Note: I used many sources to study this book, one of my favorites is Revelation: God’s Word for the Biblically-Inept by Daymond Duck and some out of different study bibles.
Title: Revelation: The church of Philadelphia
Ephesus-Apostolic Age to 100 AD Church of the departed love
Smyrna-Martyrdom Age 100 to 314 AD Church of fiery persecution
Pergamos-World Alliance 314 to 590 AD Church of world alliance
Thyatira-Dark Ages 590 to 1000 AD Church of Rome
Sardis- 1517-1800 AD Church of the Spiritually Dead
Revelation 3
7. And to the angel (messenger) 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;
Characteristics of Jesus
1. he that is holy
2. he that is true
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
3. he that hath the key of David
Eliakim was the key holder to David’s palace. He had the rights to all rooms and what he opened stay open and what he close stayed closed by the authority of the king. Is 22:20-25
David was the ultimate king. As being the king of Israel and Israel being God's chosen nation the David could be king of all. Jesus is the ruler of all.
a. he that openeth and no man shutteth
b. and shutteth and no man openeth
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
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.
1. I know thy works
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
2. behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it
What could this open door be? Maybe an open door to understanding his word. Maybe an open door to witnessing. Maybe an open door of opportunity to work for the Lord. What could it be?
Russia tried to close the door to the church but during the time the church grew and the doors were reopened. China is trying to close the door to the church but again the church is growing, underground, and I believe that one day that door will have to open.
3. For thou hast little strength (power)
Jesus loves people like this. Maybe small. May seem to be weak but they are strong in the Lord.
4. And has kept my word.
Here is the most important phrase of all. What were they known for? Keeping the word of God. Holding fast to its inspiration and obeying its commands.
5. And has not denied my name
To stand firm on the name of Christ.
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.
synagogue of Satan. We have read this earlier. These are those who called themselves Jews but did not follow God. I guess a hypocrite.
They were as the anti-Christ. 1 John 2:18 tells us that there will be many anti-Christ’s to come.
1 John 3:10 tells how to tell the difference between the children of God and the children of the devil.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. (1 John 3:10 AV)
Romans 9:6. Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel:
6. I will make them 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.
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
1Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. (Revelation 17:12 AV) hour of trial
This time as referred to in scripture has certain characteristics.
See Full Life Study Bible
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
This is not on a time of day or week but more or less fast. Such as we have read in a twinkling of an eye. Matthew 24:27,1 Cor 15:52
So we must hold fast to our reward.
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. (2 John 1:8 AV)
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.
Him that overcometh
1. make a pillar in the temple of God
A permanent fixture in God's kingdom. A permanent piece of the main structure, strong, stable and durable
2. never again leave it. Jesus will stay with His followers forever
3. write upon him
a. the name (seal) of my God,
Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 AV)
In Revelation 7 and 9 we read about the seal of those who go through the great tribulation. The judgments cannot touch them.
b. and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: the name of His eternal home
c. and I will write upon him my new name. The sign of a new relationship with Christ
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
4. stay in fellowship with God.
