The Persevering Church-Revelation 3:7-13

So far in our journey through Asia Minor we’ve passed through some fairly interesting churches--churches with inferior preoccupations, churches under the threat of persecution, churches willing to compromise their doctrine to fit in to the surrounding context, churches poisoned with terrible influences, and churches knocking on death’s door. As I was preparing for this message this week, I asked myself, “Would I join any of these churches?” or “Would I return for a second visit?” You might be wondering quietly to yourself “Where are all the good churches at?” Though no church is perfect (as each is filled with imperfect people), we have yet to see a congregation without major issues. Thankfully, the next letter to the next church might prove a bit refreshing. In Revelation 3:7-13, Jesus sends word to the church in Philadelphia and encourages an already persevering church to remain strong and make the most of the opportunities given them. Let’s listen in and be encouraged by this encouraging body of believers.

1.  COMMISSION-3:7a-“…And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:…”

Moving from one extreme (Sardis—a city and church out of its prime) to the other, Jesus’ next message is given to perhaps the strongest of the seven churches in the newest of the seven cities. On this acute juxtaposition between Sardis and Philadelphia Bruce Metzger writes “The letter to Sardis contains almost unmitigated censure; the letter to Philadelphia is one of almost unqualified commendation” (Metzger, Breaking the Code, 41). The city in which this church was ministering—Philadelphia—was founded by the king of Pergamum Eumenes II, or, some argue, his brother Attalus II. When the Romans attempted to turn Attalus against his brother, he remained loyal and earned the nickname “Philadelphus” (literally meaning brotherly-love). Small in stature, the city, as it stood close to Sardis, was also devastated by the earthquake and aftershocks of AD 17. However, this city was rebuilt and flourished. It sat in a lush valley in the heart of Asia Minor and was strategically located at the intersection of several major roads and pointed eastward toward the rest of Asia. Attalus (the city’s founder) intended the new city to serve as a dissemination point for Hellenism into Asia. However, what Attalus hoped would be a launchpad for the Greek way of life, Christ hoped to turn into a epicenter for the spread of the gospel message (Hindson, Revelation , 45-46; Wilson, ZIBBC, 274).

2. CHARACTER-3:7b

Jesus introduces himself (his character) by saying “He who is holy, who is true” (3:7b). This comment on his nature assumes that not only can Jesus’ message be embraced for its purity, it can also be trusted for its veracity as its source possesses these same sublime qualities. This phrase also reiterates Jesus as the sole superior deity against all the typical Greek deities known to have been worshipped in this region. Though the city had few religious traditions (as it was relatively young), at least ten cultic altars have been excavated from this ancient locality. Pagan trends and a hostile Jewish population (that is, hostile toward Christians), meant that while the ministry in Philadelphia enjoyed a lot of opportunities, it also met a lot of opposition.

Next Jesus refers back to Revelation 1:18 and recalls his possession of a certain key—“who has the key of David who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens,” (3:7c). These verses allude to Isaiah 22:22.

Isaiah 22:22-“Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, when he opens no on will shut, when he shuts no one will open”

In this Old Testament passage, the key of David (a type of Christ) is shown to possess incredible power to open and shut, indicating full authority to rule the house. Jesus applies this OT type (David’s authority as king) to himself (Jesus’ authority over a forever kingdom) and suggests that he is the master Keyholder, carrying the government on his shoulders. Keys in those days were often very large and carried over the shoulder (Wilson, ZIBBC, 274). This idea is present in another Christological prediction found in Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6-“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders;”

Jesus therefore introduces himself to this church as the supremely sovereign and holy and true Lord of all (that same One that Isaiah predicted would come and overwhelm all false deities).

3. COMMENDATION-3:8-10

Next, Jesus provides a lengthy commendation/compliment to the body of believers in this region.  Unlike the message to the church in Sardis, Jesus is very verbose and specific when it comes to his commendation of the church in this city. He begins by highlighting the opportunity set before them in verse 8—“I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name,…”. The greatest sovereign and cosmic doorman has placed before this church a golden opportunity which none can shut. The church has “a little power” but they have “kept” Jesus’ Word and had “not denied” his name in spite of pagan pressure and Jewish persecution. Jesus is thus rewarding the faithfulness and deeds of this little church with a grand opportunity that he hoped they would take full advantage of.

As Jesus continues his commendation of this church he draws their attention to the victory promised them—“ Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you,…” (3:9). This “synagogue of Satan” was mentioned in the message to the church in Sardis and again refers to hateful and oppressive first century Jews who were actively persecuting early Christians. These were not real/spiritual Jews, but Jews in name only (“who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie”). The context and background of this church reveals that the Jews in Philadelphia had excommunicated Christians from fellowship with them. This is supported also by the Twelfth Benediction issued by the Jews at the Council of Jamnia in A.D. 90. This benediction formalized the earlier practice of many local synagogues which excommunicated those who professed Jesus (Wilson, Revelation, 274). Here, Jesus encourages the church in Philadelphia by saying, though the Jews may have closed the door of fellowship found in the synagogue, he would be opening a new door of opportunity that none could shut!

Jesus continues by predicting that the Jews would bow down at their feet and he will make them know that I have loved you (the church!). This prediction describes a reversal of what is prophesied in Isaiah 49:23; 60:14. There the prophet predicts that the Gentiles would worship at the feet of Israel (come to the OT people of God for the revelation of God). However, in an ironic twist, the unbelieving Jews will worship at the feet of the true Israel (Gal. 6:16) the NT people of God—saved Jew and Gentile—the church.

