The Church of Brotherly Love

The Guinness World Record for the most prolific mother goes to the wife of a Russian peasant, who gave birth to twins 16 times, to triplets seven times, and to quadruplets four times—for a total of 69 children. Now that’s a lot of brotherly love!

The name of the sixth church, Philadelphia, means “brotherly love” in the Greek. The apostle John wrote, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11). This was the experience of these believers. In the historical application, powerful reforms at the turn of the nineteenth century swept through Christianity. Their personal, practical understanding of Christ’s love evoked believers to earnestly point all to the “open door” of salvation (Revelation 3:8).

These brothers and sisters were heavily attacked and cast out from other churches. They were mocked and ridiculed by those who professed to be true Christians but who rejected the advent message. They proved to be allies of Satan. It is fascinating that in the letters to Smyrna and to this church, Philadelphia, the only two churches to not receive any form of rebuke, Jesus identified those who belong to the “synagogue of Satan” as known adversaries. (See Revelation 2:9.)

Perhaps you wouldn’t think of Satan as the leader of a church, but Scripture reveals that Satan yearned to be worshiped, to “be like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14). His “synagogue” would aptly be one of deceit, “for he is a liar and the father of it” (John 8:44). Those who claim the name of Christian yet do not follow the Word of Christ belong to the devil’s church. They “say they are Jews,” spiritually, “but lie,” and are counterfeits.

Yet Jesus foretold their end. At the end of time, Scripture proclaims “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth” (Philippians 2:10). Even those who rebelled against the truth will ultimately admit that Christ is worthy of worship. Christ was not stating that His followers will be the ones to receive worship but rather that they would be vindicated in their faithfulness.

Lord God, put within me a heart of love for You that I may be a witness to my brethren and to my enemies of Your undying love.

For Further Study: John 13:35; Acts 2:46; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15

Key Bible Texts

Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Revelation 3:9 KJV)