The Letter to the Church in Philadelphia - AWESOME!

[Vine Abider]

My local group has been going through the book of Revelation again this past year, and something that was really exciting to me was the letter to Philadelphia in Rev. 3:7-13.  To me this church stands above the rest and the Lord lavishes praise and rewards on them, even though He says of them, "You have a little strength." So what is it about the believers there, that warrants such good speakings from our Lord?

Because of what the Lord was showing me regarding this letter, I was asked, along with another brother, to share the topic with the ekklesia one Sunday morning a few months ago.  And I must say, we are still enjoying many things from this letter and bring them up frequently in our ongoing fellowship regarding Revelation (we're in chapter 19 now).

I've copied some of my notes below and thought this would be a good place to get started in some forum fellowship about this wonderful letter.

 

Letter to Church in Philadelphia Notes

3 big things I see in this letter are:

1.      Love

2.      God’s building (dwelling place)

3.      Wonderful Promises (including exclusive rescue)

Love

The key to understanding the whole Bible is God’s love for us.  In love He desires to have us in His household (relationship).  This letter focuses on these things.  (The Bible, and especially all of John’s writings are full of the message that the bottom-line is love . . . and then there’s this wonderful letter – quite the focus on love!)

Philadelphia composed of two words:  Phileo (love) & adelphos (brother) = brotherly love

The name David (“key of David”) means beloved

The Lord says He loves them and will make those of the synagogue of Satan bow down at their feet.

 

God’s Building

At least five references to a building/dwelling in this letter (and not mentioned in other letters)

·        Key

·        Door (closed door in Laodicea – Lord knocking on it)

·        Pillar

·        Temple

·        New Jerusalem

·        (also - synagogue of Satan as a contrast?)

The Key of David is only mentioned one other place in the Bible, Isaiah 22:22, “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”

·        David means beloved

·        David was a man “after God’s own heart”

·        David desired to build God’s house (and this happened through his son)

·        This is a reference to Christ (“I will build . . .”)

·        A reference to the kingdom – reigning

·        The key also to unlock the promises, the house of God, etc.

The door to God’s house/kingdom is opened to Philadelphia – the Lord has opened it and will also shut it (closing the door to the wedding feast perhaps?).  This door (which is also Christ – “I am the Door”) is opened to them because they have:

·        A little power/strength

·        Kept the Lord’s word

·        Have not denied His name

He doesn’t say, “Because you have done great and mighty works and tower over your adversaries . . .”  It’s a little strength/power.  This is reminiscent of what He tells the faithful servants in Matthew 25 & Luke 19, “Well done good and faithful servant – you have been faithful in a few things, enter into the joy of your Lord.”  Also, many people listed in Hebrews 12 could be considered in the category of possessing “a little strength,” in that they were not always faithful . . . 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, “God has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the minds of the wise.”  God starts small and weak (in the world’s eyes) – “faith as (small & weak as) a mustard seed”

And the battle is really His, and those who are victorious aren’t the strongest, just the ones who look to Him and let Him do it! (2 Chron 20:15-16)

Wonderful Promises

To these saints who have a little strength and are abiding in His love (and by extension, doing various deeds based on this love), the Lord gives some wonderful, specific promises to:

·        These ones will be made solid pillars in God’s temple, His dwelling, not to go out from there any more.

·        The name of God and of name of the city of God, the New Jerusalem, and the Lord’s new name will be written on them.

·        A promise to keep them out of the hour of testing coming on the whole world, because they have kept the word of His perseverance.

Also, they already have a crown and are told to hold to it tightly that no one take it.  The church abiding in love with a little strength doesn’t have to do much more . . .

“They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony . . . and they loved not their soul lives unto death.” (Rev 12:11)  This is another instance showing that the faithful weren’t necessarily mighty and prevailing in God’s works, but were faithful to look to the Lord as their Redeemer, were faithful to keep His word and testified His name, and turned to Him to fight their battles (in the soul and otherwise)!

