Revelation 3:7-13
To the Church in Philadelphia
“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
As we go into these next sections of verses about the church in Philadelphia or the church of Brotherly Love, we see Jesus being called by something interesting “the true one, who has the key of David” which we see something very similar in the book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 22:22 ~ And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
The reference being the key holder is one in which God has given over authority to do what must be done. In Isaiah it was Eliakim but here in Revelation it is Jesus.
We do not want to be mistaken though to think that Eliakim is in any way equal to Jesus because of this authority granted to him because he isn't. He is just someone God gave a far more limited amount of authority to for a purpose. Jesus' authority here is on a much bigger scale than Eliakim in every way imaginable.
The authority given to both by God has the power of God behind it in that the will of God is being done through both and is such that no man can reverse it or hinder it in any way.
8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
Jesus mentions here that He has set before them an open door, so what is that open door? Most would say an opportunity to serve Christ in the building of the kingdom. This to me fits well when we think about the other two churches in chapter three who one is in slumber or not awake and the other is lukewarm or not hot for Christ in what they do. Neither of these two churches are doing anything to build the kingdom of Christ, neither is sharing the gospel. But right in between these two churches is Philadelphia.
As we look at chapter three self reflection as a church is needed, which are we as a local church? What can we do to correct where we are at and do better?
The indication I feel in both the churches in Sardis and Laodicea is one of a question of if these churches are truly saved or not. I think that at minimal it is a fair question. Maybe some are saved but most are not which would not be uncommon in many churches today.
I say this because when a church gets overrun with people who think they are believers but are not, the not saved will continually try to put out the flames of those who are truly saved and are working hard to build the kingdom of Christ. And its not only people within the congregation but in many cases it can be the pastor himself. I have been to more than one church over the years in which the pastor had no interest in going out and creating disciples and building the Kingdom and they would squash attempts of people in the congregation to do it.
This is where para churches come in, it is when individuals seeking to build the kingdom of Christ have no choice but to go out in spite of the churches attempt to squelch a ministry that the church should be backing in some way not hindering.
The second part of verse eight shows that even a small church who wants to do great things for the kingdom will be seen by Christ and Christ will make a way for those great things to happen.
9 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you.
It seems even the Jews had this same issue with false converts overwhelming the synagogues as the churches have had. Assessment of those who believe they are Christians is always a must especially in the church. They will shout “stop judging me” but that can be the first indication they are not Christians at all possibly. A young Christian in the faith wants to grow in Christ and craves it and if they don't well that's not an encouraging sign.
10 Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth.
Patient endurance, patience is a huge work in progress for me. I think that seeing God work so much in my life and in my service to Christ my expectation is always why are you taking so long. It's a struggle for sure but I think the key is the endurance part, do not give up even if you are impatient.
Being kept from the hour of trial shouldn't necessarily lead us to believe in a certain point in the rapture but rather I feel it is more of being kept from the judgment that will come to unbelievers. True believers who are “awake” and not “lukewarm” will be kept from the judgment of hell.
11 I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. 12 The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’
Speaking about having patience “coming soon” has lead many to believe in part that we are in the end times. We know that Jesus said that no one knows the time. I see too many Christians and churches get so hung up on this that it has kept them from going out and sharing the gospel because there is rarely anything else taught otherwise.
We are secured a place in heaven for our endurance and we see this in many places in scripture. We must understand though that this endurance comes from the Holy Spirit and not from us which is why it is assured, we cannot fail if the Holy Spirit is guiding us, directing us and moving us constantly towards Christ. We are not in any way more powerful than the Holy Spirit to win any battle towards that goal. If you believe that losing your salvation is biblical that would mean it is based on your power not the Holy Spirits and if that is the case no one will endure.
