The 7 Churches of Revelation: Philadelphia

The sixth church in our study is the Church of Philadelphia – the faithful church.

The Church of Philadelphia is like the Church of Smyrna in the sense that Jesus doesn’t find fault with them and they’re holding on to God’s word even in the midst of trials and those that seek to do them harm, “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,” (Revelation 3:8).

It seems that the Church of Philadelphia may have “little strength” possibly when it comes to the influence they may have in their area or what they’re able to accomplish, but still God provides for them. In verse 10, Jesus references the tribulation that will befall the earth for a period of 7 years, “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”.

This in itself is more than confirmation from Jesus that like the Church of Philadelphia, to those that trust in him and hold to his word and don’t deny his name, he won’t allow us to go through this trialing period as the rest of the world will.

Jesus wraps up the letter by telling them what’s to gain if they overcome, “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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,” (Revelation 3:12).

Here Jesus is referencing a time period after the millennium and great white throne judgement in which New Jerusalem will descend from heaven, unto earth, where God will reside with his people forever, “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God,'” (Revelation 21:2-3)

If you enjoyed this study, you can find similar studies on the book of Revelation here including the 24 Elders, the 4 living creatures, 4 Horseman, etc.