The church abiding in His love has a little power and is on the mark . . .

Edited January 25, 2023 by Vine Abider
Added reference

[Vine Abider]

Here are some other notes I have regarding "the key of David" much of this from: https://www.gotquestions.org/Davidic-covenant.html

The Key of David is a term found in Revelation and Isaiah. A key indicates control or authority; therefore, having the Key of David would give one control of David’s domain, i.e., Jerusalem, the City of David, and the kingdom of Israel. The fact that, in Revelation 3:7, Jesus holds this key shows that He is the fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant, the ruler of the New Jerusalem, and the Lord of the kingdom of heaven.

The Davidic Covenant refers to God’s promises to David through Nathan the prophet and is found in 2 Samuel 7 and later summarized in 1 Chronicles 17:11–14 and 2 Chronicles 6:16. This is an unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever. The Davidic Covenant is unconditional because God does not place any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment. The surety of the promises made rests solely on God’s faithfulness and does not depend at all on David or Israel’s obedience.

The Davidic Covenant centers on several key promises that are made to David. First, God reaffirms the promise of the land that He made in the first two covenants with Israel (the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants). This promise is seen in 2 Samuel 7:10, “I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore.” God then promises that David’s son will succeed him as king of Israel and that this son (Solomon) would build the temple. This promise is seen in 2 Samuel 7:12–13, " I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name.”

But then the promise continues and expands: “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (verse 13), and “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever” (verse 16). What began as a promise that David’s son Solomon would be blessed and build the temple turns into something different—the promise of an everlasting kingdom. Another Son of David would rule forever and build a lasting House. This is a reference to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, called the Son of David in Matthew 21:9.

The promise that David’s “house,” “kingdom,” and “throne” will be established forever is significant because it shows that the Messiah will come from the lineage of David and that He will establish a kingdom from which He will reign. The covenant is summarized by the words “house,” promising a dynasty in the lineage of David; “kingdom,” referring to a people who are governed by a king; “throne,” emphasizing the authority of the king’s rule; and “forever,” emphasizing the eternal and unconditional nature of this promise to David and Israel.

Other references to the Davidic Covenant are found in Jeremiah 23:5; 30:9; Isaiah 9:7; 11:1; Luke 1:32, 69; Acts 13:34; and Revelation 3:7.

Isaiah 9:7  Of the increase of his government and of peace ^dthere will be no end,

on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it

^ewith justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

^fThe zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this

 Luke 1:32   He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,

 Acts 13: 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, ^pqno more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “ ‘I will give you ^rthe holy and sure blessings of David.’

 Jeremiah 23:5 ^a“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous ^bBranch, and ^che shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Davidic-covenant.html

Edited January 16, 2023 by Vine Abider
Clarity

[Michael37]

No doubt there were those in the Christian community of Philadelphia who were prompted to act on the prophecy, finding the open door and more strength to minister things of eternal value, these withstanding persecution as an upright pillar, untroubled by efforts to topple it.

[Marilyn C]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

My local group has been going through the book of Revelation again this past year, and something that was really exciting to me was the letter to Philadelphia in Rev. 3:7-13.  To me this church stands above the rest and the Lord lavishes praise and rewards on them, even though He says of them, "You have a little strength." So what is it about the believers there, that warrants such good speakings from our Lord?

Because of what the Lord was showing me regarding this letter, I was asked, along with another brother, to share the topic with the ekklesia one Sunday morning a few months ago.  And I must say, we are still enjoying many things from this letter and bring them up frequently in our ongoing fellowship regarding Revelation (we're in chapter 19 now).

I've copied some of my notes below and thought this would be a good place to get started in some forum fellowship about this wonderful letter.

 

Letter to Church in Philadelphia Notes

3 big things I see in this letter are:

1.      Love

2.      God’s building (dwelling place)

3.      Wonderful Promises (including exclusive rescue)

Love

The key to understanding the whole Bible is God’s love for us.  In love He desires to have us in His household (relationship).  This letter focuses on these things.  (The Bible, and especially all of John’s writings are full of the message that the bottom-line is love . . . and then there’s this wonderful letter – quite the focus on love!)

