• “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy [ἅγιος hagios – sacred, holy, set apart; cf. 1 Pet. 1:15], who is true [ἀληθινός alethinos – true, genuine – in contrast to the many false gods people worshipped], who has the key of David [authority; cf. Isa. 22:20-22], who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens [i.e. controls opportunities], says this: 8 ‘I know your deeds [omniscience]. Behold, I have put before you an open door [an opportunity for ministry] which no one can shut, because you have a little power [sufficient for the need], and have kept My word [faithful obedience], and have not denied My name [in spite of public pressure]. 9 ‘Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan [i.e. Jewish unbelievers in league with Satan to oppose the gospel], who say that they are Jews [God’s true representatives], and are not [deny Messiah – Rom. 9:6-8], but lie -- behold, I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you [perhaps in the future; see Phil. 2:10-11]. 10 ‘Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth [i.e. the great tribulation]. 11 ‘I am coming quickly [i.e. in a quick manner – 1 Cor. 15:51-52]; hold fast what you have [be faithful until death], in order that no one take your crown [στέφανος stephanos – crown, wreath, i.e. heavenly reward, see 1 Cor. 3:10-15]. 12 ‘He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write upon 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 My new name [giving a name signified ownership]. 13 ‘He who has an ear [the individual believer who is spiritually sensitive], let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’”

Summary:

     Jesus presents Himself as the One who is holy and true, which means He is worthy to judge the church at Philadelphia. He possesses the “key of David” (Rev. 3:7; cf. Isa. 22:22), which means He has the authority to open and close doors of opportunity. He commends the Christians at Philadelphia for their deeds, saying, “I have put before you an open door which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name” (Rev. 3:8). The Christians at Philadelphia were under persecution from Jewish unbelievers who had aligned with Satan and opposed the gospel message. To these, Jesus said, “I will make them to come and bow down at your feet, and to know that I have loved you” (Rev. 3:9). This could be an allusion to a future judgment when all shall bow the knee in recognition of Jesus as Lord (Phil. 2:10). Because of their faithfulness, Jesus promised, “I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth” (Rev. 3:10). “This is an explicit promise that the Philadelphia church will not endure the hour of trial which is unfolded, beginning in Revelation 6. Christ was saying that the Philadelphia church would not enter the future time of trouble; He could not have stated it more explicitly.”[1] When Jesus comes, He will come quickly, and will reward faithful Christians (Rev. 3:11). To those who overcome, Jesus promises, “I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and 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 My new name” (Rev. 3:12). “The symbolism in thi