Philadelphia: The Church of Little Power

                Of the seven churches of Asia, Philadelphia is my favorite (Rev 3.7-13). We know nothing from the Scriptures about this church outside of what is said here, but what is said says a lot. So far in this series I have not mentioned the self-descriptions of Christ that are included in each of the letters to the seven churches. Heading up each letter is a different description of Jesus Christ, and those descriptions often relate to what is said to each particular church. In the letter to Philadelphia, for example, Jesus describes himself as “He who is holy, who is true, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one will open” (vs.7). Jesus is the one who has the keys and opens and closes the doors. He is the doorkeeper (of course, we know from John’s Gospel that Jesus is also the Door). So in the very next verse he says to the church of Philadelphia, “I know your deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door, which no one can shut, because you have a little power, and have kept My word, and have not denied My name.” The doorkeeper opened a door for Philadelphia because Philadelphia had a little power, was faithful in keeping his word, and did not deny his name.

                And just what was the open door? We cannot say for sure, but I think he is referring to a door of service, perhaps specifically a door for spreading the gospel (cf. 1 Cor 16.8-9; 2 Cor 2.12; Col 4.2-3). Whatever the door is, however, I’ve always found the reason for it being opened both intriguing and comforting. He didn’t open a door for them because they were so influential, or so big, or so rich, or so skilled. He didn’t open a door for them because they had a powerful and charismatic preacher. He didn’t open a door for them because they had all kinds of programs in place—a great youth program, a great outreach program, a great visitation program, a great benevolence program, etc. etc. He didn’t open a door for them because they had a large contribution and treasury. Not that there is anything wrong with any of those things. It’s just that these are not the reasons God opens doors. He opened a door because they had a little power and were faithful. The “little power” suggests that they were a small church, perhaps poor in earthly resources, and of little account in the eyes of the world. But like the apostle Paul who would only boast in his weaknesses and who was well content with weaknesses, insults, distresses, etc., it was perhaps because they were weak that they were strong (2 Cor 12.5-10). For it is when we have but “little power” that we most readily rely on the infinite power of God. Jesus can then take that little power and do great things with it. That is why this is my favorite of the letters to the seven churches. I can relate to the “little power.” I do not claim to have much to offer God. I don’t have a powerful voice, a powerful personality, a powerful ability. Perhaps my witness is not all that powerful, as I know how much I fall short. But God can do a lot with a little power, and if we are faithful, He will open a door. In fact, maybe it is the faithfulness itself,--as opposed to a little skill or a little talent--that is the “little power.” Sometimes I feel that that is all I have to offer--just my faithfulness. But that is all Jesus wants. And with that, he will open doors.

© 2008 Randy Hohf