Only admirable words are given to this congregation in Philadelphia. Messiah found nothing in them to comment on in a negative fashion. We should pay close attention to what they were like, so we can learn from them. As we apply truth, to our lives, it has a sanctifying (holy) influence upon it.

VERSE 7: “And to the messenger of the congregation of Philadelphia write: Thus, says the HolyOne and the True One, which is in His hands the Key of David. The One who opens, and it is not closed and the One who closes, and it does not open.”

Holiness and truth go hand in hand. When we don’t walk in truth we will not be manifesting holiness. When we don’t apply truth to our lives we will not understand the purposes of God. David is synonymous with the Kingdom. God made a covenant with David. (2 Samuel 7) ‘The one who opens’ – True believers have eternal security. Once saved always saved. The concern is this: If someone hears that it is like giving them a license to sin. No, it is not! One of the main reasons someone comes to faith is to turn away from sin (dark, painful, depressing, shameful way of life) and live a life that is pleasing to God (Romans 6v1-14)
True believers want holiness and truth. There is an eternal nature to this covenant. Those who are saved, can’t be made unsaved. The promise of the gospel is that we have eternal life. When God saves it is an eternal salvation. If eternal life can be lost it never was eternal.

It won’t be opened for them who reject God and truth (David’s covenant).

VERSE 8: “For I know your works. Behold! I have set before you an open door which no man will be able to close. For, although you have a little strength, you keep my Word and have not denied My name.”

Every congregation, and every individual, is evaluated by G-d. When we exemplify obedience to the Word of God we are going to have an open door. The enemy will not be able to defeat us. The Word of God is synonymous with the name and character of God. It’s only when we walk in obedience that we are going to display the character of G-d in our lives. This is victory.
Verse 9: “Behold I am making the men from the synagogue of satan, the ones who say ‘we are Jews’, but they are not for they are liars, behold I am making that they should come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.”

A Synagogue is a ‘house of assembly’, a community centre – not specifically for Jewish people. This was a place where judgement often took place.

These religious ‘leaders’ say they are praising God, but they are not. We need to know what is right and what is wrong. Permissible or impermissible. This congregation spoke truth in the situations that they found themselves in – they were not worried about what the public response was going to be. As a result of this, these ‘leaders” would be brought under their
authority, their ruler ship.

This congregation, who Messiah finds so praiseworthy, demonstrates that God loves them. The hope would be that the ‘liars’, when they see the testimony of this congregation, would be convicted, repent and begin to rightly worship God. (Matthew 5v16)

VERSE 10: “Because you have guarded the Word with patience, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming upon the whole world; To test those who dwell upon the earth.”

This hour, that He is speaking about, is that latter half of that 7-year time period as seen in Daniel (see 2v22 for the explanation).
Two things have to happen right near the end (pre rapture):

1. A battle has to take place (Daniel 8) – which will give rise to the antichrist.

2. A temple needs to be built in Jerusalem, and sacrifices (that will not be pleasing to God) need to once again be performed.

In the middle of that 7-year time period, the antichrist goes into the Holy of Holies (2 Thessalonians 2v3-4) and proclaims himself to be God. This is what is known as the abomination that causes desolation (Daniel 9v27, 11v31 and 12v11; Matthew 24v15) This will be one of the last events that believers are going to see. Soon thereafter, the rapture is going to happen.

All who are left behind are unsaved. A remnant, of both Gentiles and those of the house of Israel, will come to faith in the midst of the tribulation that follows the rapture. This will be the worst time of persecution that the world has ever known (Daniel 12v1).
In the book of Revelation there are two types of people:

1. Those who dwell on earth; an idiom for those who live according to the worlds standards.

2. Those who dwell in heaven; an idiom for those who live according to Kingdom principles.

Where they ‘dwell’ has nothing to do with their physical location.

VERSE 11: “Behold I am coming quickly. Therefore, strengthen what you have, on account that no man should take your crown.”

We need to live with eager expectation in regard to the rapture. (Hebrews 9v28)

This verse is not talking about salvation but about rewards. When we worship G-d we don’t want to appear before Him empty handed – without crowns/rewards. God gave everything for us, and it will be shameful to show that we gave nothing in response to Him.

VERSE 12: “The one who overcomes I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he shall not go outside. I will write upon him the Name of My God, and the name of the city of My G-d (the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from My God) and My new name.” (Messiah)

‘Pillars’ are for support. They are strong and stand firm. They play a part in building up God’s house. (His body)

‘He shall not go outside’: Continual intimacy with Him.

The character of God will be written upon the people of this congregation. They will experience the fulfilment of God’s will in their life.
The ‘new Jerusalem’ is synonymous with the final state of the Kingdom. Getting its name written on a believer alludes to inheritance. (James 1v17)

These people are going to understand Messiah’s real identity

VERSE 13: “He who has an ear let him hear what the Spirit says to the congregations.”