To you who are of the Assembly of Philadelphia

“And to the messenger of the assembly in Philadelphia write,
‘He who is set-apart, He who is true, He who has the key of Dawiḏ, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens, says this…”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:7, TS2009

The Assembly of Brotherly Love

The message to Philadelphia is one of encouragement and approval. Like Smyrna, it receives no rebuke — only words of praise and exhortation. The very name Philadelphia (φιλαδελφία) means brotherly love. It represents an assembly — or even an individual — characterized by genuine love for one another, born out of a deep love for Y’hoshua HaMashiach and for His Word.

This love forms the spiritual atmosphere in which devotion to Y’hovah and His Torah flourishes. Out of this atmosphere, true unity among talmidim grows — not through religious system or hierarchy, but through shared love for the Truth.

From Sardis to Philadelphia — A Call to Teshuvah

Philadelphia emerges from Sardis — a remnant that came out of spiritual deadness. Those who heard the call of teshuvah (תשובה, repentance) turned fully to Avinu Elohei and His Torah, renewing their faith through the work of the Ruach HaKodesh.

In these last days, we see this same awakening: talmidim returning to the WAY (Acts 24:14), rediscovering the Hebraic roots of emunah (faith) and walking again as living branches connected to the Vine — Y’hoshua HaMashiach.

He Who Is Holy and True

Mashiach presents Himself to this assembly with a new revelation of His character:

“He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David…”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:7

He is holy, because Philadelphia has sanctified itself from the corruption of Sardis. He is true, because this assembly walks in sincerity and inner faithfulness.

“See, You have desired truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You make me know wisdom.”
— Tehillim (Psalm) 51:6

He holds the key of David, the authority to open and close according to His sovereign will:

“And I shall place the key of the house of Dawiḏ on his shoulder. And he shall open, and no one shuts; and shall shut, and no one opens.”
— Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 22:22

“When He breaks something down, it cannot be rebuilt; when He imprisons someone, they cannot be released.”
— Iyov (Job) 12:14

The Open Door of the WAY

“I know your works – see, I have set before you an open door, and no one is able to shut it – that you have little power, yet have guarded My Word, and have not denied My Name.”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:8

This open door is not merely opportunity; it is access to the treasures of Avinu Elohei’s Word — His Kingdom secrets, His righteousness, His presence. Even those who feel weak or unnoticed receive strength and insight when they guard His Word and honor His Name.

The Apostle Sha’ul reminds us:

“But this I do admit to you: I worship the God of our fathers in accordance with the WAY (which they call a sect). I continue to believe everything that accords with the Torah and everything written in the Prophets.”
— Ma’asei (Acts) 24:14, CJB

Like Philadelphia, the WAY is not popular with the world or religion — yet Y’hovah keeps its door open. The Spirit invites those who hunger for truth to step through it.

Keeping His Word and His Name

Philadelphia’s strength lies not in numbers or prestige, but in faithfulness — they have kept His Word and not denied His Name.

“This Y’hoshua is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. There is salvation in no one else! For there is no other Name under heaven given to mankind by whom we must be saved.”
— Ma’asei (Acts) 4:11–12

“For wherever two or three are assembled in My Name, I am there with them.”
— Mattityahu (Matthew) 18:20

“I have come in My Father’s Name, and you do not accept Me; if someone else comes in his own name, him you will accept.”
— Yochanan (John) 5:43

Faithful talmidim cherish this Name — Y’hoshua, meaning YHVH is salvation — rejecting counterfeit identities and religious substitutes.

The Synagogue of the Adversary

“See, I am giving up those of the congregation of Satan, who say they are Y’hudim and are not, but lie. See, I am making them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:9

The faithful of Philadelphia endured opposition from those who claimed to be the true people of Elohim but denied His Word. This mirrors today’s religious systems that replace Yisrael with the “Church,” claiming to be the new Israel while rejecting Torah. Then there are those of a particular religion that call themselves Jews and are waiting for their Messiah, and thus reject our Rabbi Y'hoshua HaMashiach (which is truly theirs) and the renewed covenant apostolic writings.

But Y’hoshua promises vindication. Those who misrepresented His truth will one day acknowledge that He loved this faithful remnant — those who walked humbly in His WAY and did not compromise His Name.

Kept from the Hour of Trial

“Because you have guarded My Word of endurance, I also shall guard you from the hour of trial which shall come upon all the world.”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:10

This promise speaks to divine protection during the coming great tribulation — the hour that will test the entire earth. Those who dwell on the earth (inhabitants of this world) will face judgment, but the faithful — those who dwell in heaven through Mashiach — will be preserved.

“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and the perseverance which the Messiah gives.”
— 2 Thessalonikeim (2 Thessalonians) 3:5

Hold Fast and Keep Burning

“See, I am coming speedily! Hold what you have, that no one take your crown.”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:11

Mashiach’s call is to hold fast — to preserve that fervent, burning love for Him and for one another.
When love cools, faith becomes lukewarm — the warning to Laodicea.

“So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth!”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:16

Do not let go of what you have. Love is your crown — your eternal reward and the mark of true discipleship.

A Pillar in the Temple of Elohim

“He who overcomes, I shall make him a supporting post in the Dwelling Place of My Elohim, and he shall by no means go out. And I shall write on him the Name of My Elohim, and the name of the city of My Elohim, the renewed Yerushalayim… and My renewed Name.”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:12

Those who overcome will be made pillars in the heavenly Temple — steadfast, immovable, and honored forever.
Though despised on earth, these faithful ones will be revealed as the true supports of Avinu Elohei’s house.

“For we have no permanent city here; on the contrary, we seek the one to come.”
— Ivrim (Hebrews) 13:14–15

This city is the renewed Yerushalayim, descending from heaven — the dwelling of the redeemed. There, Y’hoshua will inscribe His renewed Name upon the overcomer, signifying eternal union with Him.

Hear What the Spirit Says

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
— Ḥazon (Revelation) 3:13

Philadelphia is a living model for every talmid in these last days — faithful, loving, persevering. Yet even here, the Spirit calls us to listen carefully and to guard the flame of love.

“What effort do you have to make to hold fast what you have?”

May we, like Philadelphia, remain steadfast in love, humble in strength, and faithful to His Name until He returns.

By Rabbi Francisco Arbas
📧 franciscoarbas.yisrael@gmail.com
Following His ‘WAY’ — Netzari Mashiach Judaism