What does Revelation 3:7-13 mean?

"" 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; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."" - Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7-13 in the King James Version reads:

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;

8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

This passage is part of a series of letters to seven different churches in the first three chapters of the book of Revelation. These letters were written by the Apostle John while he was exiled to the island of Patmos. Each church is commended for what they were doing right, and challenged on where they were falling short.

In this specific passage, the letter is addressed to the church in Philadelphia. The church is commended for their faithfulness, despite the fact that they have "but little power" (Revelation 3:8). The church of Philadelphia is encouraged to hold fast to what they have, and promised that they will not have their crowns taken away. This is a theme that runs through the book of Revelation: perseverance and faithfulness in the face of persecution and hardship.

One of the key themes in this passage is the concept of the "key of David." This title is used to describe Jesus, and signifies his authority and power. In the Old Testament, King David was given the authority to rule over God's people, and this authority was passed down through his descendants. Jesus, as a descendant of David, inherits this authority and uses it to open and shut doors as he sees fit. This symbolizes his sovereignty and control over the affairs of the church and the world.

The passage also references the synagogue of Satan, which likely represents a group of people who were persecuting the church in Philadelphia. The church is promised that they will be vindicated and those who opposed them will acknowledge God's love for his people. This demonstrates the theme of God's justice and faithfulness to his people in the face of adversity.

Another important aspect of this passage is the promise to make the faithful members of the church in Philadelphia into pillars in the temple of God, and to inscribe upon them the name of God and the city of God. This imagery symbolizes the permanence and immovability of those who remain faithful to God. It also symbolizes the close relationship that the faithful will have with God, being identified with him and belonging to the heavenly city.

Overall, this passage is a message of encouragement and exhortation to a church that was facing persecution and hardship. The themes of faithfulness, perseverance, God's sovereignty, and justice are central to understanding the message of this letter. It serves as a timeless reminder to all believers to remain steadfast in their faith, even in the face of adversity, and to trust in God's promises of vindication and reward for those who remain faithful.

Have questions about Revelation 3:7-13?

Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.

Try Bible Chat Free Download iOS App

Get Our Apps

Bible Art

Scripture illustrations

Bible Chat

Scripture study companion

Bible Widget

Daily verses

Revelation 3:7-13 Artwork

Revelation 3:7-13 - "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'These are 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: "I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 'These are 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: "I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and 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 from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'" - Revelation 3:7-13

Revelation 3:7

Combine the authority theme described in Romans 13:1-7 and Revelation 13:1-10.

Revelation 3:13 - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

Revelation 7:13 - "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?"

Revelation 13:7 - "And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations."

Revelation 7:3 - "Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads."

Revelation 13:3 - "And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast."

Show the Divine Order seen in Romans 131:7 with the Beastly Rule seen in Revelation 13:1-10.

Show the Divine Order of government authority seen in Romans 131:7 contrasted with the Beastly Rule faced in Revelation 13:1-10.

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;"