The "Open Door" Church of Philadelphia

The church of Philadelphia (which means "Brotherly Love"), along with Smyrna, enjoys the distinction of receiving no condemnation or rebuke from the Master in the letters to the 7 churches of Revelation. While Smyrna was warned that they would "suffer tribulation 10 days", the church at Philadelphia was promised " an open door, and no man can shut it." It is important that we thoroughly examine the message to this church not only because we should all "study to shew" ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth-but additionally this church has great prophetic significance. Many students of eschatology ( the study of "last things" for those of us who are theologically-challenged-don't you just love all the religious jargon sometimes?) point to certain passages in this chapter as evidence for a pre-trib rapture (I happen to agree). We will examine the particulars later, but for now let's begin with the introduction to this church from our Lord.

Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth

As with every introduction to every church, it is important that we see the correlation to the announcement, and the current climate of each church. Christ announces Himself as "he that is holy" and I do not believe there are any mistakes or accidents where the word of God is concerned. As with almost every promise in the bible, there are conditions (I like to call them the great "if-then" statements of the bible). There is a promise of escape and an open door for this congregation, and I believe the promise is intrinsically linked with holiness. God is often referred to as "the Holy One of Israel." We read such commands as "be ye holy for I am holy"...as well as "follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." In a world which makes fun and light of holiness, we must never forget that it will be "this same Jesus" (Acts 1:11) who will return for His glorious church "not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish." (Ephesians 5:27). Those who have deemed holiness optional (as if somehow it could be divorced from true Christianity) will find themselves on the outside of that door knocking and saying "Lord Lord, open unto us" (Matt 25:11) and yet Christ will say "I know you not."

In order to understand the "key of David" reference, again one must have a good working knowledge of the Old Testament. This is no doubt a reference to Isaiah 22:22 ( I encourage you to look it up so I won't elaborate for sake of time here). Why this would be significant to this church at Philadelphia will be further explained in subsequent verses, but to make a long story short-this is a church under persecution from unbelieving Jews. It is comforting to know that God has the key to the "gate" (if you will) and the only access the enemy has to our lives (if we are submitted to God) is that which He allows. We know that He will never leave us nor forsake us and that He is with us always, "even to the end of the world." We can take refuge in this fact that Christ is building His church and the "gates" of hell will not prevail against it!

Rev 3:8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name

Again we see the symbolism/imagery of open doors and access. There are different schools of thought about this open door so I will offer both to you for your consideration. There are many who see this "open door" as symbolic of evangelistic opportunity in a missionary context. I personally have no problem with this application, because I believe that it does take a sovereign work of God to prepare hearts to receive the Word of God. We remember in Acts that at one point the disciples were "forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach in Asia" (Acts 16:6) for whatever reason-only He knows. Paul told Timothy to "be instant in season and out of season" and this tells me that there are times and seasons appointed of the Father that will produce results and that those results are totally dependant on Him. Paul, when writing to the Corinthians, spoke of a great door being opened unto him (I Cor 16:9). As a pastor, I can testify firsthand to the fact that it takes the work of the Holy Spirit to produce any lasting fruit. Christ told the disciples "without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5) and to that end, I say a hearty "AMEN!"

The other possible meaning (and I believe the more preferable interpretation) goes back to the Old Testament reference to the key of David from Isaiah. Notice that in the verse above that Christ mentioned they have "a little strength" (as opposed to great strength). This should discount the notion of kingdom-now theology which falsely claims that the church will take over the world and then Jesus can come. First of all, Jesus does not need our assistance to take over the world (He created it in 6 days and rested on the 7th). Furthermore, Jesus told us that His kingdom was "not of this world." We look for a city in heaven (the new Jerusalem) which hath foundations whose "builder and maker is God." With this in mind, we can see that the thought of a door shutting and opening takes on even a greater meaning. I have said many times that we should never judge morality by what the majority believes. It has always been a "remnant" people of God which have truly served Him. This church with a "little strength" which no doubt is under persecution from those of the "synagogue of satan" would take great comfort in knowing that God is in control of the door being open or shut. In this context we see that the open door would refer to these true Christians who have access to the presence of God and refuge under the shadow of His wings. The closed door represents the line which God would not allow the enemy to cross- praise God that there is a limit to what He will allow us to suffer!

Rev 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee

Here we see a church that is indeed under persecution from those who "say they are Jews." The apostle Paul very clearly delineated in the book of Romans what constitutes a true Jew- I think it would be appropriate for me to reference some verses at this point:

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God

And John the Baptist made this statement:

Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

These are just but a few verses which clearly show that salvation has nothing to do with nationality or pedigree. It has everything to do with faith in the shed blood of the risen Christ Jesus! Christ promises the faithful believers in Philadelphia that not only does He love them, but one day will vindicate them by causing the persecutors to come and "worship before thy feet."

