The church in Philadelphia is known for its faithful witness and missionary opportunity. Along with Smyrna, Philadelphia receives a very glowing commendation from Jesus along with some very special promises.
The description that Jesus gives of Himself to this church is “He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” (3:7).
He indicates to the believers that He knows their works (3:8) and due to their works and faithfulness to His name, He will open doors that no one can shut. This is a reference to Isaiah 22:22 where God was promising the key of the house of David, which speaks of the treasury of the Kings of Judah, to a servant named Eliakim, (meaning ‘God raising up’). The reason for this is because the previous administrator of the treasuries was being unfaithful so God replaced him with a man He could trust. Along with this trust came exceptional favour, opportunity and a position in the government which meant that whatever door he opens no one could shut and whatever door he shut no one could open.
This is true of Jesus in His ever-increasing government (Isaiah 9:6-7). Not only does He hold the keys of death and Hades (1:18) but He also holds the keys of the Kingdom and the treasuries of Heaven. Because of the faithfulness of Philadelphia to administer the Kingdom, Jesus is revealing Himself as that key bearer to say, ‘because you remained faithful and because you find your strength in me, I will open doors and favour to you because you did not deny my name’.
Mission and ministry strategy, programs and excellence, both personal and corporate, are all worthwhile endeavours, but the source of our strength, favour and opportunity to be a faithful witness always comes from the One who holds the Key of David, the head of the Church, Christ in us the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). In conjunction, He is Holy and true, (3:7). This highlights to every believer that right believing leads to right living. Christ’s Truth in our lives leads to God’s holiness from our lives. Or put another way, a greater understanding of Him always leads to a great living in me.
Due to the faithfulness of the church in Philadelphia there comes a promise from Jesus to keep them from the hour of trial (3:10). The Greek word used for ‘from’ is best understood as ‘out of’. The Rapture is in view here and from the original hearer’s understanding in Philadephia, the promise of delivery from ‘the trial’ was imminent (3:11). This is not to say that they did not suffer tribulation, every generation of Christianity has, but this was not saved out of man’s wrath or even Satan’s wrath but from God’s (1 Thess 5:9).
More promises were made to the overcomers at Philadelphia. Jesus said He would make them, firm pillars in His temple, living stones in the House of God (Ephesians 2:19-22; 1 Peter 2:5) permanent fixtures in the presence of God. In addition, He would reveal three new names to them, firstly the name of their God (19:12), the name of their new home (3:12) and their new identity in Him (2:17). All prepared before the foundation of the World.
Here’s what we can know from these verses:
- Jesus is Holy and True. Jesus is the source of our holiness. The truth of His life in us is what gives us the power to live the kind of life that He intended us to live. Grace Himself not only removes our past failings, He empowers a Holy future built on His Truth.
- Jesus holds the Keys of the Kingdom. Jesus has asked us to establish the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven but he also is the one who empowers us and the one who prepares the opportunities. He opens doors that no one can shut. He also is the one resourcing that mission with the Key of David and what little strength we have is irrelevant when we depend entirely on Him.
- Jesus saves us from the hour of trial. Jesus promises to take us out of His poured out judgement on the whole world. He loves His bride and will not pour out His wrath on His beloved. Instead, He receives her unto Himself and dwells with Her as permanent structures in His presence and reveals His true identity, her true identity and the city they will live together forever in.
