The letter to the church in Philadelphia is a breath of fresh air. Sandwiched between the two more negative letters is one of two letters that had nothing negative written about them. The church in Philadelphia had little power (v.8). It would have been easy for the church there to give up. It would’ve made sense for them to see their limitations and let that hold them back from serving God. But, the church in Philadelphia did the opposite. Much like the children’s story “The Little Engine That Could,” this church looked beyond its limitations so that it could accomplish great things.
We don’t know all of the great things that this church did, but we do know that the Lord looked highly on them. Unlike some of the other churches mentioned in Revelation 2 & 3, some of which were bigger and had more influence in the community, the church in Philadelphia, as already mentioned, had nothing negative written about them. This is one of those instances when silence speaks louder than words, as the lack of negativity shows the strength of this small church.
Jesus promises several things to the faithful in Philadelphia. They relied on His Word rather than denying His name, like so many others did (v.8). The unbelievers would bow down at the feet of the believers, and would come to know the true love of God for His followers (v.9). They would be spared during the time of trial and of the judgment (v.10). Jesus would come to claim them again one day (v.11). The faithful one will be made a pillar in the temple of God (v.12). In other words, the faithful one will be a significant piece in God’s kingdom. That’s a lot of promises for a church with little power!
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What can we learn from the example of this church? I believe 4 things: 1. Rely on His Word. The Christians in Philadelphia did not deny God, but they relied on Him. 2. Take the opportunities that God presents you. He offered the church in Philadelphia several “open doors” (v.7-8), and he offers many to us each day. 3. God will take care of us. A little church could have easily been overcome internally by self-pity for what they didn’t have or externally by larger and more powerful forces, but God took care of them. God has always taken care of His people, and will continue to take care of us for all eternity. 4. Limitations do not define us. Moses had apprehensions about his abilities, but God helped him lead a nation out of captivity. David was a boy of small stature, but he overcame a mighty giant with a sling and one stone. Paul had a “thorn in his flesh” but he overcame that weakness because where he is weak he was made strong, because God’s power was shown in weakness (2 Cor. 12:9-10). That is the attitude the Philadelphian people had, and it is the attitude we should have today. God knows no limitation.
~ Jared McLeod
