The church in Philadelphia is the sixth of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, and the second of two churches that received only commendation without any condemnation from the Lord Jesus. It was a good church, but needed to be encouraged to continuously keep the patient Word. The word “patience” (Rev 3:10) means enduring and persevering. The word “kept” (Rev 3:10) means having been on guard over something precious. Believers must make sure that nobody, and nothing, will take God’s Word away from them. They must continuously ensure this, no matter the circumstances of life. 

1.  Know the Word you are keeping (Rev 3:7-8)

The Word to be kept is the Word of the Saviour. Christ is described as “holy” and “true” (Rev 3:7), so we as Christians must also be holy and honest. He is also described as having “the key of David” (Rev 3:7), indicating His sovereignty, as the key is a symbol of allowed entrance. He could address the Jews and had the right to instruct them. The church in Philadelphia was a church of “little strength” (Rev 3:8). The congregation was not large, and the believers were not well-off financially. Yet, they kept Christ’s Word and did not deny His name. (This was Christ’s commendation of them.) They were willing to suffer material loss, because they knew that they were keeping the Word of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ must be so precious to them. Know whose word you are keeping. Your conviction will be tested!

2.  The goal of keeping the Word (Rev 3:9-10)

The goal of keeping God’s Word is that those around us (including our enemies) may receive Christ and become believers too. Thus, we must love our enemies (Matt 5:44). The more we obey God’s Word, the clearer will the image of Christ be to others. If the church in Philadelphia continued to be kind, do good, and pray for the Jews who persecuted them, their persecutors might even become believers. As Jesus had suffered and died for us, we too must keep obeying God no matter how others treat us. God will “make them to come and worship” (Rev 3:9) together with us. We must keep His patient Word.

3.  The blessing of keeping the Word (Rev 3:11-13)

We must obey God’s Word for the rest of our lives. The blessing is that no man can take the crown of life away from us (Rev 3:11). Those who keep God’s Word will also be in the New Heaven and New Earth, where they will be in the presence of God forever.

God’s children must keep the patient Word. Without the Holy Spirit, they cannot do it. But with the Holy Spirit, all believers can.