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6. Jesus Christ’s Message to the Church Leader in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)
REVELATION 3:7-13
7 “To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things: 8 I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name. 9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. 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 out of heaven from my God, and my own new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”’
To the Angel of the Church in Philadelphia Write: After so much failure, sufferings and spiritual deadness, it was now a pleasure for Jesus to turn to a small church for which He had not to address any word of rebuke or call to repentance. “Philadelphia” was the name of the city seated upon the borders of Mysia and Lydia. The Greek name for the city means “brotherly love”, not in the sense of eros or agape love, but compassion, mutual respect and kindness.
The synagogue in this city was angry and greatly agitated because of this Christian church, formed of Jews and Christians of heathen origin, for it alleged that it was the continuation of the history of Old Testament salvation. In the midst of this growing aggravation, Jesus Christ revealed Himself to the church leader and to the members of his church with protective and comforting words:
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: Jesus introduced himself as “He who is holy”, and “He who is true”, and testified that he is the one whom the seraphim worshipped in Isaiah 6:3 saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” Jesus is the One without sin, without lies, the Glorious One that knows the truth of God and fulfills it. The core of His holy glory remains divine love. That is why He summed up his new world system in one command, which is to love one another, as he has loved us (John 13:34). That which arises from this principle of life is called Philadelphia - brotherly love!
For the faithful Greek believers, Jesus called Himself, “He who is true”, not in the Platonic understanding of the truth, but as God’s incarnated and personified truth, the truth of eternal God and His infallible revelation. In Him is no trick or deceit, as the case with the best of all deceivers (Sura Al 'Imran 3:54). Jesus is, therefore, the measure of the universe. With His self-revelation, He reassured and reconfirmed to the church leader that he was, amidst the crushing accusations of the Jewish scholars, on the right course with his faith and witness.
Jesus introduced himself as He who has the key of David. This expression is found in (Isaiah 22:20-22). It testifies that Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, was entrusted with the keys of the king’s entire palace and particularly over the storerooms in Jerusalem. No one could open a door without him, even during times of tribulation, and if he closed a door no one could open it. He was called the father of all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and of Judea.
Jesus broadened this expression, and testified that He had the keys of Hades and of Death (Revelation 1:18). During His life on earth, Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19). Furthermore, He twice gave this same authority to all the apostles as long as they remained firm and steadfast under the leadership of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 18:18; John 20:22-23).
It should have been clear to the Christian members of Jewish extraction in the church of Philadelphia, by Christ’s testimony of himself, that David, through his songs in the Holy Spirit, was opening the door wide for believers of all times to worship God, to practice repentance and confession, to utter cries for mercy, and to attain knowledge of the Son of David, who, at the same time, was the Son of God (2 Samuel 7:12-14; Psalm 2:7-12; 110:1 et al.) The conversion of each Jew to Jesus, the true Son of David, is, therefore, the only true step.
Jesus’ statement that when He opens, no one can shut, and when He shuts, no one can open, has proven its great power in the course of church and missionary history. Christ’s key, His word, is greater than all satanic powers and hindrances. It opens the age of grace to everyone who hears, believes, and acts upon it. An unlimited continuation of this miracle of salvation is promised every nation and every house whenever and wherever the word of Jesus opens hearts. Like in a domino effect, the course of salvation continues on.
The word about shutting has, at the same time, both a comforting as well as a fearful application. Jesus can shut the door to evil, temptations and persecutions in order that the church may grow and increase. But where people intentionally throw Jesus’ key away, break or despise it, the door of grace slowly shuts. That is when hatred and hardheartedness begin manifesting themselves against the Crucified One. The people of Israel continue suffering under their fathers’ curse upon themselves (Matthew 27:25; Acts 5:28). Muslims are collectively bound through the antichristian spirit of Mohammed. Russia suffered 70 years in the prison of Communism, and China is still a fortress of Satan. The Christians in India are only 3% of the population. In Europe and the U.S.A. humanistic syncretism is spreading out.
But thanks be to God, the time of grace has not yet ceased. Christ’s key is being visibly turned in the hearts of Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Communists and humanists. Previously closed areas are opening up. Let us ask Jesus not to shut the door of those areas now open.
I Know Your Works: Jesus testified to the church leader in Philadelphia that he knew him through and through. He knew the course of his life, and He knew his works. The Lord did not bring up this man's past, his plans, his weaknesses or his failures. Instead, He spoke of fruit.
What will remain left over from your life, dear reader? What might Jesus do through you? What will endure even throughout eternity?
Jesus further made clear to the church leader that his works and his success, in actual fact, were not of his own doing, but the work of Jesus Christ. The church minister in Philadelphia was no better than other people. He did not hinder, however, his Lord from working in and through him.