Philadelphia composed of two words:  Phileo (love) & adelphos (brother) = brotherly love

The name David (“key of David”) means beloved

The Lord says He loves them and will make those of the synagogue of Satan bow down at their feet.

 

God’s Building

At least five references to a building/dwelling in this letter (and not mentioned in other letters)

·        Key

·        Door (closed door in Laodicea – Lord knocking on it)

·        Pillar

·        Temple

·        New Jerusalem

·        (also - synagogue of Satan as a contrast?)

The Key of David is only mentioned one other place in the Bible, Isaiah 22:22, “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”

·        David means beloved

·        David was a man “after God’s own heart”

·        David desired to build God’s house (and this happened through his son)

·        This is a reference to Christ (“I will build . . .”)

·        A reference to the kingdom – reigning

·        The key also to unlock the promises, the house of God, etc.

The door to God’s house/kingdom is opened to Philadelphia – the Lord has opened it and will also shut it (closing the door to the wedding feast perhaps?).  This door (which is also Christ – “I am the Door”) is opened to them because they have:

·        A little power/strength

·        Kept the Lord’s word

·        Have not denied His name

He doesn’t say, “Because you have done great and mighty works and tower over your adversaries . . .”  It’s a little strength/power.  This is reminiscent of what He tells the faithful servants in Matthew 25 & Luke 19, “Well done good and faithful servant – you have been faithful in a few things, enter into the joy of your Lord.”  Also, many people listed in Hebrews 12 could be considered in the category of possessing “a little strength,” in that they were not always faithful . . . 1 Corinthians 1:27 says, “God has chosen the weak things of this world to confound the minds of the wise.”  God starts small and weak (in the world’s eyes) – “faith as (small & weak as) a mustard seed”

And the battle is really His, and those who are victorious aren’t the strongest, just the ones who look to Him and let Him do it! (2 Chron 20:15-16)

Wonderful Promises

To these saints who have a little strength and are abiding in His love (and by extension, doing various deeds based on this love), the Lord gives some wonderful, specific promises to:

·        These ones will be made solid pillars in God’s temple, His dwelling, not to go out from there any more.

·        The name of God and of name of the city of God, the New Jerusalem, and the Lord’s new name will be written on them.

·        A promise to keep them out of the hour of testing coming on the whole world, because they have kept the word of His perseverance.

Also, they already have a crown and are told to hold to it tightly that no one take it.  The church abiding in love with a little strength doesn’t have to do much more . . .

“They overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony . . . and they loved not their soul lives unto death.”  This is another instance showing that the faithful weren’t necessarily mighty and prevailing in God’s works, but were faithful to look to the Lord as their Redeemer, were faithful to keep His word and testified His name, and turned to Him to fight their battles (in the soul and otherwise)!

The church abiding in His love has a little power and is on the mark . . .

Hi VA,

Good start. I also believe that a key to understanding God`s word is His love for us. So very important. Then I would also say that understanding that Christ is the Centre of God`s word helps us to appreciate what is unfolding in God`s great purposes in Christ. 

Your thoughts on the church of Philadelphia are very good and open to us so much of what the Lord has done and out part in being faithful.

Now I would like to just add a few more thoughts. In relation to the church of Philadelphia we see that the Lord presents Himself as `Holy and True, who has the Key of David. `  

Christ reveals His Character (Holy) & His Purposes (True) to this group of believers, and then He opens up to them His riches of wisdom & knowledge.  

                                      `These things says He who is Holy, He who is true, .....

                                              See I have set before you an open door...`

                                                                                                 (Rev. 3: 7 & 8)

Christ`s Character

                                                                                  “`He who is holy .....`    (Rev. 3: 7)

                                 Holy – Gk. Word `hosios,` meaning right by intrinsic or divine character.

