LESSONS FROM HIS LETTERS (Part 6 - Philadelphia)

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (Revelation 3:7-13)

        The letter from Christ to the believers in Philadelphia is a correspondence that stands out among all the other letters. God is holy or set apart from all other beings and this letter seems to take on that characteristic especially with Jesus including the title of "holy" in the introduction of Himself - "These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David."

        God emphasizes these points of being holy and true by revealing He is the one "who holds the key of David", opens doors that no one can shut and shuts doors no one can open. In other words, He is the one with supreme authority and providence in all matters. 

        The phrase "who holds the key of David" refers to the authority Christ has over David's domain of Israel and Jerusalem, which was promised to the Messiah in Isaiah 9:7 and Luke 1:32. Today we view authority like this manifested by the presentation of a large key to a mayor or governor of a city or state.

        Christ's statement about Himself, "What He opens no one can shut and what He shuts no one can open." - portrays total control or sovereignty. Having the special key that distinguishes Him as the Anointed One and then stating His capability and finality on the opportunities He gives believers are descriptions Jesus does not want Christians to miss about Himself. Earlier in Scripture James mentions this theme - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." (James 1:17)

        Here in this letter to the church in Philadelphia we find Christ acknowledging their deeds just as He has done in four other letters. The words Christ says immediately following - "I know your deeds." - implies the deeds were pleasing to Him because He rewards the Philadelphia church with - an open door opportunity, enemies confessing God's love for that church and saving from a terrible future time of testing on the earth.

"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth."

        The specific praises Jesus gives these believers is mixed with the only negative in the whole letter, they "have little strength". Otherwise, Jesus commends them for keeping His word, not denying His name and enduring patiently. And some kind of open door of opportunity has been provided for this church because of who He is to them and how this church has served Christ - See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.

        The promise of Jesus - "I am coming soon." - was followed by a challenge to "Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown." and a couple thousand additional years. However, all need to remember Psalm 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 - "A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by or like a watch in the night." (Psalm 90:4) and "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9).

        Does the message of holding on sound familiar? It should. The previous letter to Thyatira included the challenge "to hold on to what you have until I come." Should the individual Christian, church and/or church era identify with this letter to Philadelphia by holding on to what you have, especially that which has been given from God, then the victorious are - 

• made a pillar in the temple of God
• have the name of God written on them
• have the name of New Jerusalem written on them
• have Christ's new name written on them.

        Philadelphia, known as the City of Brotherly Love, had a lot going in their favor according to this letter. Of all the letters written to the churches, I would have wanted this one. The only lack or weakness was Philadelphia's strength which was noticed one more time as the Lord challenged the believers to "Hold on to what you have,". Even moreso, their reward, not their salvation, could be at stake - "so that no one will take your crown." Holding on, especially like this, calls for strength, God's strength. This Christian, this church, this dispensation needs to focus on seeking God's strength. Remember His words - 

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)