Rev 3:7 “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.”
Philadelphia was a city founded by the Pergamon kingdom in
189 BC where the king loved his brother most because of his loyalty and named
the city as “city of the one who loves his brother”. In AD 17 the city suffered
a very big earthquake and the then roman king exempted them from paying taxes.
Also the vineyards in the city were great and could be compared with those in
Rome. So, the roman emperor Domitian wanted Rome to be the best and removed
those vineyards here causing them to suffer economically. This made them feel
lost. Also the church speaks about the problems in the Synagogue where the false
Jews prevented Christians from entering. They felt totally lost.
In this context Jesus introduces Himself as the Holy one who
does not belong to any human attitudes and the true and faithful one who keeps
His word. This introduction is very important to such a church to be built up.
Holy means separated here. The words assure the church that you can trust me
and I will be beside you. I am true and do not work like the world does.
The key of David shows the government (Isaiah 22:22 and
Isaiah 9:6), where all the political decisions and resources are in a person’s
shoulders meaning he will have to carry. Here the Lord says that, I have the
authority and so, you shall not worry and I will honor you. The Lord wants us
to know that He is the one who opens doors and closes them. If we are denied
opportunities anywhere, He will open doors for you. Also, the key of David shows
the understanding or relationship of God where people loved and sought Him.
This understanding only opens and closes opportunities for us.
Philadelphia is a model where many churches in the world
tend to copy and many name themselves so. This is because the Lord actually
appreciated the church. He had nothing against Smyrna but there was no
appreciation either. It looked like that church was destined to suffer in the
world. But this church was appreciated really well and the Lord is so happy
that he honors the church in front of those who bring disgrace to you. The Lord
also continues to mention that you can escape trials which will be hard for
most to endure. This means you have already won this. Also, the Lord mentions
that you already are crowned and do not lose it. To all the other churches, the
Lord would say I know you works or situation and you are like this. But the
Lord starts here with I know your works, I bless you with an open door through which
you can progress forward.
The Lord mentions here that your power is little here. The Greek
word for power here can be compared with miracles and ability. The church did
not have that great power with signs and wonders. The church was not popular
because there were lies of the false Jews. These signs can never make a church
great in the Lord’s eyes. There were very less miracles in the church. There
was only one obedience in the church. They kept the Lord’s word about
perseverance (Verses 8, 10). This one quality honored the church. The Lord says
that if you had not suffered well, you would have denied my name. But you did not.
I am very happy for you. This suffering not because we look at a great future
but because we obey the Lord. If I disobey Him and not patiently endure, I
would deny His Name. His name depends on my obedience and not my strength and
power.
The Lord says that those who dwell in the earth will be
tried but those who patiently endure will not. This means that perseverance
makes us not dwell in the world.
The Lord makes such people pillars in His temple so that
they would be the strength of it. They cannot be removed at all. He will have
the name of the Lord written on Him.
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