Revelation 3:11-13 11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may take away your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
The church in Philadelphia needed to endure its trials so that it would not lose its crown. A crown represents the high honor a contest winner received, such as in athletic competitions, which were common in cities in the Roman Empire of the first century. The church would not lose its crown by accident but by someone taking it away. Who takes it away is not stated. The sovereignty of Jesus is clear in this and the other six letters. Nothing would happen without his knowledge. Satan and those who followed him could be part of the cause because of their deception. The answer to this danger was to hold fast (kratei), as in grasping something strongly with the hands. The Philadelphians had received the gospel and believed in it. They had a solid foundation of faith but needed to grow stronger in it lest they be enticed away by persecution or false teaching.
Verse 12 gives the promised outcome to those who remain true and steadfast in their faith. Philadelphia was known for having earthquakes that caused great damage. The need to be made into a strong pillar that withstood such quakes could be understood well by those who lived in the city. These Christians would be a special temple for God. The Jerusalem temple not only served as a place of worship but represented the place where God’s presence dwelt in a special way. Pagan temples had a similar concept. The faithful Christians would always be able to be in the presence of God. Behind this description is an implied holiness. They were made holy and worthy to be in the presence of the Holy God because of their acceptance of salvation through Jesus. There will be no temple in the new age because God is the temple (21:22). God is not confined to any location on earth or in heaven. The temple was always meant to represent God’s presence among people. God will be with us, and we will be with God.
The believers in Philadelphia will also be worthy to wear the name of God, Jerusalem, and the new name of Jesus. Their identity will be evident. Likewise, our identity must not be found in anything in this world or with the “beast” of chapter 13 but in God. The new Jerusalem is described further in chapter 21. The mention of Jesus’ new name could be a foreshadowing of 19:11–21 and the vision of the rider on a white horse whose name is “King of kings and Lord of lords.” The image in this verse gives assurance of victory and the promise of final salvation. The necessary response is to hold on and do not give up. Life presents many challenges and temptations. We serve the Holy God who calls us to preserve and grow in holiness in all that we do.