Revelation 3:7

Here we have the sixth epistle indited by Christ, written and sent by St. John to the church of Philadelphia, which name signifies brotherly love, and we may reasonably suppose that grace of love, unity, and concord, was eminently found with and amongst the members of this church, and had. mighty influence upon them in the practice of universal godliness, in as much as we find not this church blamed by Christ for any thing; not that she was wholly faultless, and altogether unblamable, but being free from those gross miscarriages which were in other Christians, and abounding with love to Christ, and one towards another. Christ graciously passes by and overlooks her failings and infirmities, and only proclaims her virtues and good works. Sincerity and love, though they do not blind Christ's eye, that he cannot see sin in his people, yet it causes him to look upon their failings with. pitiful and compassionate eye. This Philadelphia is said to be. mean city, not far from Sardis; yet here Christ had. very eminent church, not faulted for any thing: it is not the grandeur, but graciousness, of. people, that renders. place renowned.

In this epistle to the Philadelphians, we have these particulars observable, 1. lofty description of Christ, by whose authority it was written: He is holy and true, holy in himself essentially, holy in respect to us communicatively, the author, approver, dispenser of all holiness; and true, that is,. lover and approver of truth. This title assures the church of the truth of all his predictions, promises,and threatenings; these two titles, holy and true, are generally ascribed to God in the Old Testament; these Christ, in the New Testament, often attributes to himself, which he had never done had he not been truly and really God.

The other part of the description of Christ follows, That hath the key of David, that is, of the church, of which David was. type: by the key power is denoted; Christ, as Mediator, has an absolute power over the church, being lord and head of it, and has committed. ministerial power of the keys to the governors and pastors of it; and having this key of the church in his own hand, by virtue of it he opens, and none can shut; and shutteth and none can open: that is, he can open, when he will, the door of success to his faithful ministers, by opening the hearts of his people through the power of converting grace, and no man can shut that door which Christ will thus open; and again, when he shuts the finally impenitent out of the church and out of heaven, no man can open and bring them in against his will: He openeth, and none can shut: he shutteth, and none can open.

Observe, 2. The special favour which Christ indulged to this church, namely, the favour of success in her gospel administrations: Behold,. have set before thee an open door. Under the metaphor of an open door, the success and progress of the gospel, in the preaching and dispensation of it, is shadowed forth; it is. special favour from God when he opens. door of advantage to us, to do good, the least good, either by convincing and converting sinners, or by edifying, strengthening, and comforting saints, and when God is pleased to open such door, none shall shut it.

Observe, 3. The commendation given by Christ of this church, Thou hast. little strength,. little spiritual inward strength, and but few external and outward helps and advantages; yet hast thou kept my word, my doctrine of faith, and my precepts for holy walking, these hast thou kept pure; and hast not denied my name, but adhered constantly to the profession of me and my gospel, notwithstanding all the temptations thou hast met with, by sufferings and reproaches.

Note here, How Christ took notice of that little measure of strength which this church had, and accepted it: weak grace, if sincere, shall always find acceptance with Christ; thou hast. little strength, and hast kept my word.

Observe, 4. The gracious promise made by Christ unto this church, that her enemies should submit themselves unto her, and worship before her feet: Behold, says Christ, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which falsely call themselves Jews;. will make them, namely, by the power of my grace, to come and worship before thy feet; they shall reverence thee, and pay. civil respect to thee, and shall know that. have loved thee.

Learn hence, That the submission which the enemies of the church shall be forced to make unto her, by the power of Christ, is great and wonderful.