Read & explore together
To the Church in Philadelphia
This message to the assembly in Philadelphia presents the speaker as holy, true, and fully authoritative. Using vision language, it encourages a community with little power to keep holding firmly to what they have received.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
These verses are addressed to the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia. The message begins with titles for the speaker, then moves through what he knows about the assembly, what he promises to do, a call to hold firmly, and a final appeal to hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.
Revelation 3:7–13Main takeaway
The one who is holy and true calls this assembly to keep holding firmly and promises secure belonging to those who overcome.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Holy, true, and holding the keyThe message opens by describing the speaker as holy and true. He has “the key of David”, and whatever he opens no one can shut, while whatever he shuts no one can open.
Explanation
The message opens by describing the speaker as holy and true. He has “the key of David”, and whatever he opens no one can shut, while whatever he shuts no one can open. This picture shows decisive authority. The message starts by making clear that his words carry weight and cannot be overturned.
02Little power, but faithful obedienceThe speaker says, “I know your works”, showing that the assembly is fully known. He has set before them an open door that no one can shut.
Explanation
The speaker says, “I know your works”, showing that the assembly is fully known. He has set before them an open door that no one can shut. Although they have “a little power”, they are commended for keeping his word and not denying his name. Their situation sounds modest, yet their faithfulness is plainly recognised.
03A correction and a promise for those who endureThe message speaks about some who claim to be Jews and are not, but lie. The stated result is that they will come and know that the assembly is loved by the speaker.
Explanation
The message speaks about some who claim to be Jews and are not, but lie. The stated result is that they will come and know that the assembly is loved by the speaker. Because the assembly kept his command to endure, he also promises to keep them from the coming hour of testing on the whole world.
04Hold firmly and receive a lasting nameThe assembly is told, “Hold firmly that which you have”, because the speaker says he is coming quickly.
Explanation
The assembly is told, “Hold firmly that which you have”, because the speaker says he is coming quickly. The one who overcomes will become a pillar in the temple of God and will go out no more. God’s name, the new Jerusalem’s name, and the speaker’s new name will be written on that person. The passage ends by urging attentive hearing.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What do the key, the opening, and the shutting show about the speaker’s authority?
Notice the actions in the first verse and the repeated point that no one can reverse them.
02Why is the assembly praised even though it has only “a little power”?
Look for the two faithful actions named in the verse: what they kept and what they did not deny.
03What future promises are given to those who endure and overcome?
Gather the promises about testing, the crown warning, and the images of the pillar and the written names.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Revelation 3:7–13
7“To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: “He who is holy, he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens, says these things:
8“I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.
9Behold, I make some of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie—behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
10Because you kept my command to endure, I also will keep you from the hour of testing which is to come on the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
11I am coming quickly! Hold firmly that which you have, so that no one takes your crown.
12He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God, and he will go out from there no more. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God, and my own new name.
13He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.