Freedoms Gate Ministries

Lesson 10A

Revelation 3: 7-13

     As we move closer to the last of the churches, we stop by Philadelphia. Philadelphia is only the second church for which there is nothing to be condemned. So let us look at this church closely, because there are some people who say that we cannot be perfect here on earth. If that is the case, then explain this church. No, tell God He does not know what He is talking about.

    The city of Philadelphia, meaning "brotherly love," is located at the mouth of a pass as one travels from the coast to go to Phrygia and the rest of Asia Minor. This was situated 30 miles southeast of Sardis and about 70 miles east of Smyrna. It was founded as the center of Greek civilization and then spread its manners and language eastward. With Philadelphia being a major part of the Greek civilization, you can picture lifestyle and attitude of the people in the area. Let's read Revelation 3:7-13.

     In verse 7, did you catch that the introduction of Jesus is not a repeat of how Jesus introduces himself to John in Revelation 1? "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;". What is he saying about himself here and why would he say it?

The following definitions help us to understand verse 7.

Holy = separated from sin and therefore consecrated to God; sacred
True = in the sense of real, ideal, genuine; it is used of God; these declare that God fulfills the meaning of His Name.

The reference to the key of David is that Jesus is out of the line of David, which relates to the messianic authority
Look at what He is telling the church of Philadelphia about Himself. I am pure, what I speak is the truth, and I come with the highest authority. If this is not enough for you, I have the power to open anything I wish and no human being or power is able to close it, or if I close it, they cannot open it. Think about what he is saying to Philadelphia and to you, if you are like the church of Philadelphia.