(3) Verse 8 – First let us look at its application to the Philadelphia church of the first century. Jesus says even as she had little strength, this church had not denied his name and had kept his word by her deeds of faith. Many biblical experts feel that Jesus means numerical strength here when he says ‘little strength’, the Philadelphia church being small in number. Even in that situation, the Philadelphian church members were not intimidated by the countless heathen that surrounded them and did not deny Jesus’ name. Rather they continued to do works of faith, which earns them praise from Jesus. Our ecclesia too might be small in number. And our environment might be teeming with heathen. But we should be like the Philadelphians in doing intense gospel work even in such a situation. Since the first century Philadelphians had been like that, Jesus says he is placing an open door (a suitable environment) before them to facilitate their gospel work and that no one could shut it. Essentially Jesus encourages them by promising that an amicable environment would prevail, suitable for their gospel activities to continue. When we too sincerely do works of gospel, God would certainly take them to fruition.
(4) Next let us study the explanation of this verse that applies to the church of the sixth time period that the first century Philadelphian church typified. The sixth church was of the period 1648 – 1874 A.D. And as Jesus says here, this church too had little strength, i.e. was very less in number. And we can realize why that was the case from the message to the earlier (fifth) church. In our last issue we studied that even many true believers were misled by things like the doctrinal reformation that happened during the period of the fifth church (See Scripture Study – Blossom 13: Feb ’11, Para 06). And we saw that, consequentially only a few remained as true Christians during that time (Rev 3:4). Thus the number of true Christians was reduced during the fifth church thereby affecting the strength of the sixth church that followed as well. But as Jesus says here, even as the sixth church’s members were a few in numbers, they were seen as members who did many deeds for the gospel. Historically it was during the times of this church that the European countries conquered many parts of the world including Africa, Asia and South America. Making use of this, the true Christians of these times traveled to many countries of the world and spread the Christian truth. Moreover it was during the times of this church (in 1776 A.D.) that the USA gained its freedom from the British. And freedom of religion was valued and cherished in the newly independent nation of America. So many true Christian denominations were able to operate freely and preach the true gospel. Thus, even as the sixth church’s members were of little numerical strength, they kept the word of God and performed many works of gospel. Moreover, as we saw earlier, the freedom of religious worship granted by the treaties of the Peace of Westphalia signed in 1648 A.D., served as the open door placed by Jesus before this church and facilitated the sixth church’s true Christians to do gospel work without facing any hurdles. As a matter of fact, as Jesus says here, this open door of freedom of religious worship could not be shut by anyone after and actually became larger as time went by. Even as there were occasional stumbles, it’s a historical fact that freedom of religious worship gradually increased during this period. It was widely prevalent in America in particular (Actually it was widespread there even before it became a separate nation in 1776 A.D.). Furthermore, after the Catholic Church’s fall from power in 1799 A.D., freedom of religion started becoming the norm in Europe as well. Thus, history proves that Jesus placed the open door of freedom of religion before the sixth church. It also serves us as an exciting assurance that we have been essentially determining the time periods of the seven churches in an accurate manner.
