To the Church in Philadelphia ( A Weak but Obedient Church. Encourages Christians who seem to be weak and poweless to realize that their true strength is in Christ. There are no words of disapproval. The Kingdom of God only depends on God's power and authority.)
7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. (Isa 22:22 Jesus the Messiah is successor to David's royal line. As gatekeeper of Heaven, Jesus has authority to open and close the way to heaven.) What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. 8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (they did not deny him under pressure) 9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. (The Christians in Philadelphia has suffered maltreatment ny anti-Christian Jews.) 10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. (Jesus will protect Christians who perservere through trials ISA 43:2-4, John 10:27-28, Heb 6:18-19. The Great time of testing refers to End Times)
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (We must hold on and overcome difficulty so as to not lose our crown - the expected reward) 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar (us) in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name (sign of God's blessing on us). 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
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