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Our Mission: Revelation 14:6-12
If I Were Told the Future - Lesson 27
Letter
to the Church of Philadelphia
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Let's pray before beginning this lesson:
Our Heavenly Father,
We have already reached the sixth of the seven letters addressed to the churches. This
letter is addressed to the church of Philadelphia.
May Your light continue to guide us, so that we may grasp the important message You want
to give us.
We humbly ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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Revelation 1:11
«What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia (...).»
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The sixth letter is addressed to the church of Philadelphia, a
name meaning «Brotherly love».
This name was inspired by the affection of king Attalus II, founder of the city, for his
elder brother Eumenes II. Attalus II reigned from 159 B.C. to 138 B.C.
Heavily damaged by a major earthquake in A.D. 17, Philadelphia was rebuilt during the
reign of Roman emperor Tiberius, but still remained smaller than the original city.
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Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
«These things says He who is holy, He who is true.»
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Revelation 6:10
How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?
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By introducing Himself as the One who is holy and true, Jesus
announces the imminent coming of the judgment.
Being holy, He is worthy of carrying out this judgment; being true, He ensures the
accuracy of the verdict.
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Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
«These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who
opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.»
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Isaiah 22:22
The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.
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Jesus also introduces Himself as the One who has the key of
David, an image taken directly from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
What does this introduction mean?
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Isaiah 22:20-22
I will call My servant Eliakim (...). I will commit your
responsibility into his hand. (...)
The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; so he shall open, and no one
shall shut; and he shall shut, and no one shall open.
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Matthew 28:18
Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,
«All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.»
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By giving to Eliakim the key of the house of David, God was
giving him authority over this house.
Jesus too has the key of David, the sign of an authority which is, this time, expanded to
the whole Universe.
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Revelation 3:8
I know your works.
See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little
strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
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The church of Philadelphia symbolizes the Awakening Church, from
1755 to 1844.
Finally coming out of its lethargy, the Church accomplished, during those years, the
greatest missionary advancement of its entire history.
Expanding out of Europe, the gospel was proclaimed in Africa, Asia, India, the Pacific
islands, and the New World, that is, America.
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Revelation 3:8
I know your works.
See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little
strength (...).
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Zechariah 4:6
«Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,» says the Lord of hosts.
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The Awakening Church ceased to rely on its massive structures and
its political allies, as it did during the Middle Ages.
The common people, the laity, were those who, answering the call of the Holy Spirit,
reinjected Christianity with the zeal and hope of the early days.
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Revelation 3:8
I know your works.
See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little
strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
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Between 1755 and 1844, Christianity rediscovered the worth of the
Word of God, and its message.
Biblical societies appeared in Europe and America, distributing thousands of copies of the
Bible and translations of biblical excerpts in many languages.
Following the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, one of the most widely felt in history, Christians
became aware that Jesus could come back very soon.
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Daniel 12:4
But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.
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Revelation 4:1
After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in
heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying,
«Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.»
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A sudden interest in biblical prophecy sprang up among
Christians.
The Holy Spirit unsealed the books of Daniel and Revelation, opening the door to the
knowledge of the «things which must take place after this».
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Revelation 3:8
See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
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Matthew 25:21
You were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things.
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God cast a favorable eye on the spiritual awakening of the
Church, and abundantly blessed its missionary efforts.
This is what Jesus indicates, using the symbol of the open door that no one can shut.
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The open door symbolizes the proclamation of the gospel in the world:
«And when they had come and gathered the church together, they
reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the
Gentiles.» (ACTS 14:27)
«For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.» (1
CORINTHIANS 16:9)
«Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened to me
by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother.» (2
CORINTHIANS 2:12,13)
«Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak
the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains.» (COLOSSIANS 4:3)
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Matthew 25:10
And while [the foolish virgins] went to buy [some oil], the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
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Genesis 7:16
So those that entered [into the ark], male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.
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On the other hand, the shut door symbolizes the close of probation, the moment when the destiny of everyone is fixed forever.
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Revelation 3:9
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie - indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet.
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Revelation 2:9
I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
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Just like the church of Smyrna, Philadelphia has to face false
Jews, people trying to damage the progress of the Church.
But the evangelical movement is well launched, being «an open door, and no one can shut
it».
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Conversely, the genuine Jew works with love for Christ and His Church:
«For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that
circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and
circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is
not from men but from God.» (ROMANS 2:28,29)
«For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they
are the seed of Abraham.» (ROMANS 9:6,7)
«And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the
promise.» (GALATIANS 3:29)
«As many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the
Israel of God.» (GALATIANS 6:16)
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Revelation 3:9
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie - indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
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Isaiah 60:14
Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the Lord, Zion the Holy One of Israel.
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Jesus foretells that the Church will triumph over its enemies.
But infinitely more desirable than the defeat of the adversary is his conversion...
