THE CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA REVELATION 3: 7 - 13 PART 2 of 3

THE CHURCH OF THE OPEN DOOR

REVELATION 3: 7 - 13

PART 2 of 3

   7) And to the angel 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;

   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.

   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.

   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.

   11) Behold, I come quickly:  hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

   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.

   13) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
(King James Version, public domain)

COMMENTARY

    We have  past the reformation period in church history, and embarked on the revival period.  Please note, that the "letters" may have been delivered to the churches, but churches are comprised of individuals.  Take each of these letters and examine your own heart.  Be bold in making changes to self as God shows you areas that could be improved; but also, rejoice in those areas that you have nailed it, ever praising Him for His mercy!

   The church of Philadelphia loved as brethren of Christ, as The Holy Spirit had given them.  They called sinners to repent and saints to awaken to their privileges in Christ.  They were aroused to a deeper sense of the value of His Word, and its all-sufficiency for their guidance.

   They separated themselves from evil in life and error in doctrine, thus He said, "These things saith He that is holy, He that is true."  Sound doctrine always generated Godly practice.

   "The key of David" is referenced back to Eliakim in Isaiah:  "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open." (Isaiah 22: 22  KJV)  (see also, Isaiah 9: 6,7)   We have seen where Jesus now has the keys to hell and death, and here, He says He has the key to the kingdom of the earth as well.  So, He has full prerogative to open or shut any door He chooses.  But there's more:  the key is also the key to the treasure-house!  He dispenses knowledge, wisdom, and so much more to His children!  He opens doors to witness and spread The Gospel!  We were #bornforgreatness!  What a privilege to be entrusted to labor for my Lord!

   Keep in mind, that Christ also IS the Key.  He opens up understanding and the divine Truth of His Word.  In understanding The Bible, all you need is The Holy Spirit.

   Important characteristics of Philadelphia:  His Word is kept; His Name is confessed; His will is obeyed.

  They had "a little strength", which refers to true believers not depending on their own strength, but leaning on The Lord to carry them through whatever task He had for them.  He will not give us something to do and not provide the means to accomplish His goal.

   (10) As children of the Living God, we are promised that when we keep His Word, and confess His Name and obey His will, we will not be left upon this earth when the hour of temptation arrives!

   (11) The believers at Philadelphia were secured in salvation but were warned to let no man take their crown.   There are said to be 5 Heavenly Crowns:  the Crown of Life, the Incorruptible Crown, The Crown of Righteousness, the Crown of Glory, and the Crown of Exultation.  We will surely learn more about the crowns as we continue our study of the Book of Revelation.

   12) This verse speaks to the believer of stability, security, of fellowship, and of intimacy with the Lord, Himself.  It doesn't get any better than this!

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