Rev 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth

Now we come to one of the more controversial passages of scripture (in recent decades anyway). I believe that the Word of God has meaning on many different levels. For me the most important level is the literal, contextual meaning to the initial audience. I believe that there was a very real church in Philadelphia which was under very real persecution. I see that this church is promised Divine protection from the hour of temptation coming on the world. But I also believe that this verse has meaning for us today and has an eschatological (there's that word again) context. Noteworthy is the phrase "temptation which shall come upon all the world." It is very difficult to read this passage and not immediately understand the context as the tribulation period (or 70th week of Daniel or "time of Jacob's trouble.") Let's look at some of the terms used when the tribulation period is described and see if there are not some common themes:

Luke 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Daniel 7:23 Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

We know that there is coming a time of trouble to the whole world. This means the situation is not just a local problem-it is a global temptation. I personally believe that this is a reference to the tribulation period that indeed will come upon the whole world "as a snare" just like Jesus said. Now we come to the more controversial aspect of this passage. While I do believe that this is a promise or reference to true Christians being raptured prior to the commencement of the tribulation- I also see that there is a condition which is implied here. Notice that Jesus says "Because thou has kept the word of my patience...I also will keep thee." Again, I'm not a rocket scientist but I can clearly see a cause-and-effect relationship here. Jesus is saying that their means of escape or protection from the "hour of temptation" is directly linked to their faithfulness. I think it's interesting that Jesus makes reference to "the word of my patience." Isn't it true that faith must be comprised of great patience. James says "let patience have her perfect work" and Christ Himself said "in your patience possess ye your souls" (Luke 21:19). Patience must be a component of our faith because Jesus told us in the parable of the sower/soils that there would be some who would believe for a "while " but in time of temptation will fall away (Luke 8:13). Trials and temptations will come but "he that endureth until the end, the same shall be saved." There are those (actually many in the pre-trib camp) who would disagree with me, but I believe there is indeed a cause and effect relationship between our faithfulness and our participation in the "catching away" of I Thessalonians chapter 4. I will not further go into a defence of why I believe the rapture takes place before the tribulation, but I do have an article on my site that addresses this here Why the Rapture is before the Tribulation

Rev 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

In the great context of human history, time (just like our lifespan) is truly just a vapor. A day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day. The last days began on the day of Pentecost and I truly believe that we are in the final hours of time based on every sign in the scriptures. Jesus tells us (and the church at Philadelphia) to "hold that fast which thou hast." This is something we rarely preach or teach on, but we must remember that there is an enemy of our souls who would like nothing better than to steal everything that we have. The "thief" cometh not but for to steal, kill, and to destroy. Because we are spiritual soldiers engaged in a spiritual war, we must "hold fast" to that which we have. We must hold on dearly to the precious truths of the Word of God and renounce error- We must hold fast to the promises of God without wavering- We must hold on to the sacredness of the biblical family-the standards of morality-and to personal holiness and faithfulness to God. Here we see the possiblity of someone else getting our crown. I find this very interesting and raises several questions. But suffice it to say that if we will not be faithful to do what God has asked us to do, He will turn to someone else who will respond in faithful obedience. We should never think more highly of ourselves than we ought to but realize that God has "dealt to every man the measure of faith" (Romans 12). The prophet Elijah thought that he was all alone but God reminded him that "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal" (Romans 11:4). It is a great honor to be in the family of God and I don't know about you, but I don't want anyone else taking my crown!

Rev 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name

As with all the churches, the promises of reward and escape from judgement belong to the overcomers. Here the overcomer is promised to be a pillar in the temple of God. Keep in mind that the context of this passage has included the imagery of an open door and a closed door. Here the overcomer is promised that he shall "go no more out." He is also promised to have written upon him a new name, the name of the New Jerusalem and Christ's new name. God is a God of new beginnings, and how exciting it is to know that He has prepared for us a kingdom which cannot be moved! I'm glad that God is in the name-changing business- he called me out of darkness into His marvelous light. He took the unstable Simon and named Him Peter (the rock)-he took the persecutor Saul and made him the Apostle Paul- he took Abram and made him Abraham the father of many nations. We can eagerly expect and anticipate that He has great things in store for the overcomer-things that our finite minds could not even begin to fathom.

Rev 3:13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Even today, the Spirit is pleading with us to hear the messages to the seven churches and to respond in faithful obedience. Let us all strive to keep the word of His patience so that we might be kept from the hour of temptation that will soon come upon this whole world like a snare. May God richly bless you as you study His word!

Coming soon "The Lukewarm Church of Laodicea "