Welcome to Hank’s Place
Today we’ll begin looking at the church of Philadelphia, found in Rev 3:3-13.
To Philadelphia Jesus talks about doors and keys. About deeds, keeping His word, the synagogue of Satan, and the word of His perseverance, the hour of testing, holding fast. And there are rewards – being made a pillar in God’s house, and oddly, Jesus expressing His penmanship by writing names of His God, the city of His God and His new name – on US!
A little history: in that region there was a huge earthquake in AD17. Philadelphia experienced hundreds of aftershocks for several years. A shaking city. Keep that in mind.
Jesus begins by calling Himself the holy and the true. Likely because He’s addressing a Jewish church, saying “I am the holy and true revelation of the holy and true God.” A familiar expression. Remember John 6:69 when the disciples said to Jesus “you are the holy one of God.”
Now, the expression, “the key of David.” It’s another familiar Old Testament reference. It referred to a key that unlocked the door of King Hezekiah’s palace, possessed by a faithful servant. The servant decided who got to see the King – and who didn’t. The servant opened or shut doors no one else could.
Religious people have always tried to control access into the kingdom of heaven, but here Jesus declares He is the holder of David’s key and He decides who gets to come in. In Philadelphia the religious Jews hindered the gospel. Jesus reminds the Christians He is the one who opens the door of faith to the Gentiles. That’s Acts 14:27. Encouraging words in a difficult place.
The Philadelphia church was the smallest church in man’s eyes. Like David the shepherd boy. But little Philadelphia is the center of where the action was. They kept His word. They believed Jesus and took Him at His word. They were ‘believing believers.’ They were persuaded that the Lord is good and trustworthy. All the other churches struggled in the areas of unbelief, but not Philadelphia. They had not denied His name.
Friend, today, I invite you to do the same. Be a BELIEVING believer — ask Jesus to open a door of faith to those around you – You and Jesus, Jesus and you – helping others — COME ALIVE!
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