The church in Philadelphia
Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Philadelphia, means brotherly love. Jesus speaks to them as he that is holy, true, and having the key of David. As the Son of God, Jesus is holy and true, the light of truth. He was the son of man, after king David. David could not save anyone, but Jesus has the power to change and to save people. He has dominion over heaven and earth.
Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Only Jesus can give this power to his disciples.
Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
He has absolute power over life and death.
Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
They were commended for keeping his word, and not denying his name. Jesus is the door to God, they have access, but they have little strength. They had little strength, but the Holy Spirit would give them what was needed. An open door refers to opportunities in ministry.
2 Cor 2:12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord.
1 Cor 16:8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost.
1 Cor 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
We will have open doors for ministry. Prepare now and walk through the doors that open to you.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
They were persecuted by the Jewish community who were actually serving satan. Thesewere not spiritual Jews. God would avenge them by having Jews bow to them, recognizing Jesus as Lord.
1 Cor 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1 Cor 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
People are saved by God through the spoken word believed.
Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
They are kept from the hour of temptation or tribulation, to try the unbelievers on earth. Perhaps they would be raptured before the tribulation?
Rom 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Rom 2:6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Rom 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Rom 2:8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
Rom 2:9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Rom 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Rom 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Behold, he will come unexpectedly: hold fast to what you have. They have love, faithfulness to God, evangelistic opportunities and reliance on God's Spirit. They will receive a crown of victory, let no man take this from you. Do not receive unbelief.
Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
The ancient city of Philadelphia suffered from frequent earthquakes.When a building collapsed in an earthquake often all that remained were the huge pillars. Jesus offers us this same strength, to remain standing in Him when everything around us crumbles.(Guzik)
A pillar must be built on a strong foundation.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
We will receive new names and titles from our Lord. Jesus gave names to his disciples describing their character.
Mark 3:17 And James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder:
Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
1 Pet 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
1 Pet 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Keep standing in faith and walk through the doors of opportunity as they are opened to you. Our strength is His strength. He has called you for His purpose and he has a new name for you. Philadelphia, the church that God spoke well of.
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