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3⁷ “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. 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.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. 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.¹¹ I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. ¹² The one who is victorious I will make a pillar 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. ¹³ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The Lord appears in the perfection of Holiness and Truth. He comes as the ultimate judge, dispensing reward and punishment. He is the final arbiter.

He pre-knows Philadelphia as He knows all human nature and He brings to them at the critical turning point a need for personal decision. Like Smyrna, this is a striving community with a glowing star. In spite of their little strength, they have kept to the word. The door is open and the choices indicated awaiting a personal decision. Although, they are weak, their volition at this critical turning point (to recognize the Spirit of Truth – the open door, or to reject Him) will decide their future. This grace is permitted them because, in spite of their lack of strength, they have striven to keep the word and have not denied God or His Son, Jesus. The Lord, therefore, immediately places before them the choice of walking into the Light through the door He has opened for them; a door that no one can shut and all that remains is for them to choose.

This is the time of the Spirit of Truth promised by Christ. He has the key, the word he brought with which He has opened the door to the Light. This door cannot be shut by any agency. However, the choice to pass through this door remains the individual’s who has to recognize the Son of Man and follow where He leads. Indeed, He, the Spirit of Truth is the door! Here, He addresses those human spirits who have recognized Him and although, they have little strength, yet their volition is good and their striving will be rewarded. Like the other Envoy of God, Jesus, He is not only the shepherd whose voice only the sheep will hear, but also the gate or door to the Light through which the sheep, those who hearken to His call can enter into Life.

Also like Smyrna, this community suffers from the activity of hypocrites, but these, in spite of their apparent strength within the community, will be humbled. Hypocrisy is present in this community and humility is a much-harassed virtue. Many claim to believe or to belong to the community of believers but are liars or just indolent. Ultimately, after the judgment, it is the meek, those who have entered through the door, who will inherit the earth. Those who, having endured patiently, choose life through the shepherd’s gate will be protected from the hour of trial (Tribulation/purification) that will sweep the earth.

This is going to happen soon. Philadelphians must hold on to the word and the volition to serve God, otherwise, they will lose their crown. The individual who overcomes will be a pillar in the Temple of God never to need to leave. In his joyful activity, he becomes a great support to the rest of Creation and will no longer need to journey to subsequent Creation. He will receive the name of all living spirits in the proximity of God that are called in the name of the Almighty. The New Jerusalem as we will see in chapter 21 is the new creation in Matter arising as a copy of Paradise for mature, redeemed human spirits after the judgment and destruction of the World.

The individual will also receive the name of the Son of the Almighty, a new name or manifestation of Him that is still a secret. This is a sign of belonging to the King of Subsequent Creation and may be a reference to the sealing on the forehead in the name of Immanuel (Ch. 7). Finally, the admonition to remain alert for the Message is again given.