Revelation 2 And 3 … Seven Letters To Seven Churches, Part 3, conclusion~~A Bible Study by Jack Kelley

The letters to the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea will bring our study on the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches of Revelation 2 and 3 to a conclusion.

To the Church in Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: Philadelphia means brotherly love.
In the chronicle of church history, Philadelphia represents the evangelical church born in the 1800′s during the 2nd Great Awakening. (The first took place about 100 years earlier primarily in the Northern colonies.)
For centuries scholars had taught an allegorical interpretation of scripture, especially prophecy, but in the mid 1800’s the rank and file was energized by a return to the literal interpretation. The pre-tribulation rapture and 1000 year reign of the Lord on Earth, views that were prevalent during the 1st century but abandoned with the allegorical interpretation were once again popular. The church was born again.
(Title) These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
Jesus is the Messiah who holds the keys to the Davidic Kingdom. He alone has the authority to grant and refuse entry.
(Commendation) I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.
The open door is the one through which John will enter heaven in chapter 4 to stand before the Throne of God, a type of the Rapture. The Church in Philadelphia, receiving no criticism, is also granted admission. This is symbolic of the fact that for those saved by grace through faith, it’s as if they’ve never committed a single sin.  God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21)
In the 1st Century Philadelphia, like other gentile churches of the day, was beset by “Judiazers.” They insisted that before a Gentile could become a Christian, he had to become a Jew and keep the law. They’ll be forced to admit that the path to Christianity did not lie through Judaism, but went straight to the foot of the cross.
In the latter days, the advocates of Replacement Theology (those believing the church has replaced Israel) and other groups claiming Israel’s inheritance as the favored children of God, will also be required to bow down before the true church and admit the error of their ways.
Read the Article Here
Blessings,