The Church at Philadelphia - The Opened Door to Evangelism

PHILADELPHIA

7 And to the Angel (Pastor) of the Church in Philadelphia write (is referred to as the Missionary Church, and had its beginning in about the year 1800, and continues unto this hour); These things says He Who is Holy, He Who is true, He Who has the key of David, He Who opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens (refers to the fact that Christ has total authority);

8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it (this “open door” refers to the way being made for the Gospel to be sent to the entirety of the world): for you have a little strength, and have kept my Word, and have not denied My Name. (“Little strength” is not an indication of spiritual infirmity, but of few in number. However, these few [speaking of those who truly know the Lord] have touched the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.)

9 Behold, I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie (proclaims the fact that God doesn’t recognize the spiritual claims of national Israel); behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. (This refers to the coming Kingdom Age, when Christ will rule Personally over the entirety of the Earth, with Israel restored. Israel will then bow at the feet of Christ, Whom the Gentiles accepted.)

10 Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them who dwell upon the earth. (The Church will be Raptured out before the Great Tribulation.)

11 Behold, I come quickly (again refers to the Rapture): hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown. (The Devil will use religious men to try to move us away from our Faith in Christ and the Cross.)

12 Him who overcomes will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God (the “overcomer” is the one who trusts explicitly in Christ and what He did for us at the Cross), and he shall go no more out (refers to a constant position in the presence of God): 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 comes down out of Heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new Name. (At the Cross, Christ identified with our sin by suffering its penalty. Now he identifies with our most excellent Blessing, as He is the Source of all.)

13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches. (The Spirit is saying we must be ready for the Rapture, which can only be done by Faith constantly exhibited in Christ and His Finished Work.)