Rev 3:7KJV 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; Rev 3:8 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.
This passage is the opening line of the message to the church at Philadelphia. God had set an open door before them. This was a message to a church in a time of difficulty and opposition. This was a faithful church, but it was not an easy situation. Yet, in the middle of this opposition, God said He had set an open door before them. What do we think of when we hear “an open door”? Open door means opportunity. God had set opportunity before them, even in a difficult time. The opportunity they had did not depend on their situation. We can have hope. It is God who opens the door. It wasn’t just favorable circumstances. It wasn’t their own strength “ I know you have but little strength”. It is God who opens, and no one can shut. Our God reigns omnipotent. Our God is sovereign in power. Our God is an awesome God. This open door implies an opportunity to work in the kingdom of God, an opportunity to do good, to further the spread of the gospel. Keep your faith. Keep your hope. Stay faithful. Revival has always come at a dark hour.