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Admitting his error, the opponent bows down at the feet of the Church:
«But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person
comes in, he is convinced by all, he is judged by all. And thus the secrets of his heart
are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is
truly among you.» (1 CORINTHIANS 14:24,25)
«They shall come over in chains; and they shall bow down to you. They will make
supplication to you, saying, "Surely God is in you, and there is no other; there is
no other God."» (ISAIAH 45:14)
«Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who
despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet.» (ISAIAH 60:14)
«Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men from every language of the nations
shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have
heard that God is with you."» (ZECHARIAH 8:23)
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Revelation 3:10
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.
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2 Peter 2:9
The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment.
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Jesus then foretells a worldwide distress. Only those who
persevere in Jesus will be protected from it.
What is this great trial, this great distress?
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Revelation 13:8
And all who dwell on the earth will worship [the beast], whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
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Revelation 14:12
Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
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A great power, whose identity will be revealed in a future
lesson, will soon deceive the whole world.
Only the faithful believer will escape from its snares.
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Persevering in Jesus will be the only way to go through the final trial:
«But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down
with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you
unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole
earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these
things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.» (LUKE 21:34-36)
«At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of
your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a
nation, even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, every one who
is found written in the book.» (DANIEL 12:1)
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Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly!
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Revelation 22:7
Behold, I am coming quickly!
Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.
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Then, Jesus declares, for the first time in His letters to the
churches, that He is coming quickly.
This message is very suitable for Philadelphia, the Awakening Church from 1755 to 1844, a
time when Christians realized as never before the impending return of Jesus Christ.
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Revelation 3:11
Behold, I come quickly!
Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.
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Revelation 2:10
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
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As we can see, the church of Philadelphia is very similar to the
church of Smyrna:
- both of them receive no negative comment from Jesus;
- both of them also have to face the opposition of false Jews;
- and finally, both of them will receive the crown if they persevere in
Jesus until the end.
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Our perseverance will be rewarded with an imperishable crown:
«Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things.
Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.» (1
CORINTHIANS 9:25)
«And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not
fade away.» (1 PETER 5:4)
«Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive
the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.» (JAMES 1:12)
«I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally,
there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His
appearing.» (2 TIMOTHY 4:7,8)
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Revelation 3:12
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more.
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Galatians 2:9
When James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship.
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Jesus promises to him that overcomes that He will make him an
eternal pillar in the temple of God.
The image of the pillar is used to designate the faithful and steadfast Christian who goes
through trials with perseverance.
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Revelation 3:12,13
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar 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 city of My God, the New
Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God.
And I will write on him My new name.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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Jesus ends His letter to Philadelphia by promising to him that
overcomes that he will receive a new name, in addition to bearing the name of God.
As we have seen in the lesson «Letter to the Church of
Pergamos», a new name indicates a new destiny.
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In the Bible, a change of name indicates a new destiny:
«No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall
be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.» (GENESIS 17:5)
«Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God
and with men, and have prevailed.» (GENESIS 32:28)
«In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name
by which she will be called: "The Lord our righteousness".» (JEREMIAH 33:16)
«The nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be
called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will designate. (...) It will no longer
be said of you, "Forsaken", nor to your land will it any longer be said,
"Desolate"; but you will be called "My delight is in her", and your
land, "Married"; for the Lord delights in you, and to Him your land will be
married.» (ISAIAH 62:2,4 - New American Standard Version)
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Revelation 14:1
Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads.
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Revelation 22:3,4
The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in [the city], and His
servants shall serve Him.
They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheadss.
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Whoever receives a new name and bears the name of God on his forehead can look forward to a new destiny: eternal life on the New Earth with Jesus!
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Revelation 3:8
See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
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James 5:8
You also be patient.
Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
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And now, what is the personal application of the letter to the
church of Philadelphia?
While we wait for the return of Jesus, let's take advantage of the door He opens before us
and let's proclaim the gospel with perseverance!
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Revelation 3:8
I know your works.
See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little
strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.
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In spite of modest means, the Awakening Church, symbolized by
Philadelphia, proclaimed with power the message of salvation in Jesus Christ, and His
imminent return. And God blessed its efforts. It's a fine example to follow.
Let's end this lesson with a summary of the letter to Philadelphia.
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The five points of the pattern in the letter to the church of Philadelphia:
1. Portrait of Jesus, according to the spiritual state of
the church.
«He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David.»
(REVELATION 3:7)
2. Praise, acknowledgement of the positive points.
«You have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not
denied My name. (...) You have kept My command to persevere.» (REVELATION 3:8,10)
3. Condemnation, identification of the negative points.
Jesus identifies no negative point for this church.
4. Counsel for the future.
«Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.»
(REVELATION 3:11)
5. Promise, encouragement to persevere.
«He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My
God. (...) And I will write on him the name of My God.» (REVELATION 3:12)
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We invite you to pray with us:
Our Father,
The example of the church of Philadelphia is a source of inspiration for each one of us.
Animated by the sweet hope of the imminent return of Your Son Jesus Christ, this church
served You with a living faith and an unshakeable love.
We humbly ask You to help us to imitate this church, so that the promise
to him who overcomes may also be ours, and that we may be worthy to inherit the new name
You have reserved for those who remain faithful to You until the end.
In Jesus Christ our Savior we pray.
Amen.
The test of Lesson 27 is waiting for you!