Shofar Day 12 Dear Believers In Philadelphia: Digging Deeper
February 3, 2026
Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
Revelation 3:7-11
9 Note this: I will make those from the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews and are not, but are lying—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you. 10 Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.
11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.”
The Original Intent
1) What is the key of David and what does it do? (verse 7)
Jesus tells the church in Philadelphia, “Thus says the Holy One, the true one, the one who has the key of David, who opens and no one will close, and who closes and no one opens”. (Revelation 3:7) Dr. Bruce Hurt explains how the Greek term for key, kleis, “was used as a symbol of authority.” The term key of David is also used in Isaiah 22:22 to represent the governmental authority of King David as the key to David’s house is laid upon the shoulder of his representative so that ”what he opens, no one can close; what he closes, no one can open.”
This verse alludes to “Isaiah’s prophecy of the ultimate Davidic ruler in Isaiah 9:6-7, ‘For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders’.” (Preceptaustin.org) Jesus Himself is the Key of David, the promised heir of King David (Luke 1:32) who rules and reigns forever (Revelation 11:15). It is Jesus who holds the keys, or the authority, over all things in Heaven and on Earth. (Matthew 28:18)
Robert H. Mounce notes that this includes the “undisputed authority to admit or exclude from the New Jerusalem (heaven).” As the Key of David, Jesus unlocks the door to Heaven as invites all to enter. Greg Morse suggests the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross “unbolts heaven for all who believe upon Him. . . Jesus came to turn the knob of salvation and fling wide the door that all who would may enter and never be cast out.” We can rejoice that Jesus made a way for us to reach God by becoming the Way Himself. (John 14:6) When we trust Him through faith, we enter Christ, the Door of Life!
The Everyday Application
1) What is the key of David and what does it do? (verse 7)
When I turned 13, my Dad took me to a “fancy” dinner and gave me a special, key shaped necklace. He said it represented the key to my heart, something I shouldn’t give away to just anyone. As my parents, he and my mom were the keepers of the key until I was older, and I should come to them when I was sure I was ready to give the key away. It was a special moment 12 years later, when I wore that key necklace at my wedding while my Dad walked me down the aisle and, as our pastor, performed part of our ceremony. That key had symbolized love, respect, and honor to me throughout my adolescence, and I was delighted to make it part of my wedding celebration.
In Revelation 3:7, a key was also used symbolically. Here, the key of David represented the power and authority of King Jesus. Bob Sorge asserts that Jesus “is the King who has inherited the throne of His [physical] ancestor, David, and He has the right to administrate and rule over all the affairs of this eternal kingdom. That authority is represented by the key of David which He gained at His resurrection.” Because Jesus is the promised King eternal (1 Timothy 1:17), He holds the keys to death and Hell (Revelation 1:18).
Patti Sauls declares, “Jesus, the key of David, unlocked the shackles of sin and death. He faced and fought death—and won. . . As His people, Jesus frees us from the prison of sin and sorrow and delivers us from brokenness and death itself.” Because Jesus defeated death and covered our sins, we have the joy of eternal life with Him! (1 John 5:11)
The Original Intent
2) What is the hour of testing for all who live on the earth? (verse 10)
Jesus told the church in Philadelphia, “Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth”. (Revelation 3:10) According to David Guzik, “Most Bible scholars see this hour of trial as a prophetic reference to the Messianic woes, the Great Tribulation, which precede Jesus’ earthly kingdom. Jesus promised to keep these Christians from that hour of trial.”
The Great Tribulation is described in Daniel 12:1, Matthew 24:21 and throughout the book of Revelation as a time of unprecedented suffering. Most scholars also agree that those who live on the earth is a term “used to describe a group of people who are often in opposition to God and His purposes, particularly in the context of the end times.” (Biblehub.com)
Other scholars believe the church will be here on earth during this Great Tribulation, while some believe Jesus will come back for the church before this time. Scholars on all sides of the issue use many of the same Bible verses to support their theories, making a conclusive stance more difficult. It can be helpful to take the approach of author Kandima Awendila, who acknowledges, “I may not have all the answers or be fully knowledgeable in this area, but I still trust that God is sovereign and will do as He says He will. In any case, only God is all-knowing. My hope is not in total understanding, but in Jesus Christ.”
