And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, write: These things says the Holy and True One, the One who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens. I know your works. I have placed before you a door already opened, and no one is able to shut it. Although you have little strength, you have kept My word and have not denied My name. Rev. 3:7, 8.
In the heart of Beijing, China, lies the old imperial palace called the Forbidden City. Within the walled boundaries of this network of buildings the ancient emperors of the Chinese dynamics once lived and ruled. Common people could never set foot on grounds considered sacred, hence the name Forbidden City.
In order to enter the well-fortified "city" one must go through the very large and imposing Meridian Gate, which consists of five entrances. The central and grandest of them was reserved only for the emperor himself. All the other officials and royal family members had to pass through one of the other four gates. The only exception was that a princess on her wedding could enter the city through this special Gate. Also, once a year, the three top scholars in China had the rare honor of using the emperor's gate.
The letter to Philadelphia has a unique feature. Jesus does not just analyze the church's past and offer a remedy--He describes what He is doing for them in the present, having placed before them an open door that no one can shut. The ultimate Emperor does not reserve that door for Himself but throws it open to His followers from Philadelphia.
What is this door, and why does Jesus offer it and hold it open? Commentators have three suggestions.
1. Jesus as the door. As in John 10, He is the one who guards the entrance to the church. Nothing can deny access to His faithful Philadelphians.
2. A door of missionary opportunity. Jesus promises them that their efforts to evangelize the lost would be successful (cf. 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3).
3. The door of heavenly knowledge. If this is Jesus' intention, it would be in anticipation of Revelation 4:1, which depicts a door standing open in heavenly places. The people of the church of Philadelphia have the knowledge about heavenly things that they are receiving from John in the book of Revelation.
While all three suggestions have spiritual support, I particularly like the first. Although others (the synagogue in Philadelphia) have excluded them from salvation, Someone far greater than their opponents welcomes them!
Thank You, Lord, for providing a full and free salvation in Christ. As I continue in my walk with You, help me never to doubt my access to You.
In the heart of Beijing, China, lies the old imperial palace called the Forbidden City. Within the walled boundaries of this network of buildings the ancient emperors of the Chinese dynamics once lived and ruled. Common people could never set foot on grounds considered sacred, hence the name Forbidden City.
In order to enter the well-fortified "city" one must go through the very large and imposing Meridian Gate, which consists of five entrances. The central and grandest of them was reserved only for the emperor himself. All the other officials and royal family members had to pass through one of the other four gates. The only exception was that a princess on her wedding could enter the city through this special Gate. Also, once a year, the three top scholars in China had the rare honor of using the emperor's gate.
The letter to Philadelphia has a unique feature. Jesus does not just analyze the church's past and offer a remedy--He describes what He is doing for them in the present, having placed before them an open door that no one can shut. The ultimate Emperor does not reserve that door for Himself but throws it open to His followers from Philadelphia.
What is this door, and why does Jesus offer it and hold it open? Commentators have three suggestions.
1. Jesus as the door. As in John 10, He is the one who guards the entrance to the church. Nothing can deny access to His faithful Philadelphians.
2. A door of missionary opportunity. Jesus promises them that their efforts to evangelize the lost would be successful (cf. 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3).
3. The door of heavenly knowledge. If this is Jesus' intention, it would be in anticipation of Revelation 4:1, which depicts a door standing open in heavenly places. The people of the church of Philadelphia have the knowledge about heavenly things that they are receiving from John in the book of Revelation.
While all three suggestions have spiritual support, I particularly like the first. Although others (the synagogue in Philadelphia) have excluded them from salvation, Someone far greater than their opponents welcomes them!
Thank You, Lord, for providing a full and free salvation in Christ. As I continue in my walk with You, help me never to doubt my access to You.
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