Open Door Metaphor
?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. 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.? (Revelation 3:7-8, NIV)
In other placed in scripture, the open door commonly refers to evangelism. However, this scripture is more likely not referring to the common open door metaphor found elsewhere in the New Testament.
“because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” (1 Corinthians 16:9, NIV)
” Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me,” (2 Corinthians 2:12, NIV)
” Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” (Colossians 4:2-3, NIV)
Many teachers continue to translate this open door metaphor in Revelation as a door to evangelism. However, the interpretation is more likely referring to the gauranteed salvation of this church that has been faithful. The phrase “What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” is a reference to Isaiah 22:22
“I will clothe him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him. He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I will drive him like a peg into a firm place; he will be a seat of honor for the house of his father.” (Isaiah 22:21-23, NIV)
In Revelation, Jesus seems to be making a reference back to Isaiah, where there was a firm seat of honor created. Likewise, Christ’s message to the Church who has remained faithful and not denied His name is an open door into His kingdom. A gauranteed place of honor in his kingdom.
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 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. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. ” (Revelation 3:11-13, NIV)
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