Eighteen years ago I would have agreed with such a conclusion, but there are a number of points which also need our consideration. I'll start with this one:
Here is choice, and the strongest indication of responsibility in this portion of Rev 3:10
"Because thou hast kept the word of my patience" *
This doesn't say because you are already my followers - it doesn't mention 'born again', nor does it mention Church goers or our state in any sense, it mentions clear responsibility which infers 'choice'.
This is put this way for a reason.
Which begs the questions, what is this 'word of his patience', and what happens to those Christians who don't keep this "word of his patience'?
NB: It's only fair to state here that this 'word of his patience' is different to what people realize.
* [Whole verse: "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."]
…
Philadelphia means brotherly love. Church means believers in Christ's sacrifice.
"Kept the word of my patience" means "waited patiently or endured".
Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the
church in
Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it:
for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 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.
10
Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
12 Him that overcometh 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.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 1:9 I, John,
your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.
I don't know what you're point is.
