Part I
“Comparisons of the Seven Churches and the Church in Philadelphia”
Jesus Shown in Revelation chapter 2-3(Seven Churches)
| 1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; | Rev 2:1 |
| 8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; | Rev 2:8 |
| 12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; | Rev 2:12 |
| 18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; | Rev 2:18 |
| 1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. | Rev 3:1 |
| 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; | Rev 3:7 |
| 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; | Rev 3:14 |
Summary of Comparisons of the Seven Churches
| Order | Church | Description | Current Status |
| 1 | The Church in Ephesus (Rev 2:1-7) | The members of the Church in Ephesus not only revealed the deceivers who belong to Satan but also worked hard and patiently to shine the name of Jesus. Most importantly, however, they lost the first love and the things they did at first, showing a situation of imminent danger in which, without repenting, the lampstand of God would be removed from its place. | The church that lost the first love and the things they did at first |
| 2 | The Church in Smyrna (Rev 2:8-11) |
The Church in Smyrna is a church that has been put to the trial by Satan by the interference of the Jews, the synagogue of Satan, who called themselves the chosen ones. The believers, however, showed a strong desire about the word of eternal life even during the times of poverty and depletion of the spiritual word. Also, it foretells that when some of those who merely repeat the elementary teachings of God and fail to reach the whole measure and fullness of Christ, recognize the afflictions of the reality of the spiritual prison, they can join in the symbiotic community of those who overcome. And they will become rich with truth and receive the crown of life. |
They have fallen into trial by Satan but have spiritual thirst. |
| 3 | The Church in Pergamum (Rev 2:12-17) |
The Church in Pergamum is where the throne of Satan was. As Jesus revealed the signs of the end of the world, he told the readers to understand when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ (Mt 24:15). Pergamum is a place in which Satan who leads the whole world astray (Rev 12:9) deceives in the name of God and take control of the people of God with clever pretense of spreading God’s words like Balaam. Though they definitely refer to the Bible even today and fluently preach God’s words to show that they follow them wholeheartedly, the secularized church leaders (Mt 23:16-18) whose actions are directed by a desire for materials and authority are said to the Nicolaitans following the teachings of Balaam(Jude 1:11-13). |
They call themselves arbitrators between God and his people but allow the Nicolaitans who are following the teachings of Balaam who turn believers into blinded followers with a strong desire for materials and authority. |
| 4 |
The Church in Thyatira (Rev 2:18-29) |
The Church in Thyatira is overflown with things of deeds, love, faith, service and perseverance. However, as it allowed the deceipt of a self-proclaimed prophet (Eze 13:17-23) symbolized by Jezebel, a woman who was not to be tolerated (1Ki 16:29-33/1Ki 21:1-16) because she deceived and committed sexual immorality, the Church befriended the spirit of deceipt and ultimately left God as it embraced the mammonism of the world and corrupt authority and escaped from the essence of faith (Jas 4:4) Also, the servants of God did not repent their routine immoral acts and ate together the sacrifices for the idol due to greed, one of the worst kinds of idolatry in the revelation times (Col 3:5). Therefore, it predicts that, in the end, they will be thrown into great afflictions. |
By tolerating a self-proclaimed prophet, Ethbaal, they pursued the secularization with aims for authority, superstitious elements and the privatization of the church. |
| 5 | The Church in Sardis (Rev 3:1-6) |
The Church in Sardis looked fine on the outside but, inside, was filled with those who have gone away from the truth due to their unwholesome acts, those who live with decent positions and names but are spiritually dead; the spirits of its members became dark as well. Here, the people who have living names but are dead are those who pursue uncharacteristically overflowing respect, complacency and vanity (1Ti 5:6), who spread them to other believers who must reach the whole measure of the fullness of Christ, (Eph 4:13-16) and who prevent them from bearing any fruit being choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures and from becoming mature (Lk 8:14). Though the Church in Sardis was a weak church whose deeds were not sound, a few who washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev 7:14) were together with Jesus in righteousness, which did not dirty the robes. |
The church was full of those with living names but who are dead spiritually but also had a small group of believers in white robes who walked with Jesus. |
| 6 | The Church in Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13) |