(5) Verses 9, 10 – As usual let us first study the explanation that applies to the first century Philadelphia church. When we were examining the Smyrna church, our readers might remember learning about the Christians of the first two centuries experiencing persecution from the Jews (See Scripture Study – Blossom 11: Dec ’10, Para 04). The Jews of those times were not happy with this new sect called Christians who were claiming traditional Jewish scriptures as their own and were also worshipping the Jewish God. So they were persecuting the Christians and mocking them. But if those Jews had been true Jews who had properly understood the Law, they would have accepted Christ whom the Law had foretold. But they did not accept Christ. That’s why Jesus refers to them as ‘who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars’. Such Jews were in the city of Philadelphia as well. But Jesus says those Jews would soon realize that the gospel of Christ preached by the church in Philadelphia was indeed right and would come and fall down at the feet of the church begging forgiveness for the actions they had committed against the Christians. He assures the church that the Jews of Philadelphia would acknowledge that the love of God was upon the church in the city. This prophetic message of Jesus would have energized the Philadelphian church members and when it got fulfilled, it would have strengthened their faith. Since the Philadelphians had followed the word of God including the command for patient endurance of persecution even as they were small in number, Jesus tells them he would keep them from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. Here even as Jesus says ‘the hour of trial that is… to test the inhabitants of the earth’, he actually means the hour of trial that is to test only the church members who inhabit the earth, because people who do not belong to the church cannot be tested now. We know that Jesus delivers this message to John around 95/96 A.D. So what was the trial that came upon the entire church members on earth around that period? Let us think! When John wrote the Book of Revelation, he was the last remaining Apostle of Christ. When he too died after a few years, the Church for the first time was left alone without any Apostle of Christ. Jesus essentially means this as the hour of trial to come upon all the church members on earth. During this time of trial, many false doctrines arose and bedeviled many of the church members. Many churches drifted the wrong way due to lack of proper guardians. Jesus assures the Philadelphians that he would safeguard them from essentially this trial. Likewise he would have protected them by giving them good guardians during the hour of trial after the death of his Apostles. It was his reward for their patient endurance of the trials they had faced earlier. When we too patiently endure and overcome trials, it’s certain that God would reward us suitably.
(6) Next let us study the explanation that caters to the Church of the sixth time period that was typified by the first century Philadelphian church. Whom does Jesus refer to as Jews here? In the case of the actual Philadelphian church, he was referring to the actual Jews in flesh. But in the anti-typical explanation that applies to the sixth church, he essentially means the Christians who are the spiritual Jews (See Scripture Study – Blossom 11: Dec ’10, Para 05). That being the case, whom does he classify as those ‘who claim to be Jews though they are not’? – The nominal Christians indeed. The most predominant nominal Christian church of these times was essentially the Catholic Church. During the sixth time period of 1648 – 1874 A.D., Jesus says some among those namesake Christians would realize the true gospel and become real Christians. As a matter of fact, historically many separated from the Catholic Church during this time. This was due to many reasons, some of them being – a widespread increase of freedom of religious worship starting from 1648 A.D., the Catholic Church’s fall from power in 1799 A.D. and the proliferation of Bible societies since 1804 A.D. So a lot of people were able to come into the real Christian truth during this time. Yes, it was only the few whom God predestined that got baptized, but during this period, many came to understand that the teachings of the Catholic Church were wrong and got awareness about true Christian doctrines. As Jesus says here, this was indeed the time when the false preachers of the Dark Ages and their teachings were gradually invalidated one by one. Moreover since this church’s members patiently endured and overcame the trials they faced even when they were small in number, Jesus says he would safeguard them from the major hour of trial that was to come. So what was that time of great trial that came during the period of this church from 1648 to 1874 A.D.? Many of us might know that the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church came to an end in 1799 A.D. But not many would know that the end times of the second world started around that same year as well. Yes, the end times of the second world essentially started in 1798/99 A.D. (See Grace – Blossom 33: Sep ’10, Para 04). The basis for that deduction is Daniel 11:40 (There is no space in this issue to study that verse in-depth). In a couple of earlier issues of Grace, we might remember studying about the end times being times of great trouble (See Grace – Blossom 33: Sep ’10; Blossom 34: Oct ’10). From 1648 till 1798/99 A.D., the sixth church patiently endured in her faith even when she was of little numerical strength. So Jesus says he would protect her from the period of great trouble of the end times that started in 1798/99 A.D. Likewise if we look at the remaining years of the sixth church from 1798/99 – 1874 A.D., God performed many actions to help that church. Starting 1799 A.D. the Catholic Church had no power to persecute the true Christians. Also before that year, the Bible was never in the hands of the masses, but starting 1804 A.D., many Bible societies were established and scores of people got their hands upon the Book. Moreover God had sealed up many prophecies till the end times so that they remained un-understood till then (Dan 12:4). But when the end times started in 1798/99 A.D., that seal was broken and the church members who sought and studied those prophecies started understanding them. Thus, as Jesus says here, God strengthened the sixth church’s members to face the troubles of the end times by increasing access to the Bible facilitating its widespread usage and also by allowing understanding of the prophecies it contained.
