To the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write this: “‘The holy one, the true, who holds the key of David, who opens and no one shall close, who closes and no one shall open, says this: 8 “‘“I know your works (behold, I have left an open door before you, which no one can close). You have limited strength, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make those of the assembly of Satan who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying, behold I will make them come and fall prostrate at your feet, and they will realize that I love you. 10 Because you have kept my message of endurance, I will keep you safe in the time of trial that is going to come to the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. 11 I am coming quickly. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one may take your crown. 12 “‘“The victor I will make into a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will never leave it again. On him I will inscribe 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, as well as my new name. 13 “‘“Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Philadelphia had a small but faithful Christian community. Christ the Holy One, the true Messiah, is the only mediator between humanity and God. He knows that the Christian community has remained faithful in preaching the Gospel in his name even though they are few in number. He has opened the door to the kingdom of God which no one can close (Is. 22:22). The Jews who are persecuting them will be made to acknowledge publicly that the Messiah loves them. They have to persevere in the faith and they will be strengthened in the trials that are to come. Christ will make those who are victorious eternal pillars in God’s heavenly Temple upon which three names will be inscribed: God, Jerusalem, and Christ. Jerusalem is the new Jerusalem where there is no building but where there is a direct relationship between the people and the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. (Rev. 21:22).
Almighty God, help us to accept our trials and strengthen us as we persevere in serving you. Grant us the gifts of wisdom and understanding that we may spread the truth of your word to others in accordance with your will. This we pray through Christ our lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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