7 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

8 "'I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie-behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.

10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' https://esv.org/Rev3.7-13

Revelation 3:7-13 - Four Promises for Philadelphia

Introduction

The city of Philadelphia was “located along the strategic road which linked Asia with Europe, Philadelphia [...] was, in a sense, a kind of gateway between east and west...”.

Unlike Sardis, Jesus only has words of commendation for this church.

Jesus encourages this weak but faithful church with four powerful promises.

I. First Promise: True Access

Jesus identifies Himself with the God of Israel, the Holy one and the one, true Messiah.

And Jesus is telling the Philadelphians: I am the one who gives you access into the true assembly.

II. Second Promise: True Vindication

Jesus’ promise is: those who have humiliated you, will one day bow before you. Those who have rejected you will one day recognize that I am the Messiah and that I loved you.

III. Third Promise: Help

Jesus promises as those “have kept His word and have not denied my His name” will be upheld. We will be upheld by His strength, not our own.

IV. Fourth Promise: Security

Jesus promises His people that they will have real security because their destiny is sure: they will be with Him forever.

Jesus also assures them that He will place His name on them. This means that we belong to Him. We are secure.