April 27: CHILDLIKE, NOT CHILDISH

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”’” (Revelation 3:7)

Of the seven cities in Asia where churches were situated, Philadelphia was the youngest city. Built by King Attalus II around 150BC, it was affectionately named for a brother whom he greatly loved. Its location, about 25 miles southeast of Sardis on the clockwise mail route, was a high, volcanic plateau. The prosperous city was founded to promote the Greek language and culture in Lydia and Phrygia, yet the people in the church there were very well-tuned to a higher and broader calling.

Jesus introduces Himself to the pastor and church in Philadelphia in several meaningful ways: “He who is holy”. This brings numerous verses to mind, including: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD God of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory! (Isaiah 6:3) and “That Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35) Jesus is emphasizing His deity to a church who, as we will see, genuinely loves Him for Who He is.

“He who is true” is said to emphasize the fact that He is real. The original word rendered true designates reality as opposed to imagined or unreal (not as the opposite to the word “false”). The church in Philadelphia absolutely believed beyond any shred of doubt that He is real.

“He who has the key of David” is a reference to Eliakim, a humble and faithful servant of King Hezekiah (see Isaiah 22:22). Eliakim had a great responsibility as the keeper of keys. He had full access and responsibility for overseeing David’s royal palace. Jesus, who compares Himself to Eliakim, truly has full access and authority over more than a royal house or a house of worship, but over all of life! “I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18) See also Matthew 28:18, Ephesians 1:22, Hebrews 3:6.

‘These things says . . . “He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens” The city of Philadelphia was considered “The Gateway to the East” for the spread of Greek ideas. But the church in that city was divinely given an even wider opening to carry the gospel message of Jesus Christ to the entire world.

In the lineup of church history, it is noteworthy that Philadelphia is the youngest city. With the benefit of access to the Word along with well-known rediscoveries of faithful reformers, Philadelphia is a picture of what Sardis could have been had they not missed the boat, so to speak, regarding their priceless opportunity for deep Bible Study and continued discovery. Sardis represents the establishment of fractured Protestant denominations who drove immovable stakes into the ground and thus lost receptiveness of God’s grace for deeper knowledge in the word (see 2 Peter 3:18).

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 (see also Isaiah 11:6; Luke 9:48; 18:17)