The Church in Philadelphia is the only church out of the seven churches that completely suppressed the synagogue of Satan with brotherly love. The synagogue of Satan is a group of those who call themselves Jews who look like chosen people and legitimate people but are not truly chosen people and only liars. The church is consisted of believers who made the synagogue of Satan submit and received an abundance of Jesus’ grace. It is a non-denominational symbiotic community of the brothers who overcame the synagogue of Satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and who did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death (Rev 12:11), and also of the saints who overcome with patient endurance and obey the revealed faith to the end (Rev 14:12). Also, it is a holy place of God, Jesus and the name of the new Jerusalem in the revelation times (Rev 3:12/Isa 18:7). |
Even with little strength, the complete church that did not betray the name of Jesus, overcame the synagogue of Satan and avoid the temptation in the end time. |
| 7 | The Church in Laodicea (Rev 3:14-22) |
The Church in Laodicea is the church rebuked because its members are neither cold nor hot. It is faced with a situation in which they are hearing the word of a powerful warning that God will cast away from salvation those who are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold if they do not break peace with Satan (Rev 6:4), repent and obey God with earnestness. God points out that, even if those deceived by Satan call themselves rich and say that they have acquired wealth and do not need a thing, they are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked, looking from the spiritual perspective. And they must repent, open the door of their hearts, wear the white robe of salvation through refinement removing impurities and dross like pure gold refined in fire (Job 23:10/Isa 1:22-27/Eze 22:17-22), pursue the spiritual wealth following the word of Jesus’ prophecy and not show the shameful nakedness (Rev 19:8). Also, he warns them, by buying and putting salve on their eyes, they must open up their spiritual vision and see clearly those who are deceived by Satan who invaded the church. |
The rebuked church that is arrogant in its wealth and lukewarm in its attitude of faith, and whose spiritual vision is closed and that only puts Christ outside the door. |
For the seven churches described in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 excluding the church in Philadelphia, Jesus rebukes that they,
First, have lost the first love and the first deed (the church in Ephesus)
Second, merely repeat the initial stage of faith even in such a spiritual thirst (the church in Smyrna),
Third, have fallen into idolatry and authoritarianism based on covetousness (the churhc in Pergamum),
Fourth, pursue secular powers and superstitious elements together (the church in Thyatira),
Fifth, are soaked with empty formalities and vanity and pleasure of the world (the church in Sardis),
Sixth, lack repentance and diligence due to spiritual arrogance (the church in Laodicea).
On the other hand, by saying that “I know thy works: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Rev 3:8) and “because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth” (Rev 3:10), Jesus praises and chooses the church in Philadelphia as the righteous church in the end times.
The believers of the church in Philadelphia whom Jesus personally protects can conquer all temptation from Satan with the power of the Holy Spirit, and even if they are in the process of overcoming a trial, they can still avoid the times of trial once they go back to the right way through genuine repentance (Mt 18:21-22/Lk 15:11/Lk 17:4).
Thus, the kingdom and the priests of God, those who are united only in love with the power of the Holy Spirit, are the believers forming the true disciple network of Jesus Christ, which is the body of the church. Christ is at its head and the entire body is constituted by the believers who help, communicate with and be in harmony with one another and form a whole church. We become the soldiers of the living God according to our roles and perform the work in the end times.
(Ps 107:2-9) 2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; 3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south. 4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in. 5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. 6 Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. 7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation. 8 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! 9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.
(Heb 11:13-16) 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
((Ps 132:13-18) 13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
(Mt 25:1-10) 1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut
Part II
“The Church in Philadelphia”
Among the seven types of churches depicted in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, the church in Philadelphia is the only one that conquers the synagogue of Satan. Jesus protects its believers and keeps them away from the times of temptation that would come to the whole earth. They form a symbiotic community of those who overcome as the brides of Jesus in the end times, and the church, which has received all the nations (all peoples who have the religious faith with the kingdom of our Lord and Christ), is especially blessed with believers who participate in the kingdom of our Lord and Christ.
(Rev 19:7-8) 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Since this is a very essential notion, the twelve blessings prophesied to the church in Philadelphia will be examined more in-depth in twelve paragraphs.
The prophecies of Jesus and the twelve blessings for the church in Philadelphia are summarized and explained in the table as follows.