(7) Verses 11, 12, 13 – Finally, Jesus tells the first century Philadelphian church and her anti-typical sixth church that he is coming soon and warns them to be careful not to let anyone else take their crown which is the reward for winning the spiritual race through acts of faith. We might remember studying in an earlier issue of Scripture Study that no matter what time period a church belonged to, the second coming of Christ was a soon-to-occur event from the perspective of her members’ lifetimes (See Scripture Study – Blossom 13: Feb ’11, Para 02). Furthermore, Jesus says he would make the one who is victorious a part (a pillar) of the temple of God for eternity. He adds that he would write on them the name of Yahweh God, the name of the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God and his own new name. The new Jerusalem denotes the Church, the bride of Christ (Rev 21:2). In ancient times, when a person gave his name to someone, it implied that the receiver belonged to the giver. The victorious would belong to Yahweh God and Jesus Christ. That’s why Jesus says they would not only be getting the Church’s name, but also receive God’s name and his own new name. It’s remarkable that neither here nor anywhere else the Bible tells us what actually the new name of Jesus is. It’s only for the victorious the blessing of knowing that name is reserved. Jesus asks the church to listen to his message delivered via his messenger, one of the seven Spirits.
(8) Verse 14 – Next, Jesus commences the message for the last church in Laodicea. He introduces himself as ‘the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation’. This is a beautiful description. How so? As God’s first creation, Jesus was the only one to witness all of God’s subsequent acts of creation. So there is no question of anyone else being a better witness than him for God. Also we know he is the designated ruler of all of God’s creation. Furthermore Jesus introducing himself as ‘the Amen’ shows to how much extent he is obedient to God. How is that? The meaning of the word ‘Amen’ (Strong’s No: 281) is ‘so be it’. Essentially Jesus declares himself to be one who would say ‘so be it’, no matter what the will of God happens to be. Doesn’t this show how fiercely obedient he is to God! What does this tell us? We too should follow our Master’s fierceness in being as sons who always say ‘Amen’ to God. We also know that this church in Laodicea not only denotes the actual church in the first century city of that name, but also represents the church of the seventh time period (See Scripture Study – Blossom 09: Oct’10, Para 06). So as usual, let us first look at the explanation for the first century church at the city of Laodicea. This city was around 40 miles south-east to the city of Philadelphia where the church we had studied about before was located. During the first century, this was a thriving wealthy city. Super-rich people lived there. A reason behind this was the presence of many important banks in the city. So trade flourished. Furthermore, it was also famous for its black wool factories.
(9) Now let us look at the church of the seventh time period that the first century church in Laodicea typified. Earlier in Para 2 of this issue we saw that, since the message to this church mentions the second presence of Christ during her time, the duration of this church started in 1874 A.D, the year the second presence of Christ began (Rev 3:20). Furthermore, being the last church, this church that began in 1874 A.D. would last till the Church is complete. Yes, we are indeed living in the times of the seventh church.
