Christ promises the Philadelphian Christians an open door that no one can shut. This is perhaps a door to productive ministry, but it is also, presumably, a doorway to heaven. Additionally, those who are persecuting the church will come to know Christ’s love for the faithful ones of Philadelphia, who are to become pillars in this city destroyed in AD 17 and rebuilt and renamed (one of the city’s many renamings) by Tiberius Caesar. The Philadelphian Christians (those who stand firm, as pillars in the wake of an earthquake) will receive three inscriptions: God’s name, the name of God’s city, and Christ’s (new) name.

What a beautiful promise to Philadelphia - and to us, when we feel discouraged in our efforts to serve the Lord!

Lastly, we journey 45 miles southeastward to Laodicea, about 100 miles east of Ephesus, the first stop on our circuit. In place of the Philadelphians’ commendation, the Laodiceans receive a strong rebuke - or several of them. While the familiar “neither hot nor cold” is often interpreted along the lines of “declare yourself a follower or an enemy,” it seems possible that Christ is imploring the Christians of Laodicea to strive to be a healing influence, like the hot springs of a city to its northwest, or a cool refreshment, like the cold water of Colossae, 10 miles south. Laodicea boasts an aqueduct and a fancy fountain, but its water is lukewarm - nice to look at, but NOT nice to drink!