(Rev 3:7-13) 7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
| To the Church in Philadelphia | The 12 Blessings to the Church in Philadelphia Believer | ||
① These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: ② for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, ③ and hast not denied my name. ④ Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, ⑤ and to know that I have loved thee. ⑥ Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, ⑦ I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. ⑧ Behold, I come quickly ⑨ hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. ⑩ Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, ⑪ and he shall go no more out: ⑫ and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. |
① Blessed is the one who enters into the gate of heaven with the key of David ② Blessed is the one who has kept the words in his heart of the prophecy in the revelation ③ Blessed is the one who is faithful to the end in the name of Jesus. ④ To him who overcomes the synagogue of Satan which says they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; Jesus will make them come and fall down at his feet. ⑤ Blessed is the one who acknowledges that Jesus has loved him ⑥ Blessed is the one who overcomes since he has kept the word of Jesus with patience. ⑦ Jesus will also keep you from the hour of temptation that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. ⑧ Blessed is the one who meets Jesus who is coming soon. ⑨ Blessed is the one who holds onto what he has, so that no one will take your crown ⑩ Blessed is the one who overcomes, Jesus will make a pillar in the temple of God ⑪ Blessed is the one who shall go no more out in the temple of God ⑫ Blessed is the one who writes upon him the name of God and the name of the city of God, the new Jerusalem and write upon him of new name of Jesus. |
Through No.1(Rev 3:7-8) that says, “these things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it”, the holy and true Jesus personally testifies and lets us all know that the church in Philadelphia is a place in which he has opened widely the gates of heaven that cannot be closed by anyone with the key of David (Rev 4:1/Mal 3:10/Mk 2:3-5/2 Sa 7:10-17/Isa 22:22).
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.” (Isa 22:20-22)
Here, the open door is the one that has been opened by Jesus himself, the path with which we communicate directly with Jesus and access the spiritual world of heaven, and symbolizes the beginning of the new religious realm when the gates of heaven open because of the appearance of the kingdom of our Lord and Christ (Eze 1:1/Rev 4:1/Rev 11:6/Rev 11:15).
Going into the kingdom of righteousness through the door that Jesus personally opened with the key of David is the new things accomplished by the appearance of the new kingdom that has not been known until now. It means the new start of the inhabitants of New Jerusalem.
(Isa 55:1-6) 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people. 5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee. 6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
(Isa 26:1-2) 1 In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. 2 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.
(Ps 118:19-26) 19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: 20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. 21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 25 Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. 26 Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
(Isa 22:15-25) 15 Thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, Go, get thee unto this treasurer, even unto Shebna, which is over the house, and say, 16 What hast thou here? and whom hast thou here, that thou hast hewed thee out a sepulchre here, as he that heweth him out a sepulchre on high, and that graveth an habitation for himself in a rock? 17 Behold, the LORD will carry thee away with a mighty captivity, and will surely cover thee. 18 He will surely violently turn and toss thee like a ball into a large country: there shalt thou die, and there the chariots of thy glory shall be the shame of thy lord’s house. 19 And I will drive thee from thy station, and from thy state shall he pull thee down. 20 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah: 21 And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. 22 And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. 23 And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house. 24 And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house, the offspring and the issue, all vessels of small quantity, from the vessels of cups, even to all the vessels of flagons. 25 In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall the nail that is fastened in the sure place be removed, and be cut down, and fall; and the burden that was upon it shall be cut off: for the LORD hath spoken it.
Upon making a decision on our own to be a true disciple of Jesus as we realize His word, we escape from the prevalent mammonism and spiritual dependence and, with the Holy Spirit, stand on our own at the center of the new religious world as the kingdom and priests of God in the end time, emanating the scent and light of Christ.
Also, in No. 2(Rev 3:8) which says, “I know thy works: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name”, it tells us that Jesus knows our minds, thoughts, will and deeds inside out (Mt 10:26/Ps 138:6) and praises how the righteous believers of the church in Philadelphia, even with little strength, have kept the words of the prophecy of Jesus in their hearts and obeyed them as best as they could (Rev 1:3/Zec 13:7/1 Ki 18:44).
(Heb 4:12-13) 12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
(Jer 16:16-1) 16 Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks. 17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
(1 Co 1:26-31) 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
(Jer 16:16-17) 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yokes of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.
(Mic 4:6-7) 6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; 7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.
Even with little strengths, those who do not ever deny the name of the Lord are the true children of God who can call the Lord their father, the people who keep the mysteries of God, the faithful soldiers and the true disciples of Jesus Christ.
And furthermore, it’s really important for the believers to do their best to increase the number of righteous brothers who engrave in their hearts the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ, and form a spiritual family united in love and faith and hope.
Also, in No.4(Rev 3:9), the brothers and sisters of the church in Philadelphia are the believers who overcome evil with good by completely conquering the self-proclaimed Jews, chosen, right people, who have left the right path and give false testimonies using sophistry and thus no longer are truly chosen people. The believers of the church in Philadelphia make these people leave the synagogue of Satan and pursue the heart of Jesus.
Since many brothers and sisters of the church in Philadelphia who obey the word of prophecy till the end overcame the synagogue of Satan by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Rev 12:11), this shows that the church is a symbiotic community of those who conquer and overcome the synagogue of Satan by the word of God and the testimony of Jesus in the end times (Zec 10:1-5).
