Rev 3:7-13 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 3:7-13: 3:7-13 The letter to the church in Philadelphia encourages Christians who seem to be weak and powerless to realize that their true strength is in Christ. This comforting message includes no words of disapproval. The Kingdom of God does not depend on human strength or wisdom but on God’s power and authority. 3:7 Philadelphia was situated in the foothills of the Timolus Mountains, open to fertile plains in the east. The city repeatedly experienced severe earthquakes that left it weak and impoverished. • This verse quotes phrases from Isa 22:22 . • key of David: Jesus the Messiah is successor to David’s royal line. As the gatekeeper of heaven, Jesus has authority to open and close the way to heaven (cp. Matt 16:19 ).

Summary for Rev 3:7-13: 3:7-13 ^a The letter to the church in Philadelphia encourages Christians who seem to be weak and powerless to realize that their true strength is in Christ. This comforting message includes no words of disapproval. The Kingdom of God does not depend on human strength or wisdom but on God’s power and authority. 3:7 ^b Philadelphia was situated in the foothills of the Timolus Mountains, open to fertile plains in the east. The city repeatedly experienced severe earthquakes that left it weak and impoverished.

• This verse quotes phrases from Isa 22:22 ^c.

• key of David: Jesus the Messiah is successor to David’s royal line. As the gatekeeper of heaven, Jesus has authority to open and close the way to heaven (cp. Matt 16:19 ^d).
3:8 ^e I know: See study note on 2:2-3.

• little strength: Like the city of Philadelphia itself (see study note on 3:7), the Christians there were not prosperous, and they lacked status and power. But Christ had opened a door for them (see 3:7 ^f) to claim his status and authority. In spite of their weakness, the Philadelphia church obeyed Christ’s word and did not deny him under pressure.
3:9 ^g those who belong to Satan’s synagogue: The Christians in Philadelphia had suffered maltreatment by anti-Christian Jews (see study note on 2:9).

• bow down at your feet: In the ancient world, captives were often forced to prostrate themselves before their conquerors (see Isa 49:23 ^h; 60:14 ⁱ). The church’s human enemies will ultimately acknowledge that Christians are the ones God loves.
3:10 ^j Jesus will protect Christians who persevere through trials (cp. Isa 43:2-4 ^k; John 10:27-28 ^l; 1 Cor 10:13 ^m; Heb 6:18-19 ⁿ).

• The great time of testing refers to the end times, when the world experiences tribulation.
3:11 ^o Christians must hold on; they must persevere in difficulty so they will not lose their crown, their expected reward.
3:12 ^p Victorious Christians are secure in God’s household since, like pillars, ... they will never have to leave it.

• The name of ... God that is inscribed on them portrays God’s ownership and the security Christians thus enjoy (see 7:4 ^q; 14:1 ^r).

• The new Jerusalem is not a realm constructed by humans, but is God’s gift from heaven (21:2-10 ^s).

• A new name was a sign of God’s blessing (see also 2:17 ^t); Abram, Jacob, Simon, and others were given new names (Gen 17:5 ^u; 32:28 ^v; John 1:42 ^w).