Revelation 3:7-13 — Philadelphia

A few things to note about this church: it not only represents an actual church in history but also symbolically the faithful church in the last days, and every faithful church that has ever existed. Some believe each of these churches represents a time period for the church; others believe each represents a type of church, all existing at once throughout history (this view makes the seven letters applicable here and now). I tend to understand these in both ways. The church-time-period view only makes sense to the church living in the last days, who can see in hindsight; the second view is most likely how the church has always read these letters.¶

The name Philadelphia means "brotherly love" — so fitting for this church, as we will see.¶

"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.

Revelation 3:7 (ESV)¶

The holy and true head of the house¶

Jesus introduces himself as the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David — the holy and true head over the household, the true and holy church of God, protecting and standing for them. Just as in some of Paul's epistles we see Jews coming in to confuse believers, draw them back under the law, and lay burdens on them, the Christians in Philadelphia were dealing with the same thing.¶

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.

Revelation 3:9 (ESV)¶

Jesus is lovingly and definitively reminding these Christians who is in charge, who has the true and holy authority over them — and it is not those who called themselves Jews. They may once have been entrusted with the holy things, but no longer. "Who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut" references a prophecy about one head of the house being removed and replaced with a better one (Isaiah 22:22). In context (Isaiah 22:15-23), Shebna was over the household but failed, so God said he would tear him down and replace him with someone better — Eliakim ("God raises up"). Just as Eliakim was raised to be head over the house, Jesus shows these believers that he is the holy and true head over the master's house.¶

An open door no one can shut¶

"'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.

Revelation 3:8 (ESV)¶

With the authority he received from the Father, he has opened the door for salvation that no one can shut, and opened access to his Spirit that no one can shut. No one can tell them they may not enter; no one can close the door by laying extra burdens on them. They may enter freely, as can everyone in the world — there are no dietary restrictions or holy days they must keep. When Jesus said "It is finished" on the cross, he meant it. He has made a way where there was no way. In fact, he is that door (John 14:6).¶

They "have kept my word and have not denied my name." Though this church has little power to control their situation — little strength against those who oppose them — they have kept his word and not denied his name. There is nothing more precious in this world than the name of Jesus. In this life we will often find ourselves with little power to control our circumstances; even now we see wickedness and recognize how little power we have to change it. But "behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut." Nothing can shut the door to our salvation; it is open and will remain open until the day Jesus takes his bride home. And he has opened access to the very throne room of God — in Christ we have direct, uninhibited access to the Father.¶

Kept from the hour of trial¶

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.

Revelation 3:10 (ESV)¶

In this life we will have many and various trials, tribulation and distress; some believers are even now going through tribulations we cannot imagine, and we should pray for them to patiently endure. But all the trials believers face in this world are nothing compared to the hour of trial Christ talks about here — the trial God is about to pour out on the earth (Revelation 14:7). My eschatological perspective is that Jesus is going to remove his church before this trial comes on the world. Many do not hold this perspective, and that is fine — I simply look at God's historical behavior and see that he has always taken out his faithful ones whenever he is about to pour down wrath and judgment. Regardless of where you land, we know this for sure: these believers are patiently enduring as they wait for their Savior, which is exactly what Christ desires us to do. Keep his word, do not deny his name, patiently endure, and lift up your eyes on high (Isaiah 40:26-31).¶

Hold fast — and love one another¶

I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.

Revelation 3:11 (ESV)¶

What do they have? We know they have his word and his name. What else? Remember what Philadelphia means. This passage is often applied to marriage, which is good, but it has a more direct meaning:¶

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!... And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)¶

And Jesus says directly: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). They have love for one another! The most dangerous place for a believer is isolation (Proverbs 18:1). When life gets hard — pain, loss, persecution, tribulation — it is better to be with the body than apart. Jesus desires us to be one with him and with each other. To the church in the last days he says: I am the head of the church; I am in control; I will soon make your enemies bow at your feet; keep my word; do not deny my name; patiently endure; love each other; I am coming soon!¶

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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Revelation 3:12-13 (ESV)¶