Here, “those who overcome” represents the believers who are prepared in the Lord to conquer the forces of Satan, and are with Jesus, instead of signs of 666, in the Revelation times during which the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of the Lord and Christ (Rev 10:7/Rev 11:15). That is, they are the spiritually genuine ones who answer the calling as the kingdom and the priests of the Lord and Christ with the grace of Jesus, are rescued from the deceivers of Satan, overcome the authority of Satan (Isa 44:5), work together to achieve goodness with the spiritual vision opened by the work of the seven spirits (Ro 8:28-29), and participate in the first resurrection (Rev 17:14) as the son of God.
(Rev 17:14) 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
(2 Pe 1:10) 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.
(Jn 16:33) 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Especially in No. 7(Rev 3:10), by Jesus’ saying to the righteous believers of the church in Philadelphia who obeyed the word of prophecy as shown in Verse 10, “because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth”, he tells us that the church in Philadelphia is the place that avoids the hardships of temptation that come upon the entire world in the Revelation times as well as the place of “Passover” for the kingdom and the priests of God who possess olive oil and wine, which symbolize the word of life. Like this, the church is the castle of truth that moves forward with Jesus while accurately aiming at following the prophecy of Jesus and also the place where the word of the way to righteous salvation exists and, thus, Jesus personally protects the hearts and thoughts of his believers. (Isa 65:16-17/Jer 31:31-34/Eph 1:7-19/Ps 15:1-5)
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Rev 3:10)
(Ex 12:22-27) 22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssops, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. 23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. 24 And ye shall observe this thing for an ordinance to thee and to thy sons for ever. 25 And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as he hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. 26 And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, what mean ye by this service? 27 That ye shall say, it is the sacrifice of the LORD’S Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.
(Isa 30:20) 20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy 21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. 22 Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver, and the ornament of thy molten images of gold: thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say unto it, Get thee hence.
(Isa 1:25-28) 25 I will turn my hand against you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities. 26 I will restore your leaders as in days of old, your rulers as at the beginning. Afterward you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.” 27 Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness. 28 But rebels and sinners will both be broken, and those who forsake the Lord will perish.
(Isa 37:32) 32 For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this.
In other words, Revelation 3:10 represents that the church in Philadelphia is the spiritual Noah’s Ark as the place of “Passover” for the kingdom and the priests of God in the end times
But the numbers for the kingdom and the priests who can participate in the whole world are limited.
“For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,” (Mt 24:38)
(Mt 6:13) 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
(2 Th 2:9-15) 9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie. 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
(Ex 10:21-23) 21 And the LORD said unto Moses, stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. 22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.
Through No.8 (Rev 3:11), the word of promise in Verse 11 that reads “I come quickly” tells us that the church in Philadelphia, which is called the first heaven on earth because there is a gate to heaven opened by the key of David (Ge 28:12-14), is a place where people can tithe with thanksgiving and give the glory to God and also where the presence and the second coming of Jesus has been promised, just as the gates of heaven were shown to Jacob, symbolizing Israel, the one who overcomes, in Bethel.
Also, through No.9 (Rev 3:11), the part that says, “hold that fast which thou hast, that no man takes thy crown” is a very important point.
Here, the crown has three crucial meanings, the first of which is the glory of Jesus. The second meaning is the crown that a believer receives as the bride of Jesus, and the last one is the partnering disciples of Jesus becoming the crown with his glory before him. Moreover, it is more important to keep the crown than to receive it.
“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” (Php 4:1)
As shown in Revelation 3:12 through No.12 (Rev 3:12), the believers gathered in the church in Philadelphia in the end times are those who have been already promised in the name of the Holy City “Beulah”, the messengers of Jesus with guardian angels shown in Revelation 22:16, and those who have been sealed in the name of the Lord (Rev 3:12/Mt 23:1-39/Isa 43:7/Ps 118:14-26).
They are the sons of God who put a diligent effort into the Lord’s work while steadfastly holding onto the initial, pure heart without being deceived or swayed by Satan, and the believers who have been called to declare the everlasting gospel with their lips (Rev 14:6) and bring about a countless number of victories by cooperating with one another (Mk 16:17-18/Ro 8:28/Rev 17:14).
