Revelation 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
Pηιλαδελπηεια/philadelphos: “Brotherly love” in the original Greek (Strong’s Concordance).
Philadelphia is a city of Lydia in Asia Minor. It is located near the eastern base of Mount Tmolus approximately 25 miles southeast of Sardis. Historically, the city has been hit by multiple significant earthquakes. This is the modern day city of Allah-Shehr, Turkey. To the Muslim, this means “city of God”.
Jesus Christ is going to define a couple aspects of His character.
Holy or ἅγιος/hagios: It means set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. Jesus Christ is different.
True or ἀληθινός/aléthinos: It literally means made of truth. Substantially true, real, or genuine. Jesus Christ is the real deal. He is the essence and integrity of truth.
Definitions provided by Strong’s Concordance.
…the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
The remainder of the verse is a reference to Isaiah 22:22 And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.
In ancient times, officials in charge would literally carry keys tied to a kerchief on their shoulder. Who knows, we may see Jesus with keys tied to his shoulder at some point in the future.
Figuratively, Jesus is the sole authority in charge of the kingdom of Israel. The kingdom lineage goes through the line of David. Responsibility and burden of leadership goes through Him. Christ has the ultimate say and He is control. His decisions are final and He is ultimately responsible.
The same concept is communicated by Jesus to His disciples within the context of the church. Believers or church members will be fellow heirs in the kingdom.
Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Oh, it is coming…
Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.
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