“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” : “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those whole dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. Revelation 3:7-11
The Faithful Church: Located on a hillside about 30 miles SE of Sardis, the city was founded by a king of Pergamos around 190B.C. His unusual devotion to his brother earned the city its name “brotherly love.” So with the name “Philadelphia” meaning the city of “brotherly love,” Jesus had a special love for these people. Weak as they were, they were given an open door of service; and the Lord urged them to take advantage of it. When God opens a door for you, no one can shut it, but you can ignore or neglect it. So it was the 6th of 7 churches that Jesus had given these special instructions to.
Holy and True—Says He who is holy and true; This definitive description of the character of Jesus can be a comfort to us; Jesus is sharing the nature of His Father, holy, sinless, the pure nature of His character and love towards His people. The fact that He is absolutely pure and separate from sin, “True,” in a sense that He is both One who speaks truth, and is genuine and authentic as opposed to all the false deities during that time is why, He can be trusted. So Jesus is our standard. From the O.T. (Leviticus 19:2), to the N.T. writings of the apostle Peter, were reminded: but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Holiness essentially defines the Christian’s new nature and conduct in contrast to their old nature that was condemned in judgment. I know your works—Jesus see’s the faithful work of Christians serving Him in this world. He see’s what sacrifice’s are being made, and what their cost is persevering under heavy persecution while giving out the gospel. And it is exciting to know that He opens for us a door of ministry. He sees what little strength we have, and yet we have an open door, or opportunity to serve Him in ministry.
So the picture here from the Lord to the church in Philadelphia is that “He who holds the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens,” is that He has sovereign authority to control the entrance into the kingdom of His Father. Jesus is using the reference Isaiah the prophet wrote: I will clothe Him with a robe and strengthen Him with your belt; I will commit your responsibility into His hand. He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. The key of the house of David I will lay on His shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And He shall shut, and no one shall open. (Isaiah 22:21-22) And Jesus is laying claim to that prophecy.
Never forget that it’s not your job to add to the church. That’s His job. If you are involved any type of ministry that is presenting the gospel, no matter what kind of help it is, you will be rewarded. Our work is to feed the flock, tend to the flock, love the flock, and for some, to see that they are properly looked out for. This is especially true who attend a smaller church. It is Jesus who said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: you’ve been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21). The Lord’s not going to make you ruler over many until you’ve been faithful with a few. So we can come away with the idea from our text: Be faithful, be patient, wait on the Lord to open His doors of opportunity for you, then simply by faith enter in and do the work the Lord has called you to do. Minister to them diligently. As you’re faithful and as you prove yourself a faithful steward, the Lord will bring more people to watch over, to care for, and minister. So be faithful to those God has place under your tutelage.
You have little strength, have kept My word, and not denied My name—The Lord is not looking for super-saints, we are not very strong, yet it’s through these weak vessels God can demonstrate His power in those who keep His word and do not deny His name. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9). When the church is what God intends it to be, when the church is doing what God wants it to do, then the Lord will do what He wants to do for the church. And He will add daily to the church those who will be saved. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
There will be a day that will come that the Jew will recognize that Jesus is their Messiah. That is a work that God is going to do in bringing the knowledge to these people. I believe until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled they will not be able to see Him (Luke 21:24).
Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those on the earth—Christ’s description —an event still future that for a short time severely tests the whole world is referring to the time of tribulation, the 7 year period before Christ’s earthly kingdom is consummated, featuring the unleashing of divine wrath in judgments expressed as seals, trumpets, and bowls. This period of time can be read about in Revelation chaps. 6-19. The latter half is called the “Great Tribulation.” (Revelation 7:14, Matthew 24:21) So, the promise of being kept from the Great Tribulation, because we have kept the word of His patience, and have not denied His name is revealed here. It is also a reflection of God’s great love for us.
Beloved friend, The church in Philadelphia, is one of seven churches who after starting out strong and spiritual healthy in the mid-60s A.D. when Paul last ministered in Asia Minor, started to feel the effects of persecution. To those churches, Revelation provided a message of hope: God is in sovereign control of all the events of human history, and though evil often seems pervasive and wicked men all powerful, their ultimate doom in judgment is certain. Christ will come in glory to judge and rule. So how can we be effective in serving our Lord today? Live for the kingdom of God. Let us seek to bring glory to Jesus Christ and let the Lord use you. It is my constant daily prayer, that God would keep me usable. Paul desired the same thing. He wrote to the Corinthians, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (I Corinthians 9:27)
May the Lord bless your walk with Him today.
