Revelation 3:7

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

And {G2532} to the angel {G32} of the church {G1577} in {G1722} Philadelphia {G5359} write {G1125}; These things {G3592} saith {G3004} he that is holy {G40}, he that is true {G228}, he that hath {G2192} the key {G2807} of David {G1138}, he that openeth {G455}, and {G2532} no man {G3762} shutteth {G2808}; and {G2532} shutteth {G2808}, and {G2532} no man {G3762} openeth {G455};

“To the angel of the Messianic Community in Philadelphia, write: ‘Here is the message of HaKadosh, the True One, the one who has the key of David, who, if he opens something, no one else can shut it, and if he closes something, no one else can open it.

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.

And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth and none shall shut, and that shutteth and none openeth:

Revelation 3:7 introduces the fifth of the seven letters to the churches of Asia, specifically addressed to the church in Philadelphia. This verse sets the stage by identifying the speaker, Jesus Christ, through a series of powerful and authoritative titles that affirm His divine nature and supreme control over all things, especially access to God's kingdom and opportunities for ministry.

Context of Revelation 3:7

The letter to the church in Philadelphia stands out among the seven churches of Asia for its commendation without any recorded rebuke. Philadelphia was an important city in ancient Lydia, known for its fertile plains and as a gateway city to the interior. It was prone to earthquakes, symbolizing instability, yet the church there remained firm in its faith. Jesus' self-description here is particularly poignant for a church that, despite its perceived weakness, was faithful and obedient, promising them an "open door" for their steadfastness.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Authority and Character of Christ: Jesus identifies Himself as "He that is holy" and "He that is true." These titles underscore His absolute purity, moral perfection, and authentic deity. He is the standard of holiness and the source of all truth, providing a firm foundation for the church's faith and hope.
  • The Key of David: The phrase "He that hath the key of David" is a profound messianic declaration, directly referencing Isaiah 22:22. In Isaiah, the key was given to Eliakim, signifying authority over the royal house, the right to open and shut, to admit and exclude. In Revelation, this authority is fully vested in Jesus, indicating His sovereign rule over the spiritual kingdom, access to God's presence, and the destiny of individuals and nations.
  • Absolute Sovereignty over Opportunities: The declaration "He that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth" emphasizes Christ's ultimate and unchallengeable authority. This speaks to His power to create opportunities for ministry, evangelism, and spiritual growth that no human or demonic force can thwart. Conversely, He can close doors, and no one can reopen them, highlighting His complete control over all circumstances. This promise of an open door for the word is particularly significant for missions and spreading the Gospel.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Greek word for "holy" is hagios (ἅγιος), signifying separation, sacredness, and moral purity. It points to Christ's divine nature, set apart from all sin.
  • "True" is from the Greek alēthinos (ἀληθινός), meaning genuine, authentic, and real, as opposed to counterfeit or merely symbolic. Jesus is the ultimate reality and the embodiment of truth, as He states in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."
  • The "key of David" is a direct allusion to Old Testament prophecy, reinforcing Jesus' identity as the promised Messiah and the rightful heir to David's throne, possessing all authority.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 3:7 offers immense comfort and challenge. It reminds us that our Lord possesses all authority in heaven and on earth. When doors seem closed, we can trust in His sovereign power to open them according to His perfect will. When opportunities arise, we can step through them with confidence, knowing they are divinely ordained. This verse encourages faithfulness, perseverance, and reliance on Christ's unshakeable authority, assuring us that His plans for His church cannot be thwarted by human opposition.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 22:22

    And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.

  • Matthew 16:19

    And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

  • Revelation 1:18

    [I am] he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

  • Job 12:14

    Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.

  • John 14:6

    Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

  • Luke 1:32

    He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

  • Mark 1:24

    Saying, Let [us] alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

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