A Revelation Invitation

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

“‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.’” (Revelation 3:7-9 ESV)

The synagogue of Satan. That’s not a description adorning any Jewish temple today. It seems a rather harsh assessment to say the least. What did Jesus mean by calling their opposition a synagogue of Satan? In Philadelphia some prominent Jews perceived a struggle between themselves and the followers of Jesus over who had God’s approval. The Jews believed themselves to be the chosen people of God. And why wouldn’t they? They were the ethnic descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. On the other side of their perceived rivalry were the followers of Jesus, that Jewish rabbi who had been crucified. He taught that the ethnic claim was no longer the marker of the people of God. The new marker was faith like that of Abraham. Jesus had declared them acceptable as God’s chosen people irritating many in Philadelphia’s Jewish community. Having the keys of David, Jesus had the authority to open the door to the Gentiles, a door that this synagogue of Satan could not shut. This dispute does not concern us today. But the general contention over who has God’s approval, or more generally, who serves the righteous cause is still with us.

Every relationship in which there is potential for a power play, whether between groups or individuals, is susceptible to the type of conflict that Jesus identified in this letter. Too often people believe that conflicts are won by those who shout the loudest or by the strong imposing their will upon the weak. The louder and stronger believe their cause is the righteous one. The louder and stronger believe that they are approved. We see it in politics. We deal with it in office power struggles. We sometimes experience it between church factions. It can infect and wreck our families. In any relationship, it can lead to verbal or physical abuse. As the people of the Messiah, we know God does not favor the strong over the weak. For confirmation look no further than Jesus himself who was enthroned as King when he was crucified in weakness!

Amazingly, in our own weakness we too can expect to be uplifted as Jesus was. He promises the church in Philadelphia: “I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.” If people mistreat us, Jesus will make them come and bow down before our feet and learn that he has loved us. If people slander us, Jesus will make them come and bow down before our feet and learn that he has loved us. If people exploit us, harass us or persecute us, Jesus will make them come and bow down before our feet and learn that he has loved us. As the people of the Messiah, we are confident that we have God’s approval no matter how loud or dominating or abusive someone or some group is. Jesus will make them come and fall down at our feet and acknowledge that he has loved us. This is vindication—righteous vindication that only God can dispense. And it is glorious. Jesus promises to right the wrongs done to us. What a wonderful promise.

Without a doubt God will vindicate his people. We may not be entangled in the same controversies as the church in Philadelphia. But we face our own tormentors today. Our suffering, even if intense, is momentary in light of his vindication which will be eternal. The people who abuse their power will, in the end, be brought down and forced to learn that we are God’s chosen people, that the cause of Christ is the righteous cause. God’s power will be displayed even in our weakness. We already enjoy God’s approval. No one can take that from us.

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, you are the holy one. Your son is the true one. He has brought me into your family, made me one of your people. As your child, I believe you love and protect me. In the end, you will right the wrongs that are committed against me. I trust you to vindicate me. Your repayment will be just and right. So I need not retaliate because your vindication will satisfy. Confident in this, I will endure for your sake whatever suffering and persecution I receive at the hands of others. Amen.