Attalus Philadelphia, king of Pergamum, who died in 138 BC, built this city, and it was named after him by his brother Eumenes. The city was located 25 miles southeast of Sardis and about 100 miles due east of Smyrna. This was the youngest of the cities addressed in the seven letters. The city was situated along the fertile volcanic plain of Katakekaumene. This was an area that was well suited for growing grapes and producing wine, both of which the city was well known for. The city’s economic prosperity was also influenced by the large textile and leather industries. In addition to its agricultural success, Philadelphia prospered commercially. It was nestled in the same broad Hermus River Valley as Sardis. Furthermore, the imperial post road of the first century A.D., which came from Rome via Troas, Adramyttium, Pergamum, and Sardis, passed through this valley and Philadelphia on the way to the east. This strategic location at the juncture of the trade routes leading to Mysia, Lydia and Phrygia had helped Philadelphia earn the title “Gateway to the East.” The city was originally intended to serve as center to advance the Greek language and culture throughout this region. In A.D. 17 an earthquake that destroyed Sardis and ten other cities also destroyed Philadelphia. After the devastating earthquake, Tiberius came to the peoples' aid and had the city rebuilt. In gratitude the citizens renamed it Neocaesarea ("New Caesar"). Although nothing is known about the origin of the Philadelphian church, in A.D. 100-160 the church prospered. Long after all the surrounding country had succumbed to Muslim control under Turkey, Philadelphia held out as a Christian populace till 1392. Its Christian challenge saw the city as being very strategic as well. The Christians in Philadelphia had a tremendous opportunity for outreach which could not be ignored. No condemnation is included in this letter, but a challenge for patient endurance and good use of the door that was opened for them. Today I would like us to discover what we can learn from this letter to the church at Philadelphia.
I. The letter begins with a description of Christ.
A. Jesus uses the words of the prophet Isaiah to introduce Himself to the church.
1. Jesus establishes His own identity with three affirmations.
2. He is holy, meaning separate from sin; pure.
3. Holiness is the attribute of God whereby we sense the presence of the "Wholly Other," the one who says, "I am God, and not man—the Holy One among you.”
4. I will not carry out my fierce anger, nor will I devastate Ephraim again. For I am God, and not a man—the Holy One among you. I will not come against their cities. (Hosea 11:9—NIV 2011)
5. He is the true One. The Greek word used here for true means real or genuine.
6. He is the "True One" in that he is wholly trustworthy and reliable in his words and actions.
7. He is the sovereign one who holds the key of David.
8. Each of these identifications calls attention to Jesus as the true Messiah.
B. For this congregation for whom Christ has only commendation, these titles would bring encouragement, despite their "little strength" to go on in their faithfulness.
1. Here the knowledge of the speaker and his verdict blend together in untarnished praise as in the letter to Smyrna.
2. The reference to the key of David refers to Isaiah 22:22 where King Hezekiah’s faithful servant Eliakim would be given the high responsibility of carrying the keys to the royal palace instead of the unfaithful Shebna.
3. The "key" signifies the power of the keys that were normally held by the king himself, unless delegated to another.
4. The use of the name "David" points to Christ as the Messiah, who alone determines who will participate in his kingdom and who will be turned away. "He opens, no one can shut; … he shuts, no one can open."
5. This may allude to the false claims of certain Jews at Philadelphia who argued that they, not the heretical Nazarenes, would inherit the kingdom of David and thus excluded the followers of Jesus. But the true Messiah, Jesus, will exclude them!
II. An examination of the character and condition of the church.
A. Unlike the dying church at Sardis the church at Philadelphia was very much alive with quite a few strengths worth noting.
1. This was a church of great opportunity, strategically located where it could help spread the Gospel message throughout Asia.
