We needed to collect a certificate someone kindly printed for me this morning. Once we were ready, I unlocked the backdoor and turned the handle … but the door would not open. I tried again and again, but the lock mechanism would not allow the top plunger to retract. Fortunately, I had a plan B. I exited out the front door, opened the garage, and then tried to open the backdoor … and it worked. The outside lever is opening fine, but the inside lever is not! I removed the inside lever and found the square shaft linking the two handles had moved from the inside to the outside. Possibly, the shaft is too short. I cut two short pieces of wooden dowel, put them into the levers on both sides, replaced the levers onto the door, and then the lock worked perfectly on both sides!
I was too blessed to be able to firstly open the door from the outside and then repair the mechanism. I recall a few years ago when a friend could not open her flat’s door. Her key broke off in the lock and the flat did not have another door. After trying to open the lock, we needed to get the services of a locksmith. He struggled for about an hour but eventually managed to cut the old locking mechanism out and replace it with a new one.
Are you aware that heaven has only one door? This means there is no back door for souls to slip in unnoticed! There is one door and that door is seen by God all the time.
Rev 3:7 “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 upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
“11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him 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 him my new name. 13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
Remember that all the letters in Revelations 2 and 3 are messages from the Lord Jesus to the pastors of the churches. In this letter to the pastor at Philadelphia, Jesus gives no harsh word or rebuke. Although they are weak, they have remained true to Jesus (v8). They have opposition (v9) who will at Jesus’ instruction fall before this weak, struggling church that confesses that Jesus loves them. And because of their faithfulness, the Lord Jesus will keep them during the ‘hour’ of testing that will come to all humans (v10).
Jesus says He holds the key of David. Remember David was the great king of Israel. To him God promised there will always be one sitting on his throne forever. “Forever” would mean an eternal King, and this we see in Jesus, for His earthly genealogy runs through David. The Kingly baton is passed on to Him. The key of David was the sign of power and authority over the people of Israel. This passes onto Jesus who now holds this key. He has power and authority over the people of God … and notice that what He opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open (v8a). This reminds us that Jesus has the full and final authority of who will enter heaven and who will be left outside. Entrance into the Paradise of God is through the Lord Jesus alone.
Not only does He know their deeds (v8), He knows their obedience to faithful patient endurance throughout the trials they face (v10). For their encouragement Jesus will be coming for them soon (v11) and He will make them “pillars” in the temple of God … never to leave the temple (v12). This means heaven is permanent, just as the pillar of the temple are permanent! Look again at verse 8: “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” This open door is their encouragement to continue, to persevere, to be faithful, and to push on without ceasing. The picture is almost that the door is open and they can see inside. Better yet, Christ on the Throne can see them on the outside. He says, “Don’t fear, I won’t close the door on you. I can see you … I’ll fetch you … you are mine!”
Is that not an encouragement and a motivation to you, Christian? Keep going, keep serving, keep being faithful, keep giving out the Gospel, keep honouring the name of Jesus. You won’t be lost; the door is open. Jesus sees you, and you are never out of His eyesight. He knows where you are, what you are going through … and keeps that door open to let you know that He knows all about you. Yes, you might be like this church, having little strength. You might be weak in body. You might struggle with relationships. Your finances might be running out. But He knows and He sees because that door is open for Him to see … and it’s open for you to know He sees everything.
Dear Lord Jesus, what an awesome thought … You see me all the time. Nothing about me escapes You. Graciously help me to remain true and faithful till You take me to be with You forever! Amen.