Revelation 3:7 - 13

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,

‘These things says 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”: 8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. 9 Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. 11 Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. 12 He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out 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 I will write on him My new name.

13 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’

John again is told to write to the angel of the church, the one who has the responsibility of delivering the accurate message to the congregation.

To each church he has given a different description of Himself, Christ, we get to see the varying aspects of our Savior, He is holy, he is true. He is the only one who lived on earth who never gave in to temptation. He is of the Father and we know the Father is of truth. (1 John 5:20)

“Key of David” Christ is noted as having been predicted for Him to have this authority because He noted as being the most noted descendant of the King David.

The descriptions we have of Christ and the authority given Him by God the Father gives us the reason to believe that whatever Christ rules is of the supreme power, if He rules something is open and useful for His followers then it cannot be taken away by anyone else. If He rules something is closed and wrong for His followers then it cannot be given for them to use by anyone else. He also gave this authority to His apostles, (Matthew 16:19, 18:18)

As He has said for each congregation,”I know thy works,” He has an intimate knowledge of what is going on in each of His congregations. In this instance it is words of approval because there is no condemnation or criticism for their actions at Philadelphia.

He approves of the actions of this congregation and assures they will be able to continue their work. It is not because of their strength, but because of their faith in Him and their works and their continued support of His name.

The Jews who are persecuting the church are referred to as being of the Synagogue of Satan because they are not doing God's work or will. The word “worship” comes from 12 different Greek words in the New Testament. In this case it means the Jews will have to admire and respect the work of this congregation because of the love that Christ has for them.

Because the Christians at Philadelphia had endured the persecutions which were aimed at them, Christ promises them relief from persecution, whether this be from the Roman government or from the world in general is not known.

Christ again promises a return at an unknown time, and all Christians need to persevere and be ready for His return so that their Crown is not surrendered because of their errors or lack of faith.

Those who do overcome and are faithful unto death are rewarded with a permanent place in the holy city. They are marked with a citizenship of that new Jerusalem. (Philippians 3:20)

As with all of the letters to the congregations we are admonished to listen and heed these messages because they apply to us as well.