(10) Verses 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 – As usual, let us first study the explanation that applies to the first century church in Laodicea. Jesus scolds this church that her deeds were neither cold nor hot. A drink is good if it’s either hot or cold. But if it’s neither of those and just warm instead, is it pleasing to drink at all? The works of the Laodicean church members were like that. Meaning, they were just nominal deeds done just for the sake of it. There was a reason behind Jesus using this metaphor in his message to the first century Laodicean church. In Hierapolis, a city near Laodicea, there was a hot spring. The water for the city of Laodicea essentially came from that hot spring via canals. But by the time it reached Laodicea, the water would lose most of its heat and was just warm, not that pleasing to drink. And Colosse, another adjacent city, had a pleasing cool spring. Thus, the citizens of Laodicea alone had to drink displeasing warm water when the cities near them had theirs delightfully hot/cool. So the Laodiceans would have easily understood the meaning of this metaphor used by Jesus. But many interpret its meaning inaccurately. They wrongly assume that cold is bad and hot is good. But Jesus says here he wishes the Laodiceans had been either cold or hot. So in this metaphor, both hot & cold essentially mean good. That is, water or any drink, be it hot or cold is pleasing to drink and thereby useful. Likewise Jesus says the gospel works of the Laodicean church members should have been fruitful in some way. If they do not repent, Jesus warns them that he would spit them out of his mouth i.e. push them away to their second deaths. Moreover the church members of that flourishing city were wealthy and considered themselves richly blessed and did not think they lacked anything in righteousness. But Jesus tells them they were spiritually poor & wretched, blind, naked in their unrighteousness and pitifully unblessed. Jesus counsels them to acquire refined spiritual gold to become spiritually wealthy. He essentially means the refinement achieved by offering themselves to him as living sacrifices. They might have been wearing expensive attire. But they were deemed naked in their unrighteousness as their faith was dead, lacking in proper gospel works. Jesus advises them to perform good works of gospel that would fulfill their faith and thereby get white clothes of righteousness from him to cover their shameful current state of nakedness. Moreover their namesake spiritual lives had blinded them to the knowledge of the truth. So Jesus counsels them to pray for the Holy Spirit that would be the salve to cure their blindness to truth. He tells them that he rebukes and disciplines those whom he loves. So he warns them to be earnest in listening to his rebuke and to repent. When Jesus says he stands at the door and knocks, in the corresponding explanation that applies to the Laodicean church of the first century it does not mean his second presence, but rather indicates him standing at the doors of their hearts and knocking to make them repent and turn from their wrongful ways. If any of them repents, Jesus says he would enter his heart and provide him with the food of the real Truth. There is no way for us to find out how many in the Laodicean church heeded this warning message of Jesus and repented. But this warning serves us a lesson for us too. Are we just being namesake Christians? Are we giving importance to worldly luxuries and just living a Christian life that is neither hot nor cold? Let us do some introspection. And let us not forget that even as we might know deep truths, a Christian life that lacks works of gospel is effectively useless.
(11) Now let us study this verse’s application to the church of the seventh time period that the Laodicean church shadowed. We noted earlier that the seventh church is the church that has been in existence since 1874 A.D. till date. As Jesus says here, the church of these times has been one which does deeds that are neither cold nor hot. It’s a worrisome fact that this behavior is seen even among true Christians. There are many reasons for this. The Pentecostal movement that started in 1901 A.D. spread worldwide. It popularized a wrong belief that Christ would provide worldly riches. This is known as Prosperity Gospel. So today, even true Christians confuse worldly activities like earning loads of money, getting married etc. with the Christian faith. What do we say about Apostle Paul then? Neither did he have a good job nor did he acquire wealth. And he never got married. If these were considered spiritual blessings, wouldn’t we have to absurdly conclude that Christ did not bless Apostle Paul? Many do not realize this folly. And instead of devoting themselves to gospel work, they carry out certain activities for namesake and consider themselves blessed because of their worldly riches. Furthermore, nowadays a culture of materialist consumerism is prevalent worldwide. This too is a reason for such a mindset. So many Christians see their own well-being as important. Moreover even many true Christians get themselves mired in the end times’ deluge of sins. Then failing to repent, they continue in their sins and end up naked losing their robes of righteousness. And some others wrongly start believing