7 This message is for the divine emissary to Philadelphia, the guardian of the apostolic elder, of the gathering called together at Philadelphia. You are one of those stars which I hold in my right hand. These prophetic words addressed to you are the words of the holy one, the true one. I am the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. Receive this message and use it to strengthen the light of your menorah.
8 I know all that you do for me, and, as a result, I have set before you an open door, for your continuing witness and service to me, which no one is able to shut. No one and no power will be able to diminish your testimony when you are called upon to testify to the truth of the Good News of Israel and Her forgiveness through me. I know that you have but little power. You will not need more than this. Having only a little power, you have keep my word and have never denied my name.
9 I know you are harassed by those who attempt to demonize you, certain non-Jews pretending to be Jews, who are not and never were Jews*. Their synagogue is not the synagogue of Moses but of Satan. Though they continue to harass you, they will not be able to diminish your testimony. They think that they can replace you, to take your place in my heart. I will make them stand before you and lower their heads and acknowledge that Jerusalem is my bride and not the nations, and you are my witnesses. In the end they will learn that I have loved you and chosen you.
10 You listened and understood and did as I taught, about waiting for me to come to you again, and have anticipated my coming every day, patiently enduring all things until I come. Because of this, you will be prepared when the hour of trial comes, which is coming upon the whole world. And I will be standing with you to support you. Not being conformed to the world, but transformed by the renewing of your minds, when the great trial turns the world, all the nations upon the earth, inside out and upside down, your life will remain stable.
11 It may seem that you have waited long, but, in truth, I am coming soon. In the end, it will seem that it is like no time has passed at all. So, hold on to everything you have accomplished. Do not let those who are jealous of you, who want to take your place, try to take the royal crown of my anointed faith off of you. For it is with the spirit of my faith that God has anointed your head.
12 The one who overcomes their unbelief and obeys what the Spirit says I will make a pillar of strength belonging to the Temple of my God. They will remain in the very Presence of God and will not ever have to leave it to descend to lesser realms. I will write the name of my God upon them, for they will belong to Him. And I will write the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, upon them, for they shall belong to Her. She will come down from heaven and I will be with Her. And I will write my own name upon them, for their identity will be that they belong to me.
13 You who hear this message from the Spirit know who you are. Listen carefully to what the Spirit says to each of the assemblies. Not everyone who counts themselves a member of an assembly, or does works in my name, hears and believes what the Spirit says.
The Text
7 “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.
8 “‘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.
9 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.
10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.
13 Whoever has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
