Revelation 1 

 

The Message to the Church in Philadelphia

7 “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open: 8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me. 9 Look, I will force those who belong to Satan’s synagogue—those liars who say they are Jews but are not—to come and bow down at your feet. They will acknowledge that you are the ones I love. 10 “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. 11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. 12 All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. 13 “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”  Revelation 3:7-13 NLT

 

Philadelphia was located in Asia Minor, in modern-day Turkey. It was a strategic city positioned as a gateway for spreading Greek culture eastward. The region was also prone to earthquakes, including the devastating earthquake of AD 17.

 

7a “This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David.” Revelation 3:7a NLT

 

JESUS IDENTIFIES HIMSELF AS “THE ONE WHO IS HOLY AND TRUE”

• He is holy — completely set apart and without sin.

• He is true — completely trustworthy.

 

JESUS ALONE OPENS HEAVEN’S DOOR TO EVERYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM, GIVING FREE ACCESS TO GOD.

7b “ What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open:” Revelation 3:7b NLT

 

Paul repeatedly uses the language of an open door to describe opportunities for ministry and spreading the Gospel. 

 

Jesus knows all things.

8 “I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.” Revelation 3:8 NLT

 

Paul’s struggle and prayer

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT

• Jesus is not looking for the strongest church; He is looking for a faithful church.

 

JESUS MEASURES SUCCESS DIFFERENTLY THAN THE WORLD DOES.

Jesus commends them because:

• They obeyed His Word.

• They refused to deny His name.

• They endured opposition.

• They remained faithful.

 

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE DOORS, WE CANNOT OPEN OURSELVES.

• We cannot manufacture spiritual transformation.

• We cannot force people to come to Christ.

• We cannot manufacture revival.

• But Jesus can open doors that no human being can shut.

 

11 “I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.”  Revelation 3:11 NLT

 

9 “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9 NLT

 

Jesus can do extraordinary things through a church with “little strength” that is completely surrendered to Him.