Artistic Theology

The Church of Philadelphia Before we look at the letter to the Church of Philadelphia, we should recall that the last four letters are different than the first three. They have a different configuration in that the promise to the Overcomer is moved into the body of the letter, and they all contain a clearly expressed reference to the second coming of Jesus Christ, whereas the first three do not.   The name Philadelphia means "brotherly love", signifying the love that believers are to have for one another. Like the Church of Smyrna, Philadelphia was not criticized or condemned, but only given encouragement and promises. Jesus presents himself to this church as holy, true and having the Key of David, with all the authority that entails. He tells them "thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word and hast not denied my name." (Rev 3:8) This echos Jesus words while he was on earth "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also befor...

                                  The Church of Pergamos      The name Pergamos comes from the suffix "per" which means improper or undesirable and "gamos" which means to marry or marrying.  So, Pergamos literally had a name that meant "undesirable marriage," which is a fitting description of this church; since it was characterized by being married to the world.       We are told in scripture "to be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8) It comes as no surprise that when the church could not be stamped out from without by means of persecution and execution, Satan turned to the tactic of conquering from within.      The church of Pergamos was commended for holding fast to the faith and the name of Christ even though they were located in an area renowned for pa...