No matter where Christians find themselves when the Great Tribulation occurs, believers can be confident in the hope found in Christ alone! (Romans 5:3-5)
The Everyday Application
2) What is the hour of testing for all who live on the earth? (verse 10)
As a ten-year-old child, the extent of my eschatological knowledge was that Jesus would return some day to take Christians to Heaven. That was, until I walked into chapel service at my small Christian school one day, where we were shown a film about end times and tribulation called A Thief in the Night. I walked out of that room with a lot of fear about what the future might hold and how many people I knew might get beheaded for their faith.
I prayed constantly for my little sister, afraid she would accidentally take the mark of the beast because she didn’t understand the meaning. I also avoided the book of Revelation because, if that movie came out of that book, I didn’t want to read it. I was relieved when I finally realized that the book of Revelation produces much more hope than fear! An example is Revelation 3:10, where Jesus promised, “Because you have kept my command to endure, I will also keep you from the hour of testing that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.”
Even though theologians interpret these verses in different ways regarding how the end times will impact Christians, I find it comforting that Jesus prepares the Church for the trials that will come in daily life (John 16:33) and during the Great Tribulation. Scripture is very clear, no matter what we face on earth, we never face it alone. (Joshua 1:9) In every situation, God is our Strength and our Shelter. (Psalm 46:1-2)
The Original Intent
3) What does Jesus mean by saying, “Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown”? (verse 11)
In Revelation 3:11 Jesus admonishes the church in Philadelphia to “Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.” Earlier, Jesus commends them for being obedient, faithful, and perseverant. He urges them to hold on to this active, fruitful faith in God. (John 15:8) Hampton Keathley suggests, “The warning reminds us to live in the light of His coming, to hold fast to Him in faith and service. . . or we will live carelessly, indifferently to our calling and purpose as believers. When that happens we lose our crowns, rewards for faithful service.”
Jesus encourages us to hang on to the crown that is ours for living our lives for Him and following His path of righteousness. This crown is referenced in other places in Scripture. James 1:12 says the crown of life belongs to those who love God and who endure trials. 2 Timothy 4:8 describes the crown of righteousness for those who love God. Even Isaiah 35:10 references a time when God’s people will be crowned with unending joy.
Derek Prime asserts that God’s promise of a crown “is a picture of eternal life.” The crown is the promise of victory in Jesus for those who follow in the faith. (1 Corinthians 15:57) David Platt argues that Jesus promises to come in all His glory “to consummate [His] kingdom on this earth. But it’s not just [His] glory, it’s your glory that’s coming. Your crown, your inheritance.” We can anticipate receiving the crown of life if we faithfully hold fast to Christ, the One who holds onto us.
The Everyday Application
3) What does Jesus mean by saying, “Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown”? (verse 11)
A recent viral video showed a race competitor slow down and pump her fist, believing she would cross the finish line in 3rd place, only to be overtaken by another competitor in the last few feet of the race. Had she continued her current pace and effort, she would have won the bronze medal. Instead she let up, and her award was given to someone else.
Jesus warns of something similar in Revelation 3:11, when he exhorts the church in Philadelphia, “Hold on to what you have, so that no one takes your crown.” Jesus was pleased with the active faith of the church in Philadelphia and He wanted them to continue pursuing Him with faithfulness and intensity. He promised them a good reward for their faithful service, a crown of life! (1 Corinthians 9:25)
David Guzik asserts, “This was a crown of victory. Jesus encouraged His saints to finish their course with victory, to ‘play the second half’ just as strongly as they ‘played the first half.’” It is difficult to endure hardships and keep our focus on God, but He is where we find help in our times of trouble. (Psalm 121:1) God gives us strength (Isaiah 40:29) and grace to endure and to overcome (Hebrews 4:16). When we do, He rewards us with the crown of life!
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