The sixth of the letters to the churches, Philadelphia’s placement in the circular journey of Revelation does not signify a status of less importance. Rather, the Church of Philadelphia stands out among its more significant peers. In its humbleness, the Church of Philadelphia proclaims reverence and highlights servitude to the Lord. The letter to Philadelphia is situated between the letter to Sardis and Laodicea, two churches defined by complacency. The Church of Sardis was located in one of the oldest and wealthiest cities, but in this steady life, the church grew quiet to the point of achieving peace only death brings. The church failed in its loyalty and reliance on the Lord. Similarly, Laodicea was also a wealthy city in which the people
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As a result, the church has become “lukewarm” and similarly mirroring the “death” Sardis experiences. Situated between these two complacent cities, Philadelphia achieves an attention that otherwise could not have been achieved except through demand – an attribute that cannot be ascribed to Philadelphia. Historically speaking, Philadelphia was situated on a major Roman road which lead into the east. The name derives from the influential founders of the city, two brothers, Eumenes II and Attalus II. The latter resisted pressure from Rome to turn against his older brother, thus the nickname “Brotherly Love”. Ironically enough, the context from which the city earned its name is similar to that situations the Church of Philadelphia found themselves in. The church faced strong Jewish opposition similar to that in Smyrna, the reason these two churches have no rebuke in their letters. Thus, Philadelphia’s letter distinguishes itself not because of the church’s actions, but because of the Lord’s exhortation and blessing to a rather small and unknown …show more content…
who is holy 2. who is true and 3. who has the key of David. By diagramming the description in such a way, the triune nature of God is highlighted. As translated, the word “true” is defined as “real or genuine”. Barclay argue this is to mean that in Christ alone is true and genuine joy is found, all others being false (72). According to Strong’s Concordance the word “holy” is hagios, meaning to set apart or that which is different from the world. Furthermore, it is the word often used in the title “Holy Spirit”. The third part of the description does not regard a characteristic but a possession: “who has the key”, not who is the key like one might expect. This is a reference to Isaiah 22:22 in that that one who holds the key to David opens the door to the Messianic kingdom (Resseguie, 97). In so much as to say, Christ is the one who serves as the steward of God, introducing humanity to him (Barclay 72). While one could argue that having the key is a fundamental part of Christ’s essence, there is a distinct reason John uses “has” rather than “is”; God gave Christ the role of steward. Continuing, the structure of the v. 7 serves to emphasize the authority of Christ as indicated by the
As a result, the church has become “lukewarm” and similarly mirroring the “death” Sardis experiences. Situated between these two complacent cities, Philadelphia achieves an attention that otherwise could not have been achieved except through demand – an attribute that cannot be ascribed to Philadelphia. Historically speaking, Philadelphia was situated on a major Roman road which lead into the east. The name derives from the influential founders of the city, two brothers, Eumenes II and Attalus II. The latter resisted pressure from Rome to turn against his older brother, thus the nickname “Brotherly Love”. Ironically enough, the context from which the city earned its name is similar to that situations the Church of Philadelphia found themselves in. The church faced strong Jewish opposition similar to that in Smyrna, the reason these two churches have no rebuke in their letters. Thus, Philadelphia’s letter distinguishes itself not because of the church’s actions, but because of the Lord’s exhortation and blessing to a rather small and unknown …show more content…
who is holy 2. who is true and 3. who has the key of David. By diagramming the description in such a way, the triune nature of God is highlighted. As translated, the word “true” is defined as “real or genuine”. Barclay argue this is to mean that in Christ alone is true and genuine joy is found, all others being false (72). According to Strong’s Concordance the word “holy” is hagios, meaning to set apart or that which is different from the world. Furthermore, it is the word often used in the title “Holy Spirit”. The third part of the description does not regard a characteristic but a possession: “who has the key”, not who is the key like one might expect. This is a reference to Isaiah 22:22 in that that one who holds the key to David opens the door to the Messianic kingdom (Resseguie, 97). In so much as to say, Christ is the one who serves as the steward of God, introducing humanity to him (Barclay 72). While one could argue that having the key is a fundamental part of Christ’s essence, there is a distinct reason John uses “has” rather than “is”; God gave Christ the role of steward. Continuing, the structure of the v. 7 serves to emphasize the authority of Christ as indicated by the