Letter to the Church of Philadelphia

1. The book of Revelation contains seven letters addressed to seven different churches. The sixth one is the church of Philadelphia, a Greek word which means:
   «Brotherly love».
   «Savor of labor».
   «Exalted city».
   «That which remains».

2. In the letter to the church of Philadelphia, Jesus is introduced as follows: «These things says He who is holy, He who is true.» In the book of Revelation, the description «holy and true» is closely linked with a particular event. What is that event?
   The sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins.
   The Pentecost.
   The coming of God's judgment.
   The inauguration of God's kingdom.

3. Besides their message to the local churches, the seven letters also have a prophetic application, describing the seven stages of the Christian Church history, from the days of the apostle John until the end of times. Which period is prophetically described by the letter to the church of Philadelphia?
   The Compromising Church, from 313 to 538.
   The Corrupt Church, from 538 to 1517.
   The Reformation Church, from 1517 to 1755
   The Awakening Church, from 1755 to 1844.

4. In His letter to the church of Philadelphia, Jesus mentions the positive points of this church: «See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can it; for you have a little , have kept My , and have not denied My name.» Indeed, during the prophetic period symbolized by the church of Philadelphia, the Church accomplished the greatest missionary advancement of its entire history.

5. On the other hand, what reproach does Jesus direct at the church of Philadelphia?
   Abandonment of its first love.
   Discouragement in the midst of trial.
   Doctrinal compromise.
   No reproach is directed at this church.

6. In His letter to the church of Philadelphie, Jesus says: «Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie (...).» On that subject, the Epistle of Paul to the Romans specifies the following point: «For he is not a Jew who is one , nor is that circumcision which is outward in the ; but he is a Jew who is one , and circumcision is that of the .»

7. The church of Philadelphia is very similar to the church of Smyrna. In fact, the letters addressed to them share all the following points, except one. Which one?
   Both churches have to face the opposition of false Jews.
   Both churches go through severe persecution.
   Jesus promises them the crown, if they persevere until the end.
   Jesus directs no negative comment to both of them.

8. In His letter to the church of Philadelphie, Jesus also says: «Because you have kept My command to , I also will keep you from the hour of which shall come upon the world, to those who dwell on the earth.» It will be very important, during our lessons, to find out what is the event Jesus mentions here.

9. The letters to the seven churches contain a personal message for each one of us. What is the message addressed to us, in the letter to the church of Philadelphia?
   Let's proclaim the gospel with perseverance.
   Let's not yield to doctrinal compromise.
   Let's carefully keep our first love alive.
   Let's not allow our faith to become cold formalism.

10. Finally, the letter to the church of Philadelphia concludes with this promise to him who perseveres until the end: «He who , I will make him a in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My name.» And Jesus offers us the power we need to persevere until the end!

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