they could achieve self-righteousness and perfection by means of their own actions and thereby end up naked losing the true righteousness that comes only by faith in Christ and God’s grace. In particular, it’s indeed true that many true Christians of today do not sincerely perform works of gospel. As a result of that too, having their action-less faith being deemed dead, they lose the righteousness they had once gained by God’s grace and end up naked. And many other Christians lose their spiritual eyes and blindly start following some preacher or a false prophet or an elder. The Bible must be our one and only guide. We should always have a mindset of studying the Bible with an open mind with the help of the Holy Spirit. Instead, if we have an attitude of always following some person’s teachings, we would become people who ignore and insult the Holy Spirit. Let us examine ourselves. The Christians of these times are mired in such wrongdoings. Jesus asks them to realize their wretched, poor, blind and naked condition and calls them to repent. Those true Christians who do not heed his call, he would spit out into their second deaths. Jesus counsels them to acquire spiritual gold by offering themselves as living sacrifices in doing works of gospel. He tells them to wear white clothes of righteousness and not to end up naked either by being conceitedly self-righteous or through non-repentant sinning. He advises them to apply the salve of the Holy Spirit on their eyes to cure their spiritual blindness. We need to listen earnestly to this counsel from Jesus, simply because of the fact that it’s intended for the church of our times. When his beloved chosen ones stray the wrong way, Jesus rebukes and disciplines them. If we are on such a wrong path, we should earnestly repent and reform our ways. We should never forget that we can become spiritually rich only by performing works of gospel with complete devotion and not by just doing them for namesake. Since we have to safeguard our clothes of righteousness from getting stained, we should refrain from even minor wrongdoings, and in case we end up committing a sin, we should immediately seek forgiveness from God. At the same time, we should never forget the fact that we are deemed righteous only by the grace of God. Likewise, desisting from blindly following any man, let us always seek, study and follow the Bible’s teachings with the help of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the times of our seventh church began during 1874 A.D., the same year when Christ’s Second Presence commenced. Therefore as Jesus says here, he is essentially standing at the door and knocking for the entire time period of this church. But since his presence is spiritual and invisible to the naked eye, many Christians have not realized it. Only those who were and are awake see him and open the door. To them who open the door like that, he provides spiritual food that nourishes and flourishes the knowledge of truth. Don’t we know this from our own experience?
(12) Verses 21, 22 – Finally, Jesus says that just as he had been victorious and had sat down on the Father’s throne, he would also grant the victorious church members the right to sit with him on his throne. Truly, the blessing that is to come upon us is glorious. Jesus asks whoever that has ears to listen to what the messenger says to the Laodicean and the church of the seventh time period. Yes, the church typified by the Laodicean church of those times is the seventh church. And the period of the seventh church is now. So it’s essentially our duty to listen to this message from Jesus and spread it everywhere. That is why issues of Grace and Scripture Study have continued to proclaim that it’s impossible to win the eternal crown without doing works of gospel. That is why they have been insisting that, even as we of the sinful flesh gain righteousness only by divine grace, it’s very necessary that we intensely fight sin as much as possible and continue to remain under divine forgiveness by asking for it whenever we end up sinning. That is why they have continued to emphasize not to follow any man’s teachings and instead to study the Bible with an open mind. This service would continue further. Because, these are indeed the messages from Jesus to the church of our times!
(13) Thanks be to God for granting us the wisdom to study with an open mind the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation in the last seven issues! For our 
readers’ convenience, the time periods of the anti-typical churches of the seven time periods have been tabulated on the right side. It’s indeed true that certain old and familiar interpretations have changed during the course of this study that progressed with an attitude of having the Bible as the one and only guide. But it’s also true that if the Holy Spirit had not helped us, the shadows, the history and the Bible would not have matched so beautifully like we saw them do in our study. Especially because, far from being a superficial study, we went into every minute detail and still they matched beautifully and logically! We request you to accept our interpretations only after intensively testing everything by doing your own studies. Let all praise & glory belong only to God and His Christ! Amen.
– Starting next issue, the Book of Micah shall be studied –