8 I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 ‘Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. (Revelation 3:9)
It’s always a relief to hear that you’re in good shape, that the blood test came back unremarkable, or the dentist found no cavities. We try to avoid being assessed, fearing the worse, that we’ve fallen short. But sooner or later we’ll be scrutinized. What we should fear far more is the Lord’s assessment of us. He sees and hears everything, he knows our innermost thoughts, and he sees into every chamber of our hearts. Here, certain Philadelphians were told they could pass through the “open door” because they possessed “a little power,” kept his word, and stayed loyal to him. Same goes for us when the time comes.
Philadelphia was 36 miles south of Sardis, whose church was teetering on the edge of extinction. Being in the valley of the Cogamus River, it was well situated for agriculture. But it was also 20 miles south of an active volcano (Catacecaumene or Kulu) which caused earlier havoc and warranted a restoration program, and was an ever-present looming concern. But on the bright side, past eruptions provided nutrient-rich soil in which the city’s farmers grew luscious grapes, from which was produced much sought after wine.
With this “black cloud” of potential disaster hanging over them, we discover that the Lord’s letter to the church in this city was free from rebuke, and contained high praise for the church’s commitment to and reliance upon the Word of God, from which it possessed power, albeit small in amount. Nevertheless, as with yeast in baking, a little of the Lord’s “power” goes a long way!
Verse 8 poses some challenges for those who reside on the “sovereign” side of the aisle, yet it adequately illustrates the operation of “free will” in the context of a door held open by the hand of an almighty God, providing theological tension. The Lord acknowledges the exercise of a modicum of faith on the part of the saints In Philadelphia—evidenced by their keeping his word and refusing to deny his name despite the presence of the “synagogue of Satan” in their city—and accordingly, he holds the door open which no one can shut, including them. And there’s more.
‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
This verse is often quoted by “pretribbers” to support their belief that the saints will be “caught up” (harpazō in the Greek, 1 Thessalonians 4:17) prior to the seven-year judgment of the “whole world.” The important factor is whether we are like the Philadelphians, who at some point in their lives, possessing only a “little power,” walked through the door held open by Jesus into eternal life. These had already passed the test—we’re on the other side of the threshold looking back—and can simply wait to find out if this eschatological “take” is true. There is no downside to believing this way, with more than enough scriptural support on which to cast your lot (John 14:10-13, 1 Corinthians 15:52-52, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).
But for discussion’s sake, however, if the seven years of God’s wrath commenced with the reading of this letter to the Philadelphians, in that very hour, the faithful in that church would have been snatched away and kept from (tērein ek) the “hour of testing.” This is what the Lord promised, is it not? To all the actual and would-be theologians out there, might I suggest that even Satan believes this teaching to be true, and that’s why he’s working overtime to rob us of the joy that comes from this blessed hope.
‘I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)
In light of this promise, the church at Philadelphia was not to rest on its laurels, but to be all the more vigilant. Those who have been promised extraction prior to tribulation “the likes of which the world has never known,” are to hold onto their crowns for dear life, as if they could be taken from them (but they can’t).
‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. (Revelation 3:12)
Many must carry an ID to gain access to secured buildings. Some work for entities on a temporary basis. Those who overcome by virtue of their unflinching faith in Jesus have his name etched on them prominently and permanently at the time of salvation, with heavenly access to the “temple” of God granted once and for all time. Moreover, while the Philadelphians’ city shook from the frequent tremors of Catacecaumene, they’d be sturdy immovable pillars in the temple of God.
The Lord protects those who unflinchingly cling to his promises.
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