Articles, Bible Questions and Discipleship Guides

As we examine the sixth letter written by Jesus to first-century churches, you may be wondering if any of these seven churches were setting a good example. Some of them were a mixture of good and bad, while others seemed to be teetering on the brink of spiritual disaster—prompting Jesus to send a divinely-inspired warning. 

There was at least one church with a consistent track record of biblical faithfulness. While most of the other letters read, “But I have this against you …”, the church in Philadelphia received a very different sort of letter—a letter of commendation and promise. This letter is still an encouragement to every church since. 

Many Christians live in fear of God, worried that He only intervenes when believers need the rod of rebuke. We often assume that “no news from God is good news.” But Revelation 3:7-13 makes clear that Jesus doesn’t just speak to us when we fail, He encourages us when we’re faithful. 

The truth is, our Chief Shepherd of the church is just as interested and involved with us when we succeed as when we fall short. Beloved, be encouraged! Every act of faithfulness to Christ is noticed by Him! 

Not one word of warning appears in the letter to Philadelphia. Instead, the Lord offers promises to encourage their faithful progress. These are promises to every local church today. 

“I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. … You have kept my word and have not denied my name. … 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. … I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown” (Revelation 3:8-11). 

Buried in this letter are at least three encouraging promises. 

First, the Lord promises spiritual reproduction for believers. 

“I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut” (Revelation 3:8). 

Now this doesn’t mean that God allows us to walk through any door we desire. We need to write our plans in pencil and keep erasers close at hand. Our responsibility is to be attentive to which doors He opens, and resist banging on doors He doesn’t. This is what it means to walk where He leads. And most often we don’t know where He’s leading us until we arrive. 

I like to think of the Christian life as a life of corners; we simply can’t see around the corner until we get to it. 

Career counselors will encourage professionals to design a “five-year plan,” describing where they see themselves professionally and personally over the next few years. 

We should plan our steps but acknowledge the Lord’s right to determine our path. Personally speaking, I am walking through ministry doors today that I could not have imagined five years ago. In fact, some of the opportunities didn’t exist five years ago! Opportunities to reproduce spiritually—by means of the gospel—are at every turn of the road. 

The truth is, none of us knows what tomorrow will bring, let alone five years from now. I recommend finding an older believer and asking them to share with you how God directed them, how He interrupted their plans or introduced new opportunities. Ransack the testimony of the apostle Paul and think through all the changes, difficulties, obstacles and delays he experienced. Do you think Paul wrote into his ministry calendar words like “imprisonment” or “shipwreck”? Of course not. But he was willing to follow God’s plan, no matter where it led him, and the spiritual fruit of his productive life continues to this day. 

This promise from Jesus assures us that He is in control of which doors are opened and closed for us, and we can faithfully walk where He leads in full confidence of His sovereign control. 

Secondly, God promises a future rescue for His followers. 

“I will keep you from the hour of trial” (Revelation 3:10). We know this is not a promise of rescue from all earthly suffering. If you’ve walked with God for any amount of time, you know that suffering didn’t end when you became a Christian. In many ways, it intensified. 

This is a specific promise to the global church that we will be rescued before the seven-year tribulation period. Before this time of heightened persecution and judgment against the world, believers will be raptured by God and rescued from this specific trial. The apostle Paul reminded the church of this same promise that the church is “waiting for God’s Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). 

Finally, God promises an eternal reward for a faithful church. 

“Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown” (Revelation 3:11). 

This promise of a future crown is not salvation. We don’t work to be saved, and we are not given it as a reward. Jesus has paid for our redemption, assuring our salvation for us. 

Still, Jesus is very likely referring to literal crowns—diadems— which in Paul’s day were more like head bands with the insignia of accomplishment. Jesus seems to be referring to some kind of special insignia given to Christians who faithfully endured tribulation and persisted in Christian service. Frankly, we don’t know if everyone will receive the same crown, or if only some believers will, but what we do know is that in heaven, every act of faithfulness performed by us on earth will be recognized by God. I visualize a graduation ceremony where everyone is thrilled to be graduating, but some students have special décor on their gowns or caps which signify honors. Other graduates receive rewards for scholastic achievements. We have no reason to doubt that the Lord will acknowledge those who suffered greatly for their faith. We will most certainly rejoice in their special reward. 

Beloved, let’s be just as encouraged by God’s promises as we are challenged by God’s warnings. The church in Philadelphia was not perfect—it was made up of sinful Christians, just like your church and mine—but it shines as an example for us. 

As we strive for a similar legacy of faithfulness, let’s never lose sight of Jesus’ eternal, unwavering promises.