 

As Christ reveals His divine character to these believers they are changed into His likeness. (2 Peter 1: 4)  They are not partial or sectarian but have a love for all the brethren, the Body of Christ. This is shown by their name which reveals their character..

                         Philadelphia - `Philos` - fond,  & `adelphos` - brother,   meaning -  love of the brethren.

 

They have a desire to see the Body of Christ come to full maturity.

                                                  `...speaking the truth in love,

                             may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ - `

                                                                                                                             (Eph. 4: 15)

[AdHoc]

33 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Letter to Church in Philadelphia Notes

3 big things I see in this letter are:

1.      Love

2.      God’s building (dwelling place)

3.      Wonderful Promises (including exclusive rescue)

In a sense I mourn the fading of the thread on the Primitive Church. But its natural death is proof that the Church and its practices are not top of the list for many Christians. But not our Lord Jesus; "the ZEAL of thy House has EATEN thee ..." (Ps.69:9, Jn.2:17). He was fully for God's House on earth.

Turning now to Philadelphia my ambition is to divide the meat into small portions and so facilitate eating of this wonderful letter. One of the lessons - bitter lessons - that the zealous Christian will learn, and which will bother him/her in their old age, is that we just don't love the Lord as we should, and we don't love the saints as we should. It's not that we don't want to. It is that we are so damaged by Adam's nature that we just cannot muster the correct virile love for one another and for our Darling Lord. And the name of the city, and the type of love that no doubt helped Philadelphia to be the only Church to be applauded by our Lord, is noteworthy.

In the rich language of the New Testament - Greek, we have THREE words for LOVE.

1. "Eros" the erotic love that first attracts you to a member of the opposite gender. Just because men let it dominate them does not mean that this love is not necessary. God made it, and we all remember that leap in the whole system as we first saw our future wives.
2. "Philadelphia" that almost forgotten but vital love we develop for our wives over the years and the same emotion that causes us to plunder our savings account to help a widow in the Church
3. "Agape" very close in meaning to Philadelphia and hard to separate in our emotions. But it is usually associated with God's love for us. That indestructible virile love that cannot be overturned no matter what the object of your love does

Now, why all this? For this reason. If God wanted the saints to produce the best love, the city should have been "Agape" - not Philadelphia. But God knows what a battering the zealous Christian is going to take in life and requires "a little strength". When Peter so self-preservingly denied the Lord, and the Lord accosted him at the end of the gospel of John (21:15-17), our Lord asks Peter;

"DO YOU "AGAPE" ME?"

But Peter now knows the facts of life. His ego-bruising and heart-breaking failure - and his subsequent restoration - have shown him that his LOVE is inadequate. He naswers

LORD - I "PHILADELPHIA" (phileo) YOU"

Again the Lord asks him "Simon, do you 'AGAPE' me". And again the modest answer is, "LORD I 'Philadelphia' you". The lesso is fully learned. We are of LITTLE strength! And in this lies our salvation. We must cast ourselves upon Him. He MUST become our strength. Woe to the self-confident! He is ready to hear the cock-crow.

And then our gracious Lord descends to Peter's level and says; "Simon, do you "PHILEO" me"? The secret of the success of Philadelphia is that they recognized their LITTLE strength. Many important attributes are connected to Philadelphia and the root is DON'T DEPEND ON YOUR STRENGTH!

[Marilyn C]

1 hour ago, AdHoc said:

In a sense I mourn the fading of the thread on the Primitive Church. But its natural death is proof that the Church and its practices are not top of the list for many Christians. But not our Lord Jesus; "the ZEAL of thy House has EATEN thee ..." (Ps.69:9, Jn.2:17). He was fully for God's House on earth.

 

Hi Ad Hoc,

I don`t think that thread is finished for a few of us are reading the book and will comment soon.

 

[Selah7]

Greetings 

I’d like to add a few gems to the mix of excellent postings above, if I may.  

