The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia - AWESOME!

[Marilyn C]

On 1/20/2023 at 3:05 AM, Vine Abider said:

Marilyn you are spot on!  The key . . . means there is a door.  The key gives authority to unlock a door.  The ones in Philly had an open door placed before them.  What door?  Later in the letter it talks about God's house.  This letter is chocked full of things related to God's building/temple, like none of the other letters! An open door to all the treasures - the inheritance of God in His household!

To me this is showing that God flings the door wide open to the church with a little strength that is focusing on love.  Love is the fulfillment of the commandment and the evidence of God working through them, and is the bottom line of what God is telling us in the New Testament (and whole bible).  This church gets it!  The Lord is putting His seal of approval on Philadelphia saying, "There it is!  You focused on those few things that matter most - well done! Because of this I will keep you from the hour of trail about to come on the whole earth!" 

Hi VA,

There is certainly much in this letter and good that the Lord is leading us together to see clearer His truth. We see the Lord has opened the door to His treasures of wisdom and knowledge of His truth. So, let`s look a bit closer at these wonderful truths, His promises to the overcomers.

`He that overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God. And I will write on him mt new name.` (Rev. 3: 12)

As you said VA, it relates to `God`s building/temple` and we know that the Lord is the `temple.`  We are part of that for we are in Christ. We are the royal priesthood that speaks forth the wisdom, knowledge and counsel of Christ.

`you are....a royal priesthood....that you may proclaim the praise, (virtues, excellencies) of Him who called you...` (1 Peter 2: 9)

Then we see that the Lord has given us `names.` The Greek word is `onoma,` fig. meaning authority. Thus, we are to be given authority in certain areas.

1. The Name/authority of God over all His vast kingdom - third heaven, universal heavens & the earth and atmospheric heavens. 

2. The name/authority of the city of God, the New Jerusalem which comes down out of heaven to the Universal area over the earth. This is specific authority of the Lord to the rulers in the New Jerusalem.

3. The name/authority of Christ. This is His seat of authority as Kingpriest in the third heaven. Here His order of kingpriests are given responsibilities of service and of worship. 

These are the overcomers whom Christ has matured and brought to the third heaven where they will rule and reign with Him as Kingpriests on His throne. To `sit on the throne,` doesn`t mean inactivity in one place, but rather refers to having authority and responsibility from the third heaven. This is the `high calling,` in which paul encourages us to aim for.

`I press toward the goal of the upward, (on top/high) call of God in Christ Jesus.` (Phil. 3: 14)

`To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne...` (Rev. 3: 21)

 

[Vine Abider]

15 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

These are the overcomers whom Christ has matured and brought to the third heaven where they will rule and reign with Him as Kingpriests on His throne. To `sit on the throne,` doesn`t mean inactivity in one place, but rather refers to having authority and responsibility from the third heaven. This is the `high calling,` in which paul encourages us to aim for.

`I press toward the goal of the upward, (on top/high) call of God in Christ Jesus.` (Phil. 3: 14)

`To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me in My throne...` (Rev. 3: 21)

 

Liked what you said and just one minor point. You've mentioned this before, about ruling from the 3rd heavens. If I'm reading you correctly, it seems you are conveying ruling/reigning with Him from the heavens, not on the earth.  I'm I getting that right?

My thinking is He placed Adam and Eve in the garden on the earth, to rule over it from terra-firma, and that is His intention for us.

[Vine Abider]

Something else amazing about this letter to Philly is that the lord says this to them, "Because you have kept the word of My patient endurance, I also will keep you out of the hour of the trial being about to come upon the whole inhabited world, to try those dwelling upon the earth."

This is a conditional promise.  So what does this mean and who does it apply to?

[Marilyn C]

4 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Something else amazing about this letter to Philly is that the lord says this to them, "Because you have kept the word of My patient endurance, I also will keep you out of the hour of the trial being about to come upon the whole inhabited world, to try those dwelling upon the earth."

This is a conditional promise.  So what does this mean and who does it apply to?

I would say that the Lord`s `WORD of His patient endurance,` has been over the centuries till the Body is mature of the full truth of Himself, His character and His purposes.. 

