Revelation 3:7-13

To the Church in Philadelphia

7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of ¹the holy one, ²the true one, ³who has the key of David, ⁴who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.

8 “‘I know your works. Behold, I have set before you ⁵an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make those of ⁶the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, ⁷I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that ⁸I have loved you.

10 ⁹Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try ¹⁰those who dwell on the earth.

11 ¹¹I am coming soon. ¹²Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize ¹³your crown.

12 ¹⁴The one who conquers, I will make him ¹⁵a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him ¹⁶the name of my God, and ¹⁷the name of the city of my God, ¹⁸the new Jerusalem, ¹⁹which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own ²⁰new name.

13 ²¹He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ’

Revelation 3:7-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATION 3

This chapter contains the epistles to the churches at Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea, and begins with that to Sardis; in which the sender describes himself by some things taken out of a former description of him; and gives an account of the state of this church; that her works were known by him, which were imperfect; and that she had the name of a living church, but was dead; wherefore she is exhorted to watchfulness and diligence, to remember how she had heard and received the Gospel, and to hold it fast, and repent of her sins: if not, he threatens to come as a thief unawares upon her, Re 3:1-3, but excepts some few persons from this general account, who were not defiled with the corruptions of the majority, and who therefore should be favoured with communion with him, Re 3:4, and then some gracious promises are made to persevering saints, and the epistle is concluded in the usual form, Re 3:5,6. Next follows the epistle to the church at Philadelphia; in which the sender assumes some peculiar titles not before mentioned, taken from his holiness, truth, and power, Re 3:7, signifies his approbation of her works; declares he had set before her an open door, which could not be shut; affirms she had a little strength, and commends her for keeping his word, Re 3:8, and, for her encouragement, promises that some persons, formerly of bad characters, should come and worship before her, and should know what an interest she had in his love; and that since she had kept his word, he would keep her from an hour of temptation, which will be a trying time to all the world, Re 3:9,10, and in consideration of his speedy coming, he exhorts her to hold fast what she had, that she might not lose her honour and glory; and promises the overcomer a fixed place and name in the house of God; and closes the epistle as the rest, Re 3:11-13, and then follows the last epistle of all, which is that to the church at Laodicea; in which the sender describes himself by some characters taken from his truth and faithfulness, and from his eternity, power, and dominion, Re 3:14, represents the members of this church as lukewarm, and very disagreeable to him, Re 3:15,16, and as having a vain opinion of themselves, being ignorant of their real state and case, Re 3:17, wherefore he gives them some wholesome counsel and advice, suitable to their condition, Re 3:18, and whereas there were some among them he loved, he lets them know that his rebukes and chastenings were from love, and with a view to stimulate them to zeal, and bring them to repentance, which became them, Re 3:19, and then he informs them where he was, what he expected from them, and what they might upon a suitable behaviour enjoy with him, Re 3:20, and next promises to the overcomer great honour and glory, such as he had with his Father; and concludes the epistle in his usual manner, Re 3:21,22.

Cross References

• 1. 3:7 ch. 6:10
• 2. 3:7 ver. 14; ch. 19:11; 1 John 5:20
• 3. 3:7 Isa. 22:22; [Luke 1:32]
• 4. 3:7 Job 12:14; [Matt. 16:19]
• 5. 3:8 Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3
• 6. 3:9 ch. 2:9
• 7. 3:9 [Isa. 45:14; 49:23; 60:14]
• 8. 3:9 Isa. 43:4
• 9. 3:10 ch. 1:9; 2 Pet. 2:9
• 10. 3:10 ch. 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 14; 17:8
• 11. 3:11 ch. 22:7, 12, 20
• 12. 3:11 ch. 2:25
• 13. 3:11 ch. 2:10
• 14. 3:12 See ch. 2:7
• 15. 3:12 1 Kgs. 7:21; 2 Chr. 3:17; Jer. 1:18; Gal. 2:9; [Ps. 23:6; 27:4]
• 16. 3:12 ch. 14:1; 22:4
• 17. 3:12 ch. 21:2; Ezek. 48:35; [Gal. 4:26; Heb. 12:22]
• 18. 3:12 ch. 21:2; Ezek. 48:35; [Gal. 4:26; Heb. 12:22]
• 19. 3:12 ch. 21:10
• 20. 3:12 ch. 2:17
• 21. 3:13 [See ch. 2:7 above]