I find it interesting that Christ gives a few of His credentials to each church as He addresses them.  Also, we can see that there are only two churches that Christ finds no fault with, the church of Smyrna and the church of Philadelphia.  And it must be very important for us to know that these two churches share something in common that is very pleasing to our Lord, and He praises both these churches for it.  

. . .

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

- Revelation 2:8-11 (KJV)

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

- Revelation 3:7-12 (KJV)

[AdHoc]

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; 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  (Rev.3:7–8)

At first reading, we can only wonder at the mention of our Lord's relationship with David. David is a king of Israel and what then has Israel to do with the Church? Even our Lord Jesus, in His capacity as "Son of David" ignores the Canaanite woman who pleads fervently for her demon possessed daughter in Matthew 15. Then, when forced by His disciples to take note of the woman, he calls her and her kin "dogs" - an unclean animal. Surely David, Israel and things Jewish which are cast out now, (for the Temple is destroyed and Judah is dispersed by 96 AD when John writes) have little to do with an overcoming Church in a Gentile Land.

YES! BUT ... the Holy Spirit is the Master of economy when writing. A few words conjure a picture and a picture is worth a thousand words. What shall we glean from the "Key of David"? MUCH!

The first thing we note is that it is not, "the keys of the Kingdom of David". It is, "Keys of David". It pertains to David himself. But Peter, on that very first Pentecost in Acts Chapter 2:26-34 assures us that David's grave is still occupied and that his soul still resides in Hades. Peter further tells us that the soul of Jesus has been released from Hades and that He is now ascended - but David NOT. How then will David escape death - for it is death that stops David ruling. But we gain much hope for David in Acts 15:13-17;

13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.

So the grand hope of David and His House is that once the Church is complete, Messiah Jesus will RETURN and do TWO THINGS;

1. Build the House of David again to its former glory, which will put Christ on the throne of ISRAEL and David as His administrative second in command (Jer.30:9)
2. By default, restore the whole of Israel (Ezek.37), for their job is to vet and administer the NATIONS who will flow into Jerusalem (Isa.2:2-3)

BUT ... we ask, what has this to do with Philadelphia? THREE THINGS!

1. The Key of David must be the Key to Hades. As shown above, Hades holds David captive. To raise up David (Jer.30:9) needs RESURRECTION
2. The Key of David must be the Key to Hades for his HOUSE all languish in Hades. Solomon and all the following kings are all there. To build his House, David needs the RESURRECTION of all offspring
3. The Key of David must be the Key of Hades for ALL ISRAEL. David was the king over COMBINED Israel - north and south. Every son of Israel (Jacob) must be RESURRECTED

RESURRECTION is the key to the success of God's plan FOR ISRAEL. But Philadelphia already have their CROWNS waiting in heaven. What crowns? Those they will wear to rule the Nations! And TWO MASSIVE PROBLEMS face a future king in Christ's Kingdom. (1) This body is not fit for the kingdom (1st Cor.15:50), and (2) it is "the PATIENCE" of Jesus that they kept. What patience? Jesus needs TIME to build the Church for the kingdom and as the parable of the 10 Virgins shows, when the Groom delays, Virgins fall asleep. We need a resurrected body for the kingdom and we need resurrection to be alive and rule.

All this is intimated by the short phrase; "the key of David". Revelation is the capstone on the Bible. It shows the consummation of God's dealings. I "REVEALS" the new King of this earth. It has just over 400 verses. But it has over 800 referrals to the Old Testament. I judge that the Key of David is Israel's guarantee of God fulfilling Abraham's Covenant. And just like 1st Corinthians 10:1-11 tells, Israel is our EXAMPLE. Israel's hope centers on Christ's Work, of which resurrection is one of the greatest. But it is also critical to the Church.

Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18  I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of HADES and of death. (Re 1:17–18)

 

[Marilyn C]

Hi VA,

Some very good comments so far. I`d like to mention a few that were highlighted to me.

Vine Abider - Key - to unlock promises, the door is opened to God`s house.

got questions - A key indicates control and authority. The one who had the `Key of David,` had control of David`s domain - Jerusalem, kingdom of Israel.