That is why Jesus said to him, “Open your eyes! See! Behold!” We read these commands three times in this message, with each time referring to a special miracle of Jesus Christ. We need to ask for eye ointment that we might see and recognize Jesus’ gracious work and the work of His grace, and not be lead to ascribe it to ourselves or to other people.
After the preacher's eyes, figuratively speaking, had been opened wide to see what had been revealed, Jesus said: “Indeed, I”. Jesus spoke seven times in this letter in the “I” form of the first person as the One who acts, saves, protects and triumphs. Jesus also says to us: “Look at me, I am the solution to your problem. I am the power to your success. I am the hope of your future.” Open your eyes to increasingly recognize Jesus, that you may receive great power for yourself and for your church.
Jesus confirmed to his servant in Philadelphia: See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it: Jesus made clear to the minister that his work, and all of his responsibility, remained a work of the grace of Jesus. This man had already been given a chance, which he had seized and held fast to. Jesus had been the One to push him through the open door that he might not keep standing hesitantly. The minister was obedient and did not doubt. He grew in faith and recognized the footprints of Jesus Christ, who walked before him. He followed Jesus, which brought joy to his Lord, as well as furtherance to the kingdom of God.
With the discovery of the seaway to India in 1497, and the crossing of the Atlantic to the Americas, Jesus opened not just one door, but many. Many missionaries let the unrest of the Holy Spirit fire them, who wants only one thing: “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Jesus opened all five of the continents to His Gospel. No intelligence, no party program, no government or intelligence agency can stop or hinder radio mission, internet preaching, specialized missionary expertise or the witness of native Christian testimony. No enemy or shortsighted friend can shut the doors of worldwide missions, which Jesus opened with great power. Today His word reaches even the sons of Abraham. Some Jews and numerous Muslims come to Jesus. In the lands of Communism, which has proven itself to be empty and hollow, thousands ask about God and about His Spirit. Who recognizes the open doors today? Who is it that goes through them without hesitation?
You Have a Little Strength, Have Kept My Word, and Have not Denied My Name: We do not know whether the reference to “little strength” referred to muscles, diplomas, money, beauty, voice, or good reputation. The church leader may have had few spiritual gifts, so that only few followed him. Perhaps he had no connections and consequently, no influence on his society.
Apart from Jesus he had nothing, yet he heard him and lived from His word. The word of the Lord, however, is spiritual dynamite, as Paul said: “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for every one who believes” (Romans 1:16). This Gospel contains the authority of Christ: His creative power, His healing love, His authority to forgive sins, His comforting word of God and His renewing power. Whoever believes in the word of the Lord and keeps it has received in himself the very life of God and His Son.
Jesus testified to His servant that he not only read his word, meditated over it, and gave it to others, but that he also kept it. He took it to heart. The word did not just remain a theological thought with him, but became the driving force and wisdom of his life. Memorizing Scripture is good, but acting on the word of God is better. Together they multiply the blessing of Jesus. We need to take time to think upon the words of Christ, to write them out, to let them move us, and to talk of them to others, so that all the riches of Jesus Christ may be poured out into our churches. To set Bible verses to music and to sing them means to multiply the word of the Lord.
Jesus testified to the unpretentious watchman of the church that he was holding fast to His name, defending it, and not denying it. The name Jesus appears 975 times in the Greek New Testament. His title, “Christ”, is attested to 569 times, and His authority, “Lord”, is mentioned 260 times.
Orthodox Jews in Philadelphia were probably resisting the testimony of Christ's witnesses, who were saying that Jesus is the Lord and the Messiah. This testimony rang in their ears as blasphemy and amounted to an attack against the long history of their people, their religion, and their dignity. Yet the church leader relied upon the reports of eyewitnesses, and testified of Jesus’ words, His love and holiness, power and greatness. He loved Jesus and believed in His resurrection, in His ascension to heaven, and in His office as High Priest for all of His followers before the throne of God. He experienced the forgiveness of His sins and lived in the power of the Holy Spirit. He did not just experience Jesus by hearsay, but lived with Him and praised Him. For the sake of the name of Jesus he was attacked, hated, denied, cut up and cast aside. He endured all of that because he loved Jesus.
This is the fundamental question regarding our testimony and our conscience: How much do we love Jesus? How often do we think of Him? How much time do we take to read His love messages to mankind, to dwell over them, and to carry them eagerly to others? How thoroughly do we keep His holy word and defend His name? He who forgets, denies or rejects Jesus condemns himself. Jesus is our life, peace and strength. Without him we can do nothing.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, we rejoice with You because you were pleased with one of the seven ministers as You set before him an open door for service and he entered in spite of his little strength. He grew in it, kept Your word, and concluded from it the heavenly power, confessing Your name and Your titles publicly and touched Your enemies with it. Help us to serve you sincerely and to confess the power of Your love. Then, no one can shut the open door set before us.
QUESTION:
- What are reasons for the success of the pastor of the church in Philadelphia?