Read with Me
Revelation 3:7-13 (HCSB)
“Write to the angel of the church in Philadelphia:
“The Holy One, the True One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and closes and no one opens says: I know your works. Because you have limited strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name, look, I have placed before you an open door that no one is able to close. Take note! I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—note this—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come over the whole world to test those who live on the earth. I am coming quickly. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown. The victor: I will make him a pillar in the sanctuary of My God, and he will never go out again. 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 out of heaven from My God—and My new name.
“Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Listen with Me
Philadelphia is one of only two Churches addressed in these notes from the risen and exalted Lord who received no condemnation, only praise. The other is Smyrna (2:8-11). The city of Philadelphia lay at the foot of a hill in an area that was plagued by earthquakes, with one in AD 14 causing extensive damage to the city and the temples in it. The title the risen Jesus uses at the start of this note is the One who is holy and true and who has the key of David. The words holy and true are not synonyms but supporting terms. Because Jesus is holy, morally perfect in every way, He is true, always keeping His promises, whether those given in the gospel, or those included in this note. He is incapable of lying, or of even “spinning” the truth. What He says can be trusted absolutely.
Jesus himself explains what he means by holding the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. This speaks to God’s sovereignty exercised through Jesus. No one can successfully fight against God’s overall plan of salvation, although many have tried over the centuries.
This identity ties in closely with Jesus’ opening promise to the Church. He has placed an open door before them, a door that leads into His presence and power. And since He has opened that door, no earthly force, no persecution, no tragedy or poverty can shut it or cut them off from God’s purpose for them.
Even though the Church in Philadelphia was small, much smaller than the Jewish community in the city which frequently opposed them, the Christians had not denied Jesus or turned away from whole hearted devotion to Him. As a result, Jesus promises that He Himself will be working to not only help the Christians to stand strong, but to prevail, to be so powerfully present in the Church and all it does that the Jewish community will ultimately have to recognize that God is working in their midst.
Another promise that Jesus makes is that He will shield the Philadelphian Christians from the persecution that is even then breaking out across the empire. They did not need to be tested because they had already shown themselves to be solid in their devotion to God.
Jesus’ promise to come soon was not talking about His return from Heaven. It is a promise that He will manifest His presence in the Philadelphian Church and will fulfill everything He has promised. In the meantime, He urges His followers to stay true to Him, and to look for their deliverance.
The promises made to those who overcome by being faithful are amazing. He promises to make them permanent and immovable pillars in the temple of God, the Church in the world. Unlike the earthly temples to the pagan gods that were repeatedly destroyed by the earthquakes in the area, those living pillars would be strengthened to stand firm forever.
Next, Jesus promises to write three names on each faithful believer. First is the divine name of God. This is a mark of divine ownership of them, individually and collectively. They are God’s people, and He is their God. This is followed by the name of the New Jerusalem that is coming down from heaven from God. This refers to the final vision given in this letter (21:1-22:5). And finally, Jesus will write His own new name on them. No longer is He merely the Messiah. He is the eternal King of kings and Lord of lords, the Master of all creation. And by placing His name on each of his followers, He claims them as His own, and destines them to inherit all He possesses (Romans 8:17).
Pray with Me
Father, these are wonderful promises. They cannot be claimed by the half-hearted or the timid. They are given only to those willing to stand strong in You and to persevere through the hard times. When we waver, all we can see are closed doors, foiled plans, and failed dreams. When we are bold in the face of opposition, loving in the face of persecution, and strong in the face of challenges, You open a door into Your presence, Your power, and endless possibilities we could never have imagined. Help me, Lord, to stay true to You in every situation, so that I can pass through that open door and live in Your power every day. Amen.