Selah7 - Christ gives a few of His credentials to each church as He addresses them.

Ad Hoc - the great hope of David and his house once the church is complete.

 

So, some thoughts that I might add to this discussion of the Key of David. We know as Ad Hoc has shown that the church, the Body of Christ and Israel are separate groups that God has a purpose for. Then, in this letter to the Philadelphians we see that the Lord has given them some of His credentials that are specific to what He desires them to know of Him.

The Lord says He is holy and true and has the Key of David. Now, the term the `key of David,` is a symbol representing something of the Lord. Sometimes we can get lost in talking about the symbol itself instead of what it refers to in the Lord.

We would agree that is indicates - control and authority. So what `control and authority` did the Key of David unlock. Well, we know that David was King of Israel and he had the control and authority over all Israel`s national treasures. This is illustrated in Isa. 22: 22, (as Ad Hoc directed us to) where Eliakim (son of the King) was the master of all the king`s household.

Thus, we now look for the true, which relates to the Lord. What treasures does He have control and authority over?

`Christ - in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ` (Col. 2: 3)

`of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - ` (1 Cor. 1: 30)

God`s word gives us His truth, however, not all people understand it. There needs to be the humble heart to receive, and the correct teaching to impart.

So, the big question now is - `What promises/truths are there for the Body of Christ?`  We need the Lord`s wisdom and knowledge (His Key) here to seek and understand.

[Vine Abider]

On 1/17/2023 at 5:03 PM, Marilyn C said:

Hi VA,

Some very good comments so far. I`d like to mention a few that were highlighted to me.

Vine Abider - Key - to unlock promises, the door is opened to God`s house.

got questions - A key indicates control and authority. The one who had the `Key of David,` had control of David`s domain - Jerusalem, kingdom of Israel.

Selah7 - Christ gives a few of His credentials to each church as He addresses them.

Ad Hoc - the great hope of David and his house once the church is complete.

 

So, some thoughts that I might add to this discussion of the Key of David. We know as Ad Hoc has shown that the church, the Body of Christ and Israel are separate groups that God has a purpose for. Then, in this letter to the Philadelphians we see that the Lord has given them some of His credentials that are specific to what He desires them to know of Him.

The Lord says He is holy and true and has the Key of David. Now, the term the `key of David,` is a symbol representing something of the Lord. Sometimes we can get lost in talking about the symbol itself instead of what it refers to in the Lord.

We would agree that is indicates - control and authority. So what `control and authority` did the Key of David unlock. Well, we know that David was King of Israel and he had the control and authority over all Israel`s national treasures. This is illustrated in Isa. 22: 22, (as Ad Hoc directed us to) where Eliakim (son of the King) was the master of all the king`s household.

Thus, we now look for the true, which relates to the Lord. What treasures does He have control and authority over?

`Christ - in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ` (Col. 2: 3)

`of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - ` (1 Cor. 1: 30)

God`s word gives us His truth, however, not all people understand it. There needs to be the humble heart to receive, and the correct teaching to impart.

So, the big question now is - `What promises/truths are there for the Body of Christ?`  We need the Lord`s wisdom and knowledge (His Key) here to seek and understand.

Marilyn you are spot on!  The key . . . means there is a door.  The key gives authority to unlock a door.  The ones in Philly had an open door placed before them.  What door?  Later in the letter it talks about God's house.  This letter is chocked full of things related to God's building/temple, like none of the other letters! An open door to all the treasures - the inheritance of God in His household!

To me this is showing that God flings the door wide open to the church with a little strength that is focusing on love.  Love is the fulfillment of the commandment and the evidence of God working through them, and is the bottom line of what God is telling us in the New Testament (and whole bible).  This church gets it!  The Lord is putting His seal of approval on Philadelphia saying, "There it is!  You focused on those few things that matter most - well done! Because of this I will keep you from the hour of trail about to come on the whole earth!"