A Message to the Church #6: Are You Holding Fast To What You Have?

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.


If you're just now joining us for this series on "A Message to the Church," you may want to check out the previous articles in the series. You can find them at the following links:


A Message to the Church #1: Have You Left Your First Love?
A Message to the Church #2: Are You Fearlessly Faithful?
A Message to the Church #3: Have You Compromised?
A Message to the Church #4: Are You Tolerant of Spiritual Adultery?
A Message to the Church #5: Are You Dead?

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says this: ‘I know your deeds. Behold, 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. Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you. 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 on the earth. I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 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 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’" ~Revelation 3:7-13 (NASB)



Symbolism

Once again, as in the letters to the other churches, Christ is described in the opening--this time as the One who is holy and true, has the key of David, who opens and shuts doors permanently and with complete authority.



The term "key of David" is also used in Isaiah 20:20-22, where the LORD says: “Then it will come about in that day, that I will summon My servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, And I will clothe him with your tunic and tie your sash securely about him. I will entrust him with your authority, and he will become a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Then I will set the key of the house of David on his shoulder, when he opens no one will shut, when he shuts no one will open."



I find it personally fascinating that the language in this Old Testament passage so closely mirrors the passage in the book of Revelation. I also find it fascinating that the term "on his shoulder" is used again in Isaiah 9:6-7: For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.



We need to remember that Christ was of the lineage of David, to whom God promised that his throne would endure forever (2 Samuel 7:12-16). So in light of these verses, I believe the key of David refers to the authority and rule of Christ. He is the key and the door. In spite of worldly powers, only He can open and no one can shut, or shut and no one can open.



It's also worth noting that some theologians see this open door as a symbol of evangelism. Paul himself used this analogy frequently, as did Luke in the book of Acts in reference to Paul's missionary journeys. Though this is certainly a possible interpretation, I still feel that the reference is to a personal relationship to God through Christ as the key and the door, who forever removed the veil between God and man with His atoning sacrifice. (We'll talk about this more in A Message to the Church #7.)



I also want to point out that the phrase "and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan" was also used in the second letter to the churches, and referred to those who claimed to belong to God (the Jews), but who actually served Satan. Many references are made in the Bible to a new Israel as those who put their faith and trust in Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah, who have God's Spirit living inside them, and who have circumcised hearts.



In addition, the "crown" mentioned here was also mentioned in the second letter to the churches. In Biblical times the crown was given to the victor in a race or battle.



What They're Doing Right


They have "a little power" - I don't know why, but when I read this I thought, "All we have to have is a little power, because God's almighty power in the form of His Holy Spirit resides within us as followers." Sometimes I see myself as not having enough power to accomplish anything. This is the same grasshopper mentality that ten of the twelve spies had when sent out to spy on the promised Holy Land. With God's power, we have all we need!!!
They have "not denied His name" - Jesus said: “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven." ~Matthew 10:32-33 (NASB) In scripture, any reference to a name is also a reference to the character and person, so by not denying His name this church had also stayed true to Who He was and is.
They've kept His command to persevere.

What He Has Against Them

Like the church in Smyrna, nothing is mentioned. That in and of itself is quite a testimony, especially considering what He has against the other churches.



What They Need To Do

One thing: hold fast to what they have, which is that relationship with God through Christ, so that no one can take their crown.



The Warning

No words of warning are spoken against the church, but only against those who lied about their connection to God. Their warning becomes part of the reward for God's true people.



The Reward


Christ will make those of the synagogue of Satan kneel at the feet of His true believers.
He will make the false believers know that He loves His true believers.
He will keep them from the hour of testing that is about to come upon all the earth.
He will make them a pillar in the house of God, where they will dwell eternally.
He will write on them the name of His God, the name of the city of His God (the new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven), and His new name. (Remember, a person's name stood for who they were, so this is like receiving a new identity, which is already ours in Christ [see 2 Corinthians 5:17].)

Application

False believers abound in each and every generation, and they often persecute true believers. Don't give up! Christ knows those that are His. As the only Righteous Judge, He will make it right in the end! Our victory and reward is already a done deal! So the question is:




Are you holding fast to what you have?


God of heaven and earth, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for being both the key and the door to God, for ripping that veil that separated us in two from top to bottom! Thank You for the infinite power that is ours because of Your indwelling Spirit. Lord, we acknowledge Your authority, and Yours alone, over us. Give us the strength and that supernatural power to boldly confess You before men, no matter the threat or personal danger. Thank You especially for Your great love for us, and for the truth that one day soon You will return to judge the earth and claim what is Yours! Oh God, we don't deserve any of Your wondrous blessings, but we are so grateful that You lavish them on us. Open our eyes to see what a great treasure is ours because of Jesus and what He did on the cross. Help us persevere in the precious and powerful name of Jesus! Amen!