Also, the church in Philadelphia is declared already through Revelation 3:12 to be Mount Zion in end times, where the name of God has been placed as follows (Isa 18:7/Rev3:12/Isa 46:10-13),
“Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (Rev 3:12)
(Isa 18:7) 7 In that time shall the present be brought unto the LORD of hosts of a people scattered and peeled, and from a people terrible from their beginning hitherto; a nation meted out and trodden under foot, whose land the rivers have spoiled, to the place of the name of the LORD of hosts, the mount Zion.
(Isa 46:10-13) 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executed my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. 12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory.
(Joe 2:32) 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
(Ps 87:1-7) 1 Headquarters the sons of Korah. His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The LORD loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. 4 I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. 5 And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. 6 The LORD shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. 7 As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
The Church in Philadelphia is the place to register as the numbered member who is the bride of Jesus in the end times. If you want to apply for Member, Member Church or Mentor of the Church in Philadelphia, please refer to Q. & A.: Question and Answer.
(Jer 3:14-15) 14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: 15 And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
( Ps 132:13-18) 13 For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. 14 This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. 15 I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. 16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. 17 There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. 18 His enemies will I clothe with shame: but upon himself shall his crown flourish.
(Mic 4:1-4) 1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. 4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
It is now time for the believers of the church in Philadelphia, who have been sealed by the Trinity God with the same words worked by seven Spirits, to follow only Jesus and fulfill the calling of making God joyful, as members of God’s network that transcends denominations, in the name of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit and the new Jerusalem.
(Jer 32:38-41) 38 They will be my people, and I will be their God. 39 I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me and that all will then go well for them and for their children after them. 40 I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me. 41 I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.
Here, being sealed by the Trinity God here means to fully digest the word of Jesus’ prophecy, take it to heart, become a person who overcomes the synagogue of Satan and a believer who is with the Father, the Son, and the Spirit and has been chosen to change into a temple of God, and face the beginning of a new life of gospel evangelism (Rev 3:12/Rev 10:9-11).
(Hab 2:2-3) 2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
(1 Co 4:1-2) 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
(Eze 37: 1-10) 1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. 3 And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. 4 Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone. 8 And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them. 9 Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
(1 Pe 4:11) 11 If any man speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(1 Ti 4:11-13) 11 These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but he thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Now, if you feel that the one who has been called, who is the one who must listen to and take to heart the words of prophesy written in Revelation through the inspiration of God, is you, the time has come to open the door of mystery, realize the purpose of the calling from Jesus who brightens the eyes of our hearts (Rev 5:6), and transform this into the calling in the end times towards the future of eternal life filled with hope.
And please don’t forget to remember that you are the one of “the servants” of God
(Rev 1:1) who are the brides of Jesus and the recipients of Revelation, have appeared according to the prophecy of Revelation in the end times to deliver the earnest words of the Holy Spirit.
(Eph 1:17-19) 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:1 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
People who know and take into heart the open Revelation are those that have received the revelation about the end time and also those who know the plan of God. (Mt 11:27)
Therefore, those who hear this important matter must not ignore or distort the real meaning of the identical revelation of Jesus.
Also, as Matthew 22:14 states, the theory of singular subject (the one who reads) → plural subjects (those who hear) → select few (those who take into heart) is the basic concept of the repeated revelation evangelism in which “the servants” of God who grow through active evangelism of the Gospel continue to be born.
(Mt 11:27) 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him
(Jn 6:38-40) 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
(Tit1:1-3) 1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
(1Co 1:21) 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
(1Co 1:21) 1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
This book contains important matters that are repeatedly emphasized. Repetition is commonly used to emphasize the importance of contents.
Therefore, the repeated contents in this book are really important parts, which you should memorize.
Therefore, the part that says “he that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”, which has been repeated 7 times in Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, emphasizes the importance of hearing 7 times. Jesus reminds us that the Spirit’s command to the churches is the work of salvation that must truly be heard during the “hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world” (Rev 3:10), which is filled with people who do not hear the word of God (Isa 42:23/Ro 10:13-17).
It’s time all the church leaders or shepherds, if they received God’s authority, must give up all worldly privileges and become like a righteous sun (Mal 4:2), spreading to people the identical words of prophecy as the messengers of Jesus who deliver the earnest words of the Holy Spirit as follows.
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Rev 2:7) (Rev 2:11) (Rev 2:17) (Rev 2:29) (Rev 3:6) (Rev 3:13) (Rev 3:22)
(Mal 4:2-3) 2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. 3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
(Ps 107:20) 20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.
(1 Co 2:4-5) 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
(1 Co 2:9-1) 9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all thigns, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, becuase they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
Copyright © 2021- 2023 The Beulah Mission of Phila Church All Rights Reserved