Today is Sunday, 2023.02.12 -- Assessment of the Church in Philadelphia
Question: What rewards do you hope will be awarded to your church and the church in America?
In my post on Sunday, 2023.01.01, I discussed a pattern I discovered in Jesus' assessment of the seven churches in Revelation 2-3.
Links to the previous posts are included at the bottom of this post.
In this post I will identify what I saw for each of the six elements of Jesus assessment letter to the Church in Philadelphia.
All of this comes directly from the Berean Study Bible (BSB), Revelation 3.7-13
Authority Of The Assessor
These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens, no one will shut; and what He shuts, no one will open. {3.7}
Acknowledgment of some good things
I know your deeds. {3.8}
For you have only a little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name. {3.8}
You have kept My command to endure with patience {3.10}
Condemnation of some negative things
NONE
Plan of action
Hold fast to what you have {3.11}
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches {3.13}
Consequences for failing to complete the plan of action
so that no one will take your crown {3.11}
Promises / rewards
I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut. {3.8}
Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you. {3.9}
I am coming soon. {3.11}
The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. {3.12}
Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name. {3.12}
Other noteworthy observations
No mention of any negative behavior {3.7-13}
Previously posted letters to the churches
Biblical Assessment of the Seven Churches {Revelation 2-3}
Letter to the Church in Ephesus {Revelation 2.1-7}
Letter to the Church in Smyrna {Revelation 2.8-11}
Letter to the Church in Pergamum {Revelation 2.12-17}
Letter to the Church in Thyatira {Revelation 2.18-29}
Letter to the Church in Sardis