2. This was a church of little power, possibly referring to its size and the social status of its members.
3. This church was faithful to the Word of God. They remained true and genuine in their obedience to Christ.
4. A church of good reputation, with no compromise because they have stood firm.
B. In a beautiful reflection the Philadelphian believers mirrored the character of the one who wrote to them.
1. When Jesus looked at them He saw Himself.
2. The church could receive no greater compliment and project no greater image.
III. Jesus can see the specific attacks that are coming and offers four words of comfort.
A. I Jesus will humble your enemies and open their eyes to the truth.
1. As in Smyrna the first adversaries to greet these Christians at Christ’s open door had been hostile Jews.
2. We catch a glimpse here of the ever-widening gap between Judaism and Christianity toward the end of the first century.
3. The Christless Jews are here portrayed as captives on the battlefield.
4. The children of your oppressors will come bowing before you; all who despise you will bow down at your feet and will call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah 60:14—NIV 2011)
5. Now the tables would be turned as the Jews would now bow before the Gentiles and recognize the church of Jesus as the new and true Israel.
B. I will keep you from maximum affliction.
1. Commentators have long debated the exact meaning of this statement.
2. Some feel it could refer to persecutions in the Philadelphian’s day or refer to the judgment on the Day of the Lord.
3. Whatever the case, and however it is expressed we can count on Christ’s faithful, protective presence.
4. In return we are urged to remain steadfast in our faithfulness to Him and protect our heavenly reward.
C. I will make you strong and secure.
1. Like Sardis the city of Philadelphia had felt devastating effects of the earthquake of 17 AD.
2. During the time of these letters the disastrous effects of these will still fresh on their minds.
3. The city which suffered so much and so long from instability was to be rewarded with divine firmness and steadfastness.
4. As has already been noted, the city was constantly threatened with earthquakes. Often the only parts of a city left standing after a severe quake were the huge stone temple columns.
5. Along with the promise of security was the promise of joy.
D. I will give you a whole new identity.
1. Remembering how in days past the changes of name their city received Neocaesarea; the Philadelphians would be impressed that God himself (not the emperor) had chosen to identify himself with them and to insure their citizenship in the New Jerusalem.
2. The new name of Christ given to the believer, his possession by Christ through redemption.
3. At any rate great promises to the ones who remain faithful.
IV. Some words of application for us today.
A. Open doors. They come and we are grateful, excited even though it is something we cannot understand but know is from God.
1. Then often resistance begins to surface either from within or without causing us to be thrown.
2. Suddenly we doubt ourselves, the open door and the future.
3. Suddenly we find ourselves sinking in the very waves that threatened Peter.
4. James wrote to remind us about the subject of doubt.
5. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (James 1:6—NIV 2011)
B. Having the faith to walk through these open doors is not about plans, charts, marketing or self confidence.
1. It’s about faith in Him and learning to keep His word.
2. It’s about not denying Him in the face of persecution and suffering.
3. This all about learning to take one small step at a time with our eyes fully focused on Him.
4. Jesus’ words to the Philadelphians struck deep because they spoke to their past as well as their present.
Closing:
During the 1996 Summer Olympics, the battle for the gold medal in gymnastics came down to one event the vault. The Russians had the edge. Nothing less than a near-perfect performance could win the gold for the U.S. The first two attempts were made by U.S. gymnast Dominique Dawes. On each of her two tries, she fell. With the gold medal in the balance, the U.S. sent their final contender, a young gymnast with her left ankle already wrapped from an earlier injury. She walked up to the 82-foot runway, and gave it all she had. She hit the vault, flipped over, and landed badly, grimacing in pain. She limped back for her second try with pain shooting up her leg with every step. Her coach asked her if she could make the second attempt, and she nodded. Wracked with pain, she made one final run down the runway. She did a cartwheel off the vault, landed on the spring-board, sprang onto the horse, did a 1 twist, and landed full force on both feet. The pain of two additional torn ligaments in her ankle caused her to momentarily falter. Then she straightened up, balanced on her right foot, lifted both hands in triumph, and with tears coursing down her face won the gold. Then she fell to the floor, rocking with pain.
When asked why she did it, young Kerri Strug, the hero of the 1996 Summer Olympics, said, I knew if I didn't do the vault, we weren't going to win the gold and all the hard work the whole team had put in would be for nothing.
