“HE THAT OVERCOMETH” IN PHILADELPHIA
He is one who is occupied with Christ and with the voice of the Spirit personally, and hence with Christ also in the saints, wherever they are found, instead of with the “church in Philadelphia” (or rather with that which represents it today).
That which is of Christ, and precious to Christ, is alone of moment to him. “My word ... my name”. The “word” refers wherever it is found to the mind of God. It is what is sought as suited to Christ—and in Him who is now the hidden manna, delighting to the heart of God, it was ever seen, as Man. In His “word” it came out as the expression of God’s will: “Altogether that which I also say to you”, John 8: 25 NT. By “him that overcometh” it is desired, in himself and in those dear to Christ, and this alone enjoyed, as the present and satisfying portion of the soul!
“My name” is what is set forth in Christ. It is what God has put upon Him (see Isa 9: 6, 7, and Matt 1: 23), more the external than “my word”, I think. “My word” is the “hidden man of the heart” (1 Pet 3: 4), but “my name” is more the character before men. I read Matt 18: 20 as character. “Unto my name” characterises those referred to there. They desire no display save this.
He will ‘stereotype’ these things (the internal and the external) in the future, on “him that overcometh” today. They shall mark him or her throughout the coming eternal day!
“Him that overcometh6 will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name”.
Note here how that which is precious to Christ is marked by this little word “my”! Hence the simple eye is set on what is dear to Christ, and not on the church in Philadelphia.
The Lord commends all He can, in each of the seven churches, and also Philadelphia. Yet in the lapsed state of every local church, of which Philadelphia is one, the important matter is not Philadelphia, nor the being of Philadelphia, but the being him that “overcometh” in Philadelphia! Christ takes the place of the church (the moment she fails) with every true-hearted soul. He does not re-instate the church. His place and attitude thence is that of the “holy and the true”, and also when she has failed He becomes the faithful and true Witness. He who is simple has “turned to see the voice” (Rev 1: 12), like John did—that is, he has turned away from the failed church to Christ. This is individual testimony and may become that of many, see 2 Tim 2: 22. And it is the truth for this “hour”, 1 John 2: 18.
From Helps for the Poor of the Flock—vol 9, 1904
