An Open Door No Man Can Shut Revelation 3:8

After John the apostle saw the vision of Jesus in chapter one of “Revelation”, he began to write to the “seven churches in Asia”. He started with the church located in “Ephesus”, then the “church of Smyrna”, the “church in Pergamos”, the “church in Thyatira” and “the church in Sardis”. In chapter three and verse seven of Revelation, John shared how Jesus addressed “the church in Philadelphia” and told them, “These things says he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;” and in verse eight Jesus told them, “I have set before you an open door” where we read:

I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it:

for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.

The verse reads, “I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it:” John began with the words, “I know” which means “Jesus perceived, noticed, discerned and discovered” “your works” or “the church in Philadelphia's business, employment and that in which they were occupied”: “behold” or “look and see”, “I have set before you” which refers to “Jesus granted, supplied, furnished and provided before the church in Philadelphia” “an open door” or “a clear and open vestibule, entrance way or passage”, “and no man” which means “and no person whether male or female” “can shut it” or “shall be able or have power to obstruct or close the door”. Jesus knew the “business” within “the church in Philadelphia”, and He provided a “clear and open entrance” that no one shall be able to “close”.

The verse continues, “for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name.” John added the word, ““for” which means “because and since” “your have a little strength” which refers to “the church in Philadelphia held, owned and possessed a small and tiny bit of power and ability”, “and have kept” or “and have held, owned and possessed” “my word” which means “Jesus' speech, utterance, decree and mandate of moral precepts given by God”, “and have not denied” or “and have in no way or manner abnegated, adjured and disregarded” “my name” which means “Jesus' name which is used for everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”. Jesus recognized how the “church in Philadelphia” had “tiny ability”, were “keepers of His word” and did not “disregard” His “name”.

When we meditate upon John's words in this verse, we see how Jesus made “an open door” provision for the clear passing of the “church in Philadelphia”. He knew they had “little ability”, and they “held fast” His words as well as His “name”. This church was doing as Jesus desired. They were about Jesus' “ability” and “the scriptures”, and they desired to “keep” the name of Jesus before others. God enjoys people who are like the “church in Philadelphia” where He is most important in their lives, and this relationship comes through believing and trusting in His Son Jesus Christ. May all who read these words consider these wonderful attributes of the “church in Philadelphia”, and may they model their lives according to this church's pattern.

Next time we see John share how Jesus will make those “which say they are Jews” “of the synagogue of Satan”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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