Читать книгу A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse - Sylvester Bliss - Страница 15

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“And to the messenger of the congregation in Philadelphia write: These things saith the Holy, the True One, he who hath the key of David, he who openeth, and no one shutteth; and shutteth, and no one openeth: I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no one can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast held fast my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews, and are not, but who lie; behold, I will make them come and bow down before thy feet, and know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, which will come on all the world, to try those, who dwell on the earth. I come quickly: hold fast that which thou hast, that no one take thy crown. I will make him, who overcometh, a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will 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 cometh down out of heaven from my God:) and my new name. He, who hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the congregations.”—Rev. 3:7–13.

The church of Philadelphia had maintained her integrity, and is therefore addressed in the language of commendation, without the rebukes which were directed to her sister churches. Having remained true to Him who “was called Faithful and True” (19:11), the epistle to this church makes mention of the Saviour by those titles, which are significant of his own faithfulness and inherent holiness.

“The key of David,” brings to view the prediction of that which was to be laid “upon his shoulder;” so that “he shall open, and [pg 047] none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open,” Isa. 22:22. A key symbolizes that which will open or unlock, or will close fast: therefore said the Saviour, “I … have the keys of hell and of death.” By virtue of this power, an open door was set before the church of Philadelphia, which no man should be able to close.

The Jews in Philadelphia, who had claimed to be the only true church of God, but who were in reality of the synagogue of Satan, were to cease their opposition to the Christians, and to seek instruction and protection from them—recognizing the love of God to Gentiles as well as to Jews. History is silent respecting the fulfilment of this; but there is no reason to suppose that it was not literally fulfilled.

The “hour of temptation,” which was to “come upon all the world, to try them that dwell on the earth,” was to be one of peculiar trial. Some suppose it had reference to the persecution under Trajan, which was more severe and extensive than those under Nero, or Domitian: and others that it was the Mohammedan delusion. In such times there are peculiar temptations to apostatize, and the less faithful are in more danger of apostasy than others. But because the Philadelphian church had been faithful thus far, they were to be kept from that trying hour. When the scourge of Mohammedanism swept over all the other [pg 048] churches of Asia, this church maintained its integrity. Says Gibbon: “Among the Greek colonies and churches of Asia, Philadelphia is still erect, a column in a scene of ruins. At a distance from the sea, forgotten by the emperors, encompassed on all sides by the Turks, her valiant citizens defended their religion and their freedom above fourscore years, and at length capitulated with the proudest of the Ottomans.” Philadelphia is still the seat of an archbishop, and contains from six hundred to seven hundred Greek houses, and several places of Christian worship. “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations,” 2 Pet. 2:9.

They are encouraged to constancy by the prospect of the coming coronation day, when “the Lord; the righteous Judge shall give” a “crown of righteousness,” “unto all them that love his appearing,” 2 Tim. 4:8. He has said “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (2:10); and therefore “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away,” 1 Pet. 5:4.

A pillar in the temple of God, is expressive of a position which shall give support to the church, which is erected “upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone; In whom the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye [pg 049] also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit,” Eph. 2:20–22.

To receive the name of God, is to be recognized as belonging to God. As masters designated their servants by branding their name on them, or by some peculiar mark, so the children of God are referred to by the same figure. In a subsequent vision John saw with the Lamb on Mount Zion, “an hundred and forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads,” 14:1. Their connection with new Jerusalem is similarly designated.