deny God's name by the way he lives his life. He still is able to overcome. The door Christ opens to the Philadelphian, the door no man can shut, may well be the door to the Kingdom itself! In the Parable of the Ten Virgins, the door is open to some of the virgins and closed to others (Matthew 25:10-12). In the description of New Jerusalem, the gate is open only to those whose names are written in the Book of Life (Revelation 21:27; 22:14). Christ opens the door to the Kingdom because of the Philadelphian's faithfulness, just as He promises to keep him from the hour of trial because of his perseverance (Revelation 3:10). God may have given him only two talents, but He knows that if he is faithful with a small amount of power, in the Kingdom he will faithfully administer all of the responsibility and effectiveness that God bestows upon him. Individually, we may only have a little "power," but if we are faithful with what we have been given, God is pleased, knowing we will also be faithful with great power. As Christ says in Luke 16:10, ". . . faithful also in much. . . ."
David C. Grabbe
Power
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Revelation 3:8-10
Which of us knows how much more individual spiritual growth is needed for us to be ready to inherit the Kingdom of God? If the fire of the Tribulation—as horrific as it is described—is what will completely purify us, is that not a small price to pay for an eternal place in the Kingdom? On the other hand, does it require greater faith "to be accounted worthy to escape" (Luke 21:36) or to go through the Tribulation, glorifying God with a stunning witness of faithfulness in the midst of a world breaking apart? The issue of who goes through the Tribulation and why is not as clear-cut as we might suppose—unless we change our perspective to see it in terms of God's will. Consider two of the letters in Revelation 2 and 3. The better known is the letter to Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13). In it, Jesus Christ promises, "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth" (verse 10; emphasis ours throughout). It is no wonder that being a Philadelphian is so greatly desired! But also notice His statement that seems to be a slight detraction: "for you have a little strength" (verse 8). This church with a little strength—but a great deal of perseverance—is the one that will be kept from the hour of trial. No mention is made of the church's visibility, effectiveness, or influence. God judges according to faithfulness, not according to the results—for He determines the results anyway. Contrast this with the letter to the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:8-11), in which nothing negative is written. There is not even a hint of detraction with Smyrna. What does God's providence hold for this church to which He gives no written correction? Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10) Why does God allow these apparently model saints to suffer? Why does God not deliver this singular group from the ignominy of prison and tribulation? The letter does not give us the answer, but it is reasonable to conclude that it is because God is working out far more than physical protection. He is preparing a people who are worthy of the crown of life that can only come from Him. Our human preference, though, is for the shielded life of a Philadelphian rather than the tested, tempered, uncomfortable, perhaps brutal, life of a seemingly flawless Smyrnan. By itself, this desire is not wrong, but if it is not kept in check, we could be tempted to compromise or swayed by men assuring safety and guaranteeing our standing with God. But if our trust is in God, we can echo Christ's words when He was contemplating His own trial and persecution: O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done. (Matthew 26:42)
David C. Grabbe
Where Is Your Trust?
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Revelation 3:12
Because Christ criticizes Philadelphia very little, opens doors before her, and offers protection from the Tribulation, it is easy for one to think he "has it made" if he was or is part of Philadelphia. Yet Christ admonishes Philadelphia just as He does the other churches: Overcome! A Christian must never rest on his oars, regardless of his situation or time in history. We all must overcome the world (I John 5:4), our nature, and Satan to be granted salvation, and if we do, entrance to God's Kingdom is an absolute promise!
Staff
The Seven Churches (Part Eight): Philadelphia
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