Revelation 3b Commentary
The Jews weren’t wrong. The Messiah would hold the key of David. Jesus has just confirmed it!
The mention of David means conquest, leadership, and authority. It means freedom. If you can remember the oppression under the yoke of Goliath’s Philistines! Dominion would be the word for it in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 1 verse 28.
You would think of David’s conquests as an extension or a re-enactment of Joshua’s battles to possess Canaan. The LORD Jesus wants us to have all these thoughts connected to Him as we navigate the waters of earthly life.
The authority of Jesus is such that He can isolate His own servants from worldwide trouble. It’s just a decision. His Sovereignty is such that the good Church in Smyrna experiences trouble while the good Church in Philadelphia is spared from trouble. Again, it’s just a decision. Sovereignty at play.
The “I know” statement in each letter always confirms Jesus as the all-knowing God. This letter adds another practical trait: Jesus is Almighty – the Master who decides what happens, when, where, and how. Time and space. Both are manipulated by Jesus as He sees fit. But the saint must not forget the perfection, the holiness, and the compassion of the Master.
So some events affect the global population, saints included. There are some other events from which the saints are isolated. Remember how Jacob was isolated from the famine that struck the known world during the time of Joseph in Egypt! Jesus implemented a complex machinery of salvation for Jacob that leaves you breathless!
The church in Philadelphia must know there are open doors for them that no one can shut. There are also closed doors that no one can open. Only Jesus has the key – exclusive ownership!
Tables will turn. To put it mildly, the lowly saint will one day rise to the podium to the applause of everyone. It’s mind-boggling to think of a day when the high and mighty of the world come down at the saint’s feet! Yes, the lowly saint, the scorned and laughing stock of the world. Then we can see who is laughing!
The actual meaning of these images can only be guessed at. Regardless, we know the saint won’t be a fool indefinitely! Glory awaits those with “little strength”.
And what is this new name of God that the saint will get? How do we know! Aren’t the names of God we already have awesomely, wonderfully, and impossibly too much for us! We need new engines to handle all of this!
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