Revelation 3:8
"I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door,
and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and
hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name."
Philadelphia was the youngest of all the seven cities. It was founded by colonists from Pergamos under the reign of Attalus the Second, who ruled in Pergamos from 159 to 138 B.C. for there was little danger there. It was founded with the deliberate intention that it might be a missionary of Greek culture and language to Lydia and Phrygia; and it did it's work so well that by A.D. 19, the Lydians had forgotten their own language and were all but Greeks.
Philadelphia was "the center for the diffusion of Greek language and Greek letters in a peaceful land and by peaceful means." That is what Christ means, when He speaks of the open door that is set before Philadelphia. Three centuries before, Philadelphia had been given an open door to spread Greek ideas in the lands beyond; and now there has come to it another great missionary opportunity, to carry to men who never knew it the message of the love of Jesus Christ.
Of all the cities Philadelphia receives the greatest praise and it was to show that it deserved it. For centuries it was a free Greek Christian city a midst a pagan people. It was not till midway through the fourteenth century that it fell; and to this day there is a Christian bishop and a thousand Christians in it. With the exception of Smyrna the other Churches are in ruins, but Philadelphia still holds aloft the banner of the Christian faith.
There had been one definite act in Philadelphia's past time; and the implication is that there had been some kind of trial, out of which the Church had emerged triumphantly true. They may have only a little strength; their resources may be small; but, if they are faithful, they will see the dawn of the triumph of Christ. That which must keep a Christian faithful is the vision of a world for Christ, for the coming of such a world depends on the fidelity of the individual Christian.
Christ Say's, For those who have kept, I also will keep. When we are called upon to show endurance, the endurance of Jesus Christ supplies us with three things. First, it supplies us with an example. Second, it supplies us with an inspiration. We must walk looking to Him, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame (Heb. 12:1-2). Third the endurance of Jesus Christ is the guarantee of his sympathy with us when we are called upon to endure. "Because he himself has suffered and been tempted he is able to help those who are tempted" (Heb. 2:18).
In Rev. 3:12, we come to the promises of Christ to those who are faithful. The faithful Christian will be a pillar in the Temple of God. A pillar of the Church is a great and honored support. Peter and James and John were the pillars of the early church in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:9).
Jesus Christ will write on the faithful Christians head the name of His God. It is just possible that we have an Old Testament picture. When God told to Moses the blessing which Aaron and the priests must pronounce over the people, he said: "They shall put my name upon the people of Israel" (Num.6:22-27). It is the same idea again; it is as if the mark of God was upon Israel so that all men may know that they are his people. Of all the cities Philadelphia receives the greatest praise and it was to show that it deserved it. For centuries it was a free Greek Christian city a midst a pagan people. It was not till midway through the fourteenth century that it fell; and to this day there is a Christian bishop and a thousand Christians in it. With the exception of Smyrna the other Churches are in ruins, but Philadelphia still holds aloft the banner of the Christian faith.
There had been one definite act in Philadelphia's past time; and the implication is that there had been some kind of trial, out of which the Church had emerged triumphantly true. They may have only a little strength; their resources may be small; but, if they are faithful, they will see the dawn of the triumph of Christ. That which must keep a Christian faithful is the vision of a world for Christ, for the coming of such a world depends on the fidelity of the individual Christian.
Christ Say's, For those who have kept, I also will keep. When we are called upon to show endurance, the endurance of Jesus Christ supplies us with three things. First, it supplies us with an example. Second, it supplies us with an inspiration. We must walk looking to Him, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame (Heb. 12:1-2). Third the endurance of Jesus Christ is the guarantee of his sympathy with us when we are called upon to endure. "Because he himself has suffered and been tempted he is able to help those who are tempted" (Heb. 2:18).
In Rev. 3:12, we come to the promises of Christ to those who are faithful. The faithful Christian will be a pillar in the Temple of God. A pillar of the Church is a great and honored support. Peter and James and John were the pillars of the early church in Jerusalem (Gal. 2:9).
On the faithful Christian the name of the new Jerusalem is to be written. That stands for the gift of citizenship in the city of God to the faithful Christian. According to Ezekiel the name of the re-created city of God was to be The Lord is there (Ezek. 48:35). The faithful ones will be citizens of the city where there is always the presence of God.
Amen!!
Reading: (Rev. 3:7-13)
Ref: (HGSB; BSB)
May God Bless You
And Your Family
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry
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