Revelation 3:7

The Explanation

Far away, in a city called Philadelphia, lived a small group of people who loved Jesus. They were not rich. They were not powerful. But Jesus had something important to tell them.

Jesus sends them a letter, and in that letter he describes himself in a special way. He says he is holy and true. He says he holds the key of David. Do you know what a key does? A key opens doors. And a key can lock doors too.

Jesus says, "he who opens and no one can shut, and who shuts and no one opens." Imagine the biggest door you can think of, the door of a castle, so heavy that ten strong men could not move it. Now imagine Jesus holding the key to that door. When he opens it, nobody, not even a giant, can slam it shut again. When he closes it, nobody can force it open.

That is a big promise. Jesus is not just a king with a small key to his own house. He has the key to everything that matters, even the door into God's kingdom.

What Does This Mean?

Think about how it feels when a door is locked and you cannot get in. Maybe you have stood outside, knocking, waiting, wondering if anyone will let you in. That feeling of being shut out is not nice at all.

The people in Philadelphia were probably not important or impressive to others. But Jesus was telling them something wonderful. He holds the key. And when Jesus decides to open a door for you, nobody can slam it shut. Not an enemy, not a bully, not even something as strong as a dragon.

This means that the people who trust Jesus do not need to be afraid of being left outside. If Jesus says "come in," you are in. Nobody can push you back out again.

The Common Thread

Long ago, there was a king named David. God made a promise to David, that his family would have a throne and a kingdom forever. That key of David was like the key to God's royal house, the right to rule and to let people in or out.

Jesus says he has that very key now. That means Jesus is the one all along that the promise to David was pointing toward. Jesus is the true King, and he holds the key to God's house. When Jesus opens the door of heaven for someone, it is open for good.

This is the same Jesus who later in this book says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." He does not force his way in. He knocks, and he invites. But once you open to him, and he welcomes you in through his door, no power in heaven or earth can throw you back out.

For You

Have you ever worried that you are too small, or too quiet, or not important enough for Jesus to notice? The people in Philadelphia had "a little power." They were not the strongest group. But Jesus still gave them an open door.

That is good news for you too. You do not have to be the strongest, smartest, or bravest for Jesus to open his door to you. You simply hold on to him, like holding tight to a hand in a crowd so you do not get lost.

Tonight, you could pray and thank Jesus that he holds the key. You could ask him to help you trust him, even on days when you feel small or scared. And you could remember, if Jesus has opened a door for you, nobody, nobody at all, can slam it shut.

Talk About It

Why do you think Jesus wanted the people in Philadelphia to know he held the key of David?

Can you think of a time you felt shut out, and how would it feel to know Jesus opens a door nobody can close?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus, thank you that you hold the key. Thank you that when you open a door for us, nobody can shut it again. Help us to trust you, even when we feel small. Amen.