The Worldwide Church of God (WCG) identified itself with the Philadelphia church described in Christ's letter in Revelation 3:7-13, viewing the open door of verse 8 as a mandate to preach the gospel. This identification seemed fitting given the WCG's powerful gospel outreach and the positive tone of the letter, which includes God's promise of protection from the hour of trial. However, this led to an idolatry among some members who valued the organization above God Himself. The reference to the key of David in verse 7 was seen as symbolic of government, morphing into a mistaken belief that church government equated to God's government, despite being run by fallible men with limited authority from God. Many members felt secure as long as the organization prospered numerically and financially, and they remained in good standing, often neglecting a deeper personal relationship with God in favor of loyalty to the organization. As doctrinal corruption emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the call to hold fast in Revelation 3:11 was interpreted by some as clinging to the WCG or its past model, rather than holding fast to God as emphasized in earlier scriptures. This focus on the organization over God fostered competition and exclusivity among groups claiming the Philadelphia mantle, with an emphasis on having the open door to do God's work and showcase His favor. Ironically, despite the name Philadelphia meaning brotherly love, those most eager to claim this identity often struggled to show love to spiritual brethren outside their organizational walls. The profound effect of seeing itself as Philadelphia serves as a caution against self-serving interpretations of Scripture and prioritizing organizational affiliation over a direct relationship with God and adherence to His Word.

Most current church members relate to Jesus Christ's letter to the church in Philadelphia, often considered the best of the seven churches of Asia. Recent church members have gravitated toward believing the Savior is speaking to them through His words to Philadelphia. We must examine if Philadelphia is a truly faithful church, whether she has faults, if every Christian should strive to be Philadelphian, and if spiritual pride could have caused God to tear her apart and scatter her. Jesus Christ alone possesses the key of David, holding the authority to govern the church and to open and shut doors before it, as He is holy and true. The metaphor of the open door likely signifies access to heaven through His sacrifice and position as Mediator, emphasizing His vital role as High Priest rather than the power of spiritual Philadelphians to evangelize. Philadelphia has fine characteristics, keeping God's Word and upholding Christ's name, yet Christ explicitly states that the church has only a little strength. This has been proved true by the apostasy, offense, betrayal, deception, and increasing iniquity during the church's scattering. It is Christ's strength, not the Philadelphians', that empowers the church's faith and accomplishments. Like Smyrna, Philadelphia is beset by those who claim to be spiritual Jews but are not, revealed as wolves in sheep's clothing who led many from the truth of God's Word. Christ promises that these harmful tares will ultimately worship before the feet of the faithful. God will protect those of Philadelphia who patiently cling to His Word from the world's coming hour of trial. Even with faint spiritual strength, a remnant from Philadelphia will faithfully endure to the end. True Philadelphians, despite their little strength, have the doctrinal truth, devotion, obedience, and grace from God to attain salvation if they hold fast and guard the truth He reveals. Association with Philadelphia is not enough to receive its rewards, as Christ admonishes Philadelphians to overcome. A Christian must never rest, but must overcome the world, their nature, and satan, growing to produce godly fruit to please God and maintain a relationship with Him, ensuring entrance to His Kingdom as an absolute promise.

The letter to Philadelphia, as found in Revelation 3, was seen by the Worldwide Church of God as a reflection of their identity, largely due to the mention of an open door in verse 8, often associated with preaching the gospel in a powerful manner. This identification led to significant outcomes, shaping attitudes and behaviors within the organization. Philadelphia stands out as one of only two letters in which Jesus offers no criticism, indicating a favored status by Christ, which naturally fostered a desire to be associated with such commendation. However, this favor brought challenges, as it sometimes led to a sense of invincibility or infallibility among members, diminishing the urgency to align spiritually with God. The promise in verse 10 to be kept from the hour of trial further reinforced the importance of the organization, seen as the entity with the open door, thus elevating its status over personal relationship with God. For many, maintaining good standing within the organization became a higher priority than nurturing a direct connection with Him, resulting in a form of idolatry where the organization's opinions often mattered more than God's will. The reference to the key of David in verse 7, symbolizing government, was interpreted to mean that church government equated to God's government, fostering a belief in near-infallibility of leadership decisions. This perspective reduced personal responsibility to prove all things, emphasizing loyalty to the organization over deepening one's relationship with God. As doctrines shifted, the call to hold fast in verse 11 was often understood as clinging to the organization or its past model, rather than to God Himself, despite scriptural emphasis on holding fast to Him. The identification with Philadelphia also spurred competition and exclusivity among some groups eager to claim this mantle, focusing on showcasing God's favor through an open door to do His work. Ironically, while Philadelphia means brotherly love, those most intent on embodying this letter often struggled to show love to their spiritual brethren. The profound effect of seeing oneself as Philadelphia serves as a caution against self-serving interpretations of Scripture and highlights the danger of allowing God's favor to overshadow the obligation to hold fast to Him above all else.