Brotherly love - Philadelphia

Good morning all! Another wonderful day to be alive in the LORD JESUS CHRIST! God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Okay, John just finished with Sardis and now he is addressing Philadelphia.

Revelation 3:7 "Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia. "This is the message from the one who is holy and true, the one who has the key of David. What he opens, no one can close; and what he closes, no one can open.'"

Philadelphia was located on a hillside about thirty miles southeast of Sardis, the city (modern Alashehir) was founded around 190 BC by Attalus II, king of Pergamos. His unusual devotion to his brother earned the city its name, "brotherly love." The city was an important commercial stop on a major trade route called the Imperial Post Road, a firt-century mail route.

"holy and true" - This is a comon description in Revelation. Christ shares the holy, sinless pure nature of His Father; that is, He is absolutely pure and separate from sin. "TRUE" can refer both to one who speaks truth and to one who is genuine or authentic as opposed to fake.

"the key of David" - Christ has the sovereign authority to control entrance into the kingdom. In 1:18 He is pictured holding the keys to death and hell; here he holds the keys to salvation and blessing.

So what is being said? Talking to the pastor(s) of Philadelphia. Jesus is sinless and true - He knows no sin. He has the keys or can make the judgment of who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. We cannot open any door, only Jesus. We cannot close any door, only Jesus. We are open to come to heaven, or closed and lost forever in hell. Wow! Not much choice there. Follow Jesus! He is the light and the way!
Love you all!

In Christ's Love and Grace
Johnny