Given their commendable perseverance, Jesus also promises coming provision—"Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (3:10). The perseverance of this church demonstrated their faith in Jesus and their relationship with God. Because they are saved now, as indicated by their good deeds and faithfulness, they will be saved in the future and spared the tribulation described later in Revelation (chapters 4-19) during which God’s wrath will be spilled out over an unbelieving earth. This helps serve the pri-tribulation eschatological view—that view which holds that the church will not endure the coming tribulation described in John’s Apocalypse.

This church was faithful in their deeds, poised for a great opportunity, and committed to the Word. It was the persevering church and because if persevered so well, it would not have to endure the coming wrath and judgment of God.

4. CONDEMNATION-NONE

5. CORRECTION-NONE

6. CALL-3:11, 13

The message Jesus extends to this church does not have a condemnation nor does it possess a word of correction. It is the most positive message of the collection of seven letters recorded in Revelation 2-3. That said, Jesus does issue a call to this church—“I am coming quickly; hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown” (3:11). The church is instructed here to hold fast or persevere in all that they have going for them—i.e. “keeping the Word, not denying his name, persevering in faithfulness, etc.” In other words, Jesus tells this church to keep on keeping on. This they are encouraged to do because Jesus is “coming quickly.” The imminence of Christ’s return acts as a motivator for present faithfulness.

Matthew 24:44-“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

The idea is that a believer doesn’t want to be caught off guard or off-mission when Jesus returns. Those who persevere in this way, living as though Jesus could return at any moment, will not be deprived the victor’s crown—“so that no one will take your crown” (3:11).

James 1:12-“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

Interestingly, the city of Philadelphia was known for its games and festivals in which crowns were handed out to winners. Jesus suggests that the ultimate winners are those who persevere in him until his glorious return. Persevering Christians need not fear anything that could potentially take them out as they finish their divinely-commissioned marathon (something that God alone decides when it is complete). These should then expect the victor's crown of heaven!

As with all of the other calls in the messages to these churches, a generalization is made—“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (3:13). Churches ministering in Asia Minor during the first century and those who are on mission today need to heed the call to persevere to the end by faithfully upholding the word of God as God grants opportunity. These are promised the ultimate victor’s crown.

7. CHALLENGE-3:12

The final component of this mostly positive message to the churches is introduced by the familiar phrase—“he who overcomes” (3:12a). In this case “overcomers” are those who persevere in faithfulness –i.e. hold fast to the word of God and take advantage of divinely-appointed opportunities. One might say that overcomers in this context are those who keep on keeping on for Jesus.

To these Jesus promises two things. First—“I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore” (3:12b).  This language is clearly metaphorical and refers to the future residence of God’s presence in a highly figurative way. In Revelation 21:22, John acknowledges that there is no temple in the New Jerusalem. In fact, the Jerusalem that comes down from heaven is all temple and Christ’s victorious ones are it’s living stones and pillars (Thomas, Revelation 1-7, 292). Therefore, the Philadelphian Christians (and all other saints) are promised to serve as a permanent fixtures in God’s future heaven when all else has fallen.  

This kind of language is not without New Testament precedent. Christians are called a “temple” of the Holy Spirit and “living stones” in 1 Corinthians 6:19 and 1 Peter 2:15 respectively.

1 Corinthians 6:19-“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.”

1 Peter 2:15-“you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Jesus predicts that those who persevere will endure in these spiritual ways, much as skillfully constructed temples and their pillars endured in western Asia in the first century. Asian temples were, for instance, build to withstand earthquake damage. “Their foundations were laid on beds of charcoal covered with fleeces, which caused the structure to “float” on the soil like a raft…the temples would be among the most secure structures in the city” (Wilson, ZIBBC, 275). As powerful and prominent as these temples and their pillars were during the first century, Jesus promises that his persevering believers will prove even stronger and stand forever as a testimony of their faithfulness to Him.

Jesus adds to this promise the following comment: “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 My new name,…” (3:12c). Ancient pillars were often inscribed with important figures’ names and other impressive notes to commemorate builders or benefactors or those who managed their properties and/or the activities that took place therein. Here, Jesus says that the pillars (his church) in heaven will bear the name of God, and the name of the New Jerusalem which will come down out of the sky.

The promise issued to those who overcome is a permanent place in the eternal city of God that is to come—what a glorious hope!

So What?

Are you a persevering believer? Is this a persevering church? Are we upholding the word of God in all situations and making the most of the opportunities God has given us? The church of Philadelphia stood at a prominent intersection in the ancient world, giving it a unique position to stand for Jesus and leverage influence in a powerful region. It was doing all it could to this end and Jesus himself commends them and encourages them with promises of glory. Our church—Crystal Spring Baptist Church—stands in prominent neighborhood in Roanoke—a place teaming with potential and resources that could be used mightily for God’s kingdom-building work. Are we doing all that we can to reach our context, and, in so doing, reach this city?

Like the church in Philadelphia, we have been given opportunities to uphold the Word of God in special ways. Our perseverance is witnessed in faithfully walking through the doors our sovereign Lord opens for us no matter what. This week, a door God has opened for us comes in the form of our church’s threshold that will be opened to the community at our Halloween event. Maybe a step you can take toward faithfulness involves helping get the word out, inviting a friend, praying for our event, and attending to serve. Perhaps God has opened or is opening a door for you in your workplace, family, among your friends, etc. Whatever intersection God has led you to in your life, whatever gate of opportunity that you find unlocked before you, the encouragement we glean from this passage is make the most of it for the glory of God! What have we to fear? God has a place for us in his forever kingdom!