To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:7-13
“Now, as to Philo the deacon, of Cilicia, a man of reputation, who still ministers to me in the word of God, along with Rheus Agathopus, an elect man, who has followed me from Syria, not regarding his life-these bear witness in your behalf; and I myself give thanks to God for you, that ye have received them, even as the Lord you. But may those that dishonoured them be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ! The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus, who was sent along with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnaeans, to show their respect. May the Lord Jesus Christ honour them, in whom they hope, in flesh, and soul, and faith, and love, and concord! Fare ye well in Christ Jesus, our common hope.”
Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Philadelphians (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).
For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.
These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.
Ignatius traveled with Philo and Rheus Agathopus, whom we read about yesterday in his letter to the Smyrnaeans. Now we see Burrhus, a scribe or letter writer, has joined the group thanks to the support of the Ephesians and Smyrnaeans.
Notice three things today from the opening of the message from our Lord Jesus Christ to the church in Philadelphia and from the correspondence to the church a generation later.
Firstly, Jesus knows their deeds and responds accordingly. Read the Scripture again. He says, “I know…I know…” followed by “I will make…I will make…I will make.”
When we do the deeds He desires of us, we can count on Him to act in accordance with His character. We can be assured of His generous and tender care in difficult times.
Secondly, names matter. Jesus will write His name on those who persevere. Because they played there part, they have much to look forward to in the city of God.
And it seems like we get examples with the fearless saints mentioned in this letter of Ignatius, namely, Philo the deacon, Rheus Agathopus the elect man, and Burrhus, a scribe or letter writer.
Thirdly, gratitude drips from every word of Ignatius. The church has received these fellow workers and appears unified in extending generous hospitality. We do this because we share a common hope.
Jesus knows our deeds. He values the roles we play. And He knows our names. So, to inspire others to persevere in playing their parts, we get call them by name and drip with the same gratitude of Ignatius.