Rev 3:7-13 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; (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. (9) Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (10) Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. (11) Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (12) Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (13) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Good morning, reader! Pull up a chair, open your Bible and sit a while with your favorite morning beverage. We are about to read the letter to the Church at Philadelphia. This church is especially a blessing to read because it represents our current Church age! This is the age where believers have the blessed hope of being raptured before that great and horrifying day of the Lord.
Tit 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
The horrifying seven-year Tribulation will be like none that has ever occurred on this earth. As mankind has grown more wicked, it will take more judgments and wrath from God in order to get their attention. The more one sins, the harder the heart is toward the things of God. It is going to be a period of great fear and destruction. This is the very topic that led me to the Saviour and I have rejoiced daily that I am going to be included in this blessed event, unless the Lord calls me Home before.
The Church of Philadelphia is not mentioned anywhere else in the Scriptures. It, too, was nearly destroyed by the great earthquake of 17AD and it never fully recovered. It was known for its principle crop of grapes. Ironically, the unbelievers worshipped Bacchus, the Roman god of wine.
Bacchus was the unrestrained Roman god of wine and revelry, religious ecstasy, and frenzied creativity. The Romans believed that Bacchus inspired his worshipers in their drunken state, freeing them to think and act in new ways.
mythopedia.com
This city was built by Philadelphus, King of Pergamum. It was eventually taken by Bajazet in 1390. It is now the town named Allahshar, and Islam is the only religion. How sad that Christianity faded!
Historically, the Church at Philadelphia covers the period from 1750 until the Rapture. this time frame is also occupied by the Church at Laodicea covering the time span between the 1900’s through the Tribulation. Do you wonder why two Churches run side by side? Apparently the Church in the 1900’s branched off into two and resulted in the evangelistic Church and the liberal, apostate church. The liberal “thinkers” became prominent during the 1900’s and this liberalism crept into the Church. But as usual, there was a holy remnant who shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ from 1750 until today. We see the continuation of John Wesley’s preaching as well as Jonathan Edwards, who was also prominent. There were four segments to the Great Awakening:
- Starting at the end of the last Church from 1730-1740, Jonathan Edwards and John Wesley were leading many to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
- From 1790-1840, America was spiritually awakened. It is said that 10,000 souls per week were won to the Lord in New York City alone! Oh that this would happen today! The awakening spread throughout New England and Baptists baptized over a million converts. The gospel’s effects were felt for 40 years after that!
- A Welsh revival occurred from 1855 to 1930 and entire towns were transformed. Bars closed down and lives were literally changed. It was said that the coal production industry went down because the donkeys wouldn’t move when the townsmen told them to move! Why? The donkeys were accustomed to being cursed at and the townsmen were no longer cursing! Now THAT is a changed life, amen? (2 Cor. 5:17 was truly accomplished)
- From 1960-1980, America saw an awakening with Billy Graham’s evangelistic tours. Hearts were stirred at this time. I’m not promoting his work as his doctrine was different than what I believe; however, one cannot deny the hearts that came to Christ because of his ministry. In fact, I was born again in 1980, not because of Billy Graham but because of a faithful servant who shared the Gospel with me. At that time, many were going door to door spreading the Gospel. Today, going door to door could get you arrested for not being “woke”!
The Church at Philadelphia is alive and well today. Because of its evangelism, souls have been saved and there are still a few good churches around the world. These are the churches who did not close down during the epidemic and Pastors refused to obey the government’s mandates for closure. These are the churches who preach the whole counsel of God and win souls and not churches who have a “life coach” that only speaks in generalities.
This is the second Church that Jesus didn’t reprimand (the Church at Smyrna being the other). This Church’s faithfulness will be rewarded with the Rapture and they won’t have to go through the Tribulation.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
This is a wonderful promise which is taught throughout the New Testament and brings encouragement to all believers. The Apostle Paul did not want us to be ignorant in the area of the end times. The last series covering the Rapture goes into the details and Scriptures – if you haven’t read it, you can access it here. Despite the wickedness and fear displayed by the world today, born-again Christians all over are awaiting their Blessed Hope and appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet us in the air! I, for one, am encouraged by the “signs” of His return! I’m not afraid of what will happen and how bad things are getting. The war between Russia and Ukraine doesn’t bother me in the least. The rising inflation and threats of economic collapse don’t frighten me at all. Why? Because the Lord has promised that this generation will not pass away before He comes for us. Israel (the fig tree) became a nation in May 1948 and the generation alive to see this is the final generation before the Tribulation.
Luk 21:29-33 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; (30) When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. (31) So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. (32) Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. (33) Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.
Dear reader, are you going to be one of those who will experience the Rapture? If not, wouldn’t you want to be a part of it? It excites me that the Rapture might occur before I die! I will get to go up into the clouds to meet Jesus. As I’m going up, my earthly body will be changed to an eternal body! Jesus was able to be touched by His disciples and He also ate. Just as the body of Jesus after His resurrection was changed, so will ours! Praise the Lord God Almighty!
Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!