Revelation Chapter Three, The Hour Of Trial

Revelation 3:10b I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

The Lord commends Philadelphia for keeping His command to persevere, and tells them that in doing so, He will in turn keep them from the hour of trial that will come upon the whole earth. Now this sounds initially like a promise to only certain Christians. “If you do as I command, I will preserve you and not others.” But, as we will see, this promise is for all genuine believers which the church of Philadelphia is.

Revelation Chapter Three, Keeping His Command

Revelation 3:10a “Because you have kept My command to persevere,

What does the Lord mean that Philadelphia kept His command to persevere? Did Jesus ever give a command for this church to persevere? If the Lord says so, the answer is yes. The question arises then, when did this command get issued?

Revelation Chapter Three, Satan's Synagogue In Philadelphia

Revelation 3:9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie–indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.

It would seem that the Philadelphian church was contending with the same synagogue that persecuted Smyrna. The pair of churches have two things in common. First, the Lord has nothing negative or detracting to comment regarding their corporate worship and evangelization.

Revelation Chapter Three, An Open Door

Revelation 3:8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

We shall see, like Smyrna, Philadelphia has nothing for the Lord to correct them about. Commendation is always followed by correction, and in this instance–as with Smyrna–there is no correction necessary. The church is unified and submitted to God the Holy Spirit.