'Rev 3:7-13

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Letter to Philadelphia (Rev 3:7-13)

Smyrna and Philadelphia are the only churches that receive no blame from the Lord, but only praise and encouragement. Yet Smyrna was poor and Philadelphia was small. Also, both churches received their opposition from the Jews.

He who carries the key of David has the authority to allow people into or shut them out from the city of David, which here is symbolic of the new Jerusalem, the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Rev 3:7; cf. 12).

The Jews claimed they were the people of God’s kingdom and tried to shut the Gentiles out. But, Christ points out, the small group of Christians who form the church of Philadelphia are the true people of God in that city. Christ has opened the door for these Gentile Christians, and no Jew is able to close it. In entering God’s kingdom, Jews must follow the way of these Gentiles, not Gentiles follow the way of the Jews (Rev 3:8-9).

When God judges the ungodly, Christ will protect those who have remained loyal to him. He will reward them at his return (Rev 3:10-11).

Each of the triumphant believers will be like a pillar in God’s temple, secure in his presence for ever.

Through Christ, who has the key to life and death (see Rev 3:7; cf. 1:18), they will belong permanently to God, to the heavenly city and to their Saviour (Rev 3:12-13).