And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Philadelphia - in Lydia, 28 miles southeast of Sardis, built by Attalus Philadelphus, king of Pergamus, who died 138 AD It was nearly destroyed by an earthquake in the reign of Tiberius (Tacitus, 'Annals,' 2:, 47). The connection of this church with Jews causes the address to have an Old Testament colouring in the images. It and Smyrna alone of the seven, the most afflicted, receive unmixed praise.
He that is holy - as in the Old Testament, "the Holy One of Israel." Jesus and the God of the Old Testament are one. God alone is absolutely holy х hagios (G40), separate from evil, perfectly hating it]. In contrast to "the synagogue of Satan" (Revelation 3:9).
True, х aleethinos (G228)] - VERY God, as distinguished from false gods, and from all who say that they are what they are not (Revelation 3:9); real, genuine. He perfectly realizes all that is involved in the name, GOD, Light (1 John 2:8), Bread, the Vine (John 6:32; John 15:1), as distinguished from typical, partial, imperfect realizations of the idea. His nature answers to His name (John 17:3; 1 Thessalonians 1:9). х Aleethes (G227), on the other hand, is truth-speaking, truth-loving (John 3:33; Titus 1:2).]
He that hath the key of David - antitype of Eliakim, to whom the "key" - emblem of authority 'over the house of David'-was transferred from Shebna, who was removed from the office of chamberlain or treasurer, as unworthy of it. Christ, the Heir of the throne of David, shall supplant all less worthy stewards who abuse their trust in God's spiritual house, and 'shall reign over the house of Jacob,' literal and spiritual (Luke 1:32-33) 'forever,' "as a Son over His own house" (Hebrews 3:2-6). It rests with Christ to open or shut the heavenly palace, deciding who is, and who is not, to be admitted. He also opens or shuts the prison, having the keys of hell (the grave) and death (Revelation 1:18). The power of the keys was given to Peter and the other apostles only when, and in so far as, Christ made him and them infallible. Whatever degrees of this power may have been committed to ministers, the supreme power belongs to Christ alone. Thus Peter rightly opened the Gospel door to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1-48; Acts 11:17-18; especially Acts 14:27). But he wrongly tried to shut it again (Galatians 2:11-18). Eliakim had 'the key of the house of David laid upon his shoulder.' Christ, the antitypical David, Himself has the key of supreme 'government upon His shoulder' (Isaiah 9:6). His attribute accords with His promise. Though "the synagogue of Satan," false Jews (Revelation 3:9), try to "shut" the "door" which I 'set open before thee,' "no man can shut it" (Revelation 3:8).
Shutteth. So Vulgate and Syriac; but 'Aleph (') A B C, Coptic, Origen, 'shall shut.' And no man openeth. B 'Aleph ('), Coptic version, Origen, 'shall open;' A C, Vulgate, "openeth."