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The city of Philadelphia, whose name means brotherly love, was founded by King Attalus of Pergamum around the year 150 BC to the southeast of the city of Sardis, and was the youngest of the 7 cities to which these are addressed. letters from our Lord Jesus Christ.
Later, the Roman Emperor Caesar Tiberius greatly helped the city to recover from its destruction after a great earthquake in AD 17, and so it was renamed Neocaesareus, but it was later renamed Philadelphia to the present day. days.
The Philadelphia church is unique among the 7 churches in Asia Minor, because it is the only one against which the Lord has no complaint. The Lord is clearly identified at the beginning of the letter, the Holy and True One is named, and the one who has the key of David, the one who opens and no one closes and the one who closes and no one opens.
Holiness is the main attribute of Jesus, and this is how it is identified at the beginning of this letter. It is also said to be the true one, another great attribute of Jesus. He was always truthful and taught the way of God with truth.
The Lord recognizes the work and fidelity of this church, which, being of little power, has kept His Word and has not denied His name, therefore He promises that it will open doors of ministry and service that no one will be able to close, and its message is rather of love, encouragement and promise to be protected by his fidelity in the midst of calamity and trial, so we must receive it with joy. This letter is very similar to the one sent to the church in Smyrna, which was also faithful.
This church was recognized for its obedience to Christ by keeping His name under difficult circumstances. Obedience is an act of reaction of faith and is compensated with new and greater responsibilities in the ministry, great doors are opened for the preaching of the Word and expansion of the work of God. Christ opened this great door for this church.
Therefore, we can apply this characteristic in our personal life: Obedience. We must be obedient to God’s statutes to receive the Lord’s promises, which are always yes and amen.
At the end of the letter, Jesus makes promises to this church for its obedience and faithfulness, but the question is: what to do when the Lord comes? He responded to Philadelphia by telling them to persevere and keep what they have, which is his Word. And their names will be inscribed in the new city of Jerusalem.
It is time to obey and be faithful to our Lord and Savior. It is time for repentance and to be part of that privileged group where our name will be inscribed in the book of life.