7 These are the words of the one who is holy and true, who has the key of David. Whatever he opens, no one will shut; and whatever he shuts, no one opens. 8 I know your works. Look! I have set in front of you an open door that no one can shut. You have so little power, and yet you have kept my word and haven’t denied my name. 9 Because of this I will make the people from Satan’s synagogue (who say they are Jews and really aren’t, but are lying)—I will make them come and bow down at your feet and realize that I have loved you. 10 Because you kept my command to endure, I will keep you safe through the time of testing that is about to come over the whole world, to test those who live on earth. 11 I’m coming soon. Hold on to what you have so that no one takes your crown. 12 As for those who emerge victorious, I will make them pillars in the temple of my God, and they will never leave it. I will write on them 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. I will also write on them my own new name. 13 If you can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.
Reflection
The church at Philadelphia was a really important place. It was located at an important junction of the Imperial Post Road from Rome through Troas, Pergamum, and Sardis on to Tarsus and the East in what is modern day Türkiye. There is not much left there today.
The church of Brotherly Love was 2 of the 7 churches listed in the book of Revelation that received only praise and encouragement and not a rebuke. We read that they had an “open door” policy – everyone was welcome, and this was important as many travelers passed through Philadelphia. It gave that early church a chance to spread the gospel, but they had some detractors.
Is the “synagogue of Satan” giving us vibes from the current times? I would suggest that the churches who are after power and money and controlling the government, and just allowing those that are like them, are the “synagogues of Satan” of our time. I’m pretty sure they would reference me and my Christianity by saying “back at you.”
I was recently having lunch with a friend who said she is ashamed at times to admit she is a Christian, and I think I can understand why, although it is a sad statement to make. The climate of the day is difficult as many people are leaving churches and seeing Christians in the news stories of being against people’s rights, wanting to dictate how people live, and being very selective about who matters in our country and in churches. My friend does not want to be put into a category that makes people think she is judgmental and hateful.
Jesus didn’t live by those guidelines. He spoke to women, he touched the unclean, he helped those in need, he fed those who were hungry, and he advocated for those who had been hurt by society and the laws of the time. Jesus made people think about the humans around them and continues to remind us that none of us is worthy, but all are loved in the eyes of the Lord.
How are we doing day to day showing others the love of Jesus? Can others see that we are Christians who follow Jesus? Can they see that our church is like the church of Philadelphia – truly welcoming to all who come – whether it be for one visit or for a lifetime?
What is our job as Christians? As Matthew 22:37-40 states we must “love the Lord our God with all our heart and love our neighbor as ourselves.” Seems so simple, but we all know it is not always simple or easy, but that is what we are called to do.
by Janet Waryck
For Pondering and Prayer
What can we do as the Church, and as individuals, to show others we are trying to
follow Jesus? How can we be truly welcoming and help others to find what we have found in
God’s love and Jesus’ saving Grace?
Prayer: Jesus, you set up your Church to be a place of welcome, a place of refuge, but not just a place. Your Church is to be a living thing that brings others to you. Help us and show us how to be that in these difficult times. In your name we pray. Amen.
