A God-Given Opportunity

The Book of Revelation gives a brief description of the church in the last days. The second and third chapters describe seven different churches, portraying both their strengths and weaknesses. This is Jesus’ message to the church of Philadelphia:

“And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name”‘” (Revelation 3:7–8).

“He who opens”

In the phrase, “He who opens and no man shuts,” the word opens signifies that God is opening the door of opportunity, with the key being the symbol of His authority.

Paul spoke of this when he wrote, “When I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel,. . .a door was opened to me by the Lord” (2 Corinthians 2:12).

Jesus is essentially telling the church of the last days that He is going to open doors for us as never before. Certainly that is the case today. Just look at the opening of doors for missionaries to formerly closed countries, the increased use of computer and video technology to reach people around the globe, and other new opportunities.

“A little strength”

This alludes to a sick person coming back to life. In other words, this particular church is getting back to the strength it once had in its early roots and regaining its health. It is not some super church taking dominion over the world. Likewise, there is hope and opportunity for the church today if we regain our spiritual health and vitality by returning to the basic essentials needed for a dynamic church.