“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 3:8).
Jesus spoke no rebuke to the Philadelphian church. Rather, He commends them for keeping His word, for not denying His name and for their endurance of faith. They listened to the Word and followed it, they held fast to the name of Christ, even when others were putting pressure on them to do otherwise, and their faith held firm through trials and adversity. Although they had a stellar faith, there was a weakness in the church. They only had a “little strength.” Is a little enough?
This congregation was likely small and its impact on their region minuscule. They had no prestige or wealth. They seemed outnumbered and overpowered by contrary forces. Therefore, Jesus comes to them as the holy and true one. His divinity shines forth to them, as does His ironclad faithfulness. This addressed their little strength, for no matter how small, insignificant or weak they were, their Lord was all powerful, and would faithfully supply their lack. Not only that, but Jesus comes to them as the one with the key of David. The one who opens doors, in which no other can shut. Therefore, what God needs from us is our faith, not our strength.
We think of Moses who had an ordinary staff in his hand. But with that staff, God did mighty things. Gideon had only a few pitchers and torches, and yet God wrought a great victory through them. A little boy had only five loaves and two fishes, yet Jesus fed well over five thousand people with them. We may get discouraged with the little we have, but we shouldn’t. Why? Because a little in the hand of God is much. So, don’t focus on your little! Rather, focus on the almightiness of Christ.
What door did He open? The door of heaven is one (Revelation 4:1). It is through this door that we have direct access to God’s audience and His great salvation. Jesus Himself being the door, who has opened the door of salvation through His atoning death, resurrection and ascension. He has the key of David, that is full access to the storehouse of heaven. In Him we have every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). And through this He opens doors for ministry and service, so we can bring the gospel to others.
The New Testament uses the language of opened doors to denote missionary opportunities (Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 16:8-9; 2 Cor. 2:12; Col. 4:3). Christ opens such doors and will empower us to go through them. We, as a church or as an individual Christian, may feel weak and incapable of bringing the gospel to others. You may have little resources, or be in ill health, or are discouraged by others to participate in ministry. You may feel insignificant or ill equipped. Don’t be discouraged by such! Rather, put your trust in Christ and in His inexhaustible resources and power. If you do, your little will be much.
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