Revelation 3. 8. ‘See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.’ Christ writing to the disciples in Philadelphia, a city located in what is now known as Turkey’

THE CITY: It’s name means ‘Brotherly Love’ and it was built for the purpose of exporting Greek culture to the rest of the World. The city was subject to volcanic activity and its fertile soil was ideal for growing grapes. Idols to Greek gods littered the city, the principle one being the god of wine. Hot springs in the area attracted the sick in search of healing.

THE CHURCH: Probably birthed by missionaries converted through Paul’s ministry in the area. Acts 19. 10. ‘All those who lived in Asia heard the Word of the Lord.’ The church itself was small/struggling suffering from an inferiority complex. Yet the least church among the seven churches received the greatest personal revelation of Jesus Christ. Revelation 3. 7. Today, the city which goes by a different name, boasts a Christian congregation, which means they obeyed the call of Christ and went through the Open Door of opportunity! The last book of the Bible begins with a revelation of the risen Lord Jesus Christ. (Chapter one) Followed by a picture of the spiritual health of seven church scattered throughout Turkey.(Chapter 2-3) Finally, Revelation ends with a prophetic picture of the future, right up to the return of Christ. (Chapter 4-22)

Revelation 3. 7. Christ introduces Himself to the disciples in Philadelphia as: ‘He that has the key of David, Who opens and no man shuts, and shuts and no man opens.’ Christ is the supreme Keeper of the Keys. Not everyone or anyone is a key holder. Keepers of keys are responsible people, a sign that they are now independent, have authority, owners of property, and can be trusted. Christ is experienced in all these areas. He has conquered in life and in death. He has been given all authority by God, the Father. Christ created, owns, upholds, controls and has invested in this planet of ours.

Revelation 1. 18. Christ speaking: ‘I have the keys of Death.’ Hebrews 2. 14. (The Message) ‘By embracing death, taking it into Himself, Christ destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who are scared of death.’ Christ transformed the cul-de-sac of death into a highway to Heaven.

Revelation 1. 18. ‘I have the keys of Hell.’ Ephesians 4. 9-10. NIV. ‘Christ descended to the depths of Earth. He also ascended higher than all the Heavens.’ Christ, the Keeper of the keys has all authority to open and shut doors.

Revelation 3. 7. ‘And what Christ shuts, no one can open.’ Christ has a reputation of shutting doors. Genesis 7. 16. ‘The Lord shut the door to Noah’s ark.’  Matthew 25. 10. ‘The Bridegroom arrived, and those who were expecting him went in with him to the wedding, and the door was shut.’ Christ’s invitation to join Him in Heaven for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb is not open ended – it is date stamped.

Revelation 3. 7. ‘What Christ opens, no one can shut.’ Christ has the authority to open doors. Babylon was a city 45 miles in circumference, with 100 gates made of brass and iron. In Isaiah 45. 2. God spoke to Cyrus the Persian king: ‘I will go before you and break in pieces the gates of brass and iron.’ The Babylonian empire was conquered by the Persians in October 539BC. That signalled the release of the Jews after 70 years in captivity. During his first missionary journey Paul wrote: ‘A great door for effective work has opened to me here in Ephesus.’ 1 Corinthians 16. 9. Paul went on to remain in the city for 30 months. God has constructed a Heavenly city, the New Jerusalem. It has twelve gates: ‘And the gates shall not be shut at all.’ Revelation 21. 25. Revelation 3. 7. ‘I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.’. Here is Christ’s vote of confidence in a small struggling congregation. Not one of us has been written off by Jesus Christ. The Open Door, speaks of welcome, access, a way through, no barriers, an exit, an entrance, opportunities.

Philadelphia – the church with an open door. In stark contrast Laodecia was the church with the closed door. Jesus wrote: ‘Look, I stand at the door and knock.’ Revelation 3. 20. Christ never intended that His Church should be a closed shop, but a place of welcome to the whosoever, a sending out congregation. Note Christ’s final word to His disciples: ‘Go into all the World and share the Good News of Jesus Christ to every person.’ Mark 16. 15. Churches should reflect an open Heaven. Christ placed before the disciples in Philadelphia a door THAT NO ONE COULD SHUT. In other words, ‘Don’t be afraid to go through the door of opportunity for I will take care of the opposition’. Romans 8. 31. LB ‘If God is on our side, who can ever be against us?’  Luke 12. 32. Christ speaking: ‘Fear not little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.’ For the church in Philadelphia – Opportunity Knocks! The word ‘Opportunity’ is the picture of a ship setting sail to take advantage of wind and tide to arrive safely in harbour.

Opportunity knocks for all of us in this coming year of 2010. Quote: ‘If you’re not lighting any candles, don’t complain about the dark.’ The city of Philadelphia was built in 140BC for the sole purpose of exporting Greek culture to the rest of the World. In His letter to the Church, the risen Christ took that principle to a higher level – challenging the local disciples to take the Good News beyond the four walls of the church building.

Quote: ‘In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.’ (Albert Einstein)

Quote: ‘Three things do not come back: The spoken word, the spent arrow, and the lost opportunity.’

Gladys Alyward, 20th century missionary to China was born in London, England. In 1930 she spent her entire life savings on a railway ticket to North China. There were no roads in those parts, only tracks. The house Gladys rented was situated on the main route through the town. In order to reach the many passers by with the Gospel, the house was converted to become The Inn of the Sixth Happiness. The Inn offered a good meal and clean accommodation to the mule trains that passed by. During their overnight stay, the men listened to stories from the Bible as told by the missionaries. God had opened a door of opportunity in Northern China in the 20th century that no one could shut. In this coming year, don’t be a blinkered Christian. Stay awake, stay alert, keep on your toes. Be on the look out for God given opportunities. Always be available!

CLIMAX: In 1968 the Swiss dominated the World wide watch making market, with 65% of the market share and 80% of the profits. In 1967, a Swiss designer invented the quartz watch, a 1000 times more accurate than a conventional one. The Swiss laughed at the idea, but the Japanese bought the idea and grasped the opportunity. The rest is history.
Revelation 3. 7-8. ‘Christ holds the key of David. What He opens, no one can shut, and what He shuts, no one can open. See, I have set before you, and you and me an open door of opportunity no one can shut.’
Let’s grasp this God given opportunity with both hands and seize the moment!