`...till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the statue of the fullness of Christ.` (Eph. 4: 13)

And those truths, for which so many believers were and are martyred for, we have today. Thus, it is so important to know the truths of Christ, His character and His purposes so that -

`we are should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive.` (Eph. 4: 14)

It is by knowing the `whole counsel of God` (His word) the full truths of Christ that the Body of Christ grows up into Him who is the Head. (Eph. 4: 15) 

So, what is the `whole Counsel` of God given to the Ephesians? (Acts 20: 27) 

[Selah7]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

Something else amazing about this letter to Philly is that the lord says this to them, "Because you have kept the word of My patient endurance, I also will keep you out of the hour of the trial being about to come upon the whole inhabited world, to try those dwelling upon the earth."

This is a conditional promise.  So what does this mean and who does it apply to?

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. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. 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.

- Revelation 3:10-12 (KJV)

This promise applies to those steadfast Christians who will never be deceived by the Antichrist.  They have strapped on that Gospel Armor and are holding on till the very end.

Notice God says “My” patience.  So we need to pause and remember just how patient our Father is and has been throughout all time.  Revelation 3:10 is talking about the end times, specifically when the Antichrist is here.  We know that the Antichrist (Satan) comes first, before Christ’s Second Coming.  We can even see God’s patience in allowing it to happen this way.  After all, God is always in control and His plan is set.  Now, many will be deceived during this time, the hour of temptation, believing that the Antichrist is Jesus.  Why? because the Antichrist will be saying that he is Jesus and performing astounding miracles.  But those Christians who remain steadfast, patiently and faithfully enduring (with God) till the end will be protected by Him.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls.

- Luke 21:17-19 (KJV)

[Marilyn C]

10 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

Liked what you said and just one minor point. You've mentioned this before, about ruling from the 3rd heavens. If I'm reading you correctly, it seems you are conveying ruling/reigning with Him from the heavens, not on the earth.  I'm I getting that right?

My thinking is He placed Adam and Eve in the garden on the earth, to rule over it from terra-firma, and that is His intention for us.

Yes, that is correct - ruling from the third heaven. Glad you brought that up as it is the final truth to be clarified that the early believers were taught. It is only this generation that is being fed the false teaching of us being on the New Earth. Now I`ll just do a section at a time to give you opportunity to respond. 

The New Earth.

I agree that God gave Adam and Eve dominion over the earth. That was & is God`s plan still. Then we see that there are nations on the New Earth. (Rev. 21: 24)

`And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light.` (Rev. 21: 24)

Note they are called `nations.` We, are the Body of Christ, the ekklesia, called OUT of the nations. We are a holy nation, (singular) a royal priesthood,

`But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people...` (1 Peter 2: 9)

Also see that the nations on the New Earth walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. Thus, as the earth turns each part receives the light of the NJ which is situated in the lower heavens, (the universal heavens).  

 

[Marilyn C]

The New Jerusalem.

We are told that the Old Testament saints looked for that city as promised from God.

`But now they (OT saints) desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.` (Heb. 11: 16)

Note that they are looking for a heavenly country. And we see what part of the heavens that is.

`Then I,  John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God,...` (Rev. 21: 2)

And the city comes down out of God`s area of heaven to the lower heavens. The writer to the Hebrews tells us where the city, (NJ) is kept till it `comes down.`

`you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God....to God the judge of all...` (Heb. 12: 22 & 23)

 

 

 

[Vine Abider]

@Marilyn C That's interesting . . .  It's not specifically on topic, but let's see where it goes.

So where does scripture indicated the NJ is not actually on the earth?

[Dennis1209]

On 1/16/2023 at 3:32 PM, AdHoc said:

In a sense I mourn the fading of the thread on the Primitive Church. But its natural death is proof that the Church and its practices are not top of the list for many Christians. But not our Lord Jesus; "the ZEAL of thy House has EATEN thee ..." (Ps.69:9, Jn.2:17). He was fully for God's House on earth.

Turning now to Philadelphia my ambition is to divide the meat into small portions and so facilitate eating of this wonderful letter. One of the lessons - bitter lessons - that the zealous Christian will learn, and which will bother him/her in their old age, is that we just don't love the Lord as we should, and we don't love the saints as we should. It's not that we don't want to. It is that we are so damaged by Adam's nature that we just cannot muster the correct virile love for one another and for our Darling Lord. And the name of the city, and the type of love that no doubt helped Philadelphia to be the only Church to be applauded by our Lord, is noteworthy.

In the rich language of the New Testament - Greek, we have THREE words for LOVE.

1. "Eros" the erotic love that first attracts you to a member of the opposite gender. Just because men let it dominate them does not mean that this love is not necessary. God made it, and we all remember that leap in the whole system as we first saw our future wives.
2. "Philadelphia" that almost forgotten but vital love we develop for our wives over the years and the same emotion that causes us to plunder our savings account to help a widow in the Church
3. "Agape" very close in meaning to Philadelphia and hard to separate in our emotions. But it is usually associated with God's love for us. That indestructible virile love that cannot be overturned no matter what the object of your love does

Now, why all this? For this reason. If God wanted the saints to produce the best love, the city should have been "Agape" - not Philadelphia. But God knows what a battering the zealous Christian is going to take in life and requires "a little strength". When Peter so self-preservingly denied the Lord, and the Lord accosted him at the end of the gospel of John (21:15-17), our Lord asks Peter;

"DO YOU "AGAPE" ME?"

But Peter now knows the facts of life. His ego-bruising and heart-breaking failure - and his subsequent restoration - have shown him that his LOVE is inadequate. He naswers

LORD - I "PHILADELPHIA" (phileo) YOU"

Again the Lord asks him "Simon, do you 'AGAPE' me". And again the modest answer is, "LORD I 'Philadelphia' you". The lesso is fully learned. We are of LITTLE strength! And in this lies our salvation. We must cast ourselves upon Him. He MUST become our strength. Woe to the self-confident! He is ready to hear the cock-crow.

And then our gracious Lord descends to Peter's level and says; "Simon, do you "PHILEO" me"? The secret of the success of Philadelphia is that they recognized their LITTLE strength. Many important attributes are connected to Philadelphia and the root is DON'T DEPEND ON YOUR STRENGTH!

Many are unaware of the Greek wording for love, and meanings in this conversation between Jesus and Peter. I am not going to derail the thread, but there is a lot going on with this conversation also as you mention.

There are many other interesting points pertaining to the letters to the seven churches, and Philadelphia in particular. Church history records the apostle John as being Bishop over the church at Ephesus after his exile. Some say John was Bishop (Pastor) over all seven before his exile to Patmos. That John appointed the first Bishops to these seven churches.

It is also noteworthy, all seven churches are addressed, “And unto the angel (angelos-messenger) of the church in… It is debatable if the “messenger” is a Bishop, Deacon, or spiritual angel, but nonetheless, it seems addressed to the leaders of those individual churches.

As I have mentioned several times before, all seven physical churches did not survive. I had inquired why the Lord personally wrote to those particular seven churches, clustered close together, now in Muslim modern-day Turkey.

I surmised all seven of those churches continued on, and passed down in history, and are with us today. These letters have so much to glean from and discuss.

[Marilyn C]

7 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

@Marilyn C That's interesting . . .  It's not specifically on topic, but let's see where it goes.

So where does scripture indicated the NJ is not actually on the earth?

`And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light,.....` (Rev. 21: 24)

As the earth revolves every part would come into the New Jerusalem`s light.

Also, it says - `Then I, John saw the holy city coming down out of heaven from God...` (Rev. 21: 2)

We know from God`s word that there are three areas of the `heavens ` - the angelic realm with God`s throne, (third heaven) the Univeral realm, and the atmospheric area above the earth.

We also know that the NJ was in the third heaven waiting for the NHNE time. 

`you have come to Mount Zion, (heavenly) and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.....to ...angels....to God...`(Heb. 12: 22 & 23)

Then we are told that the NJ comes down, but it doesn`t say to the earth. It comes to the lower heavens, the universal area.

Then I, John saw the holy city coming down out of heaven from God...` (Rev. 21: 2)

This area is called the Principalities and Powers area which God made. (Col. 1: 16) It was here that Lucifer usurped control. (Eph. 6: 12)

Remember also that the Old Testament saints looked for the New Jerusalem, (Heb. 11: 16) and God`s word tells us that city is in the heavens.

`These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth, For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.

But now they desire a better, that is, a HEAVENLY country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a CITY for them. ` (Heb. 11: 13 - 16)

Every area of God`s great kingdom will have designated rulership under the Lord Jesus Christ.