In the book of Revelation the writer provides a snapshot of seven churches. One of them

Philadelphia was located in an earthquake zone. But their

reputation had little to do with earthquakes. They stood on solid ground with Jesus.

In fact, Jesus said, I know your good deeds. Behold, I have put before you an open door which no one can shut.

Today on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall continues this study in Revelation chapter 3, beginning at

verse 7. In this study, we'll discover that God is opening doors even when we fail to see them.

The Lord says, I am the one who holds the key of the kingdom and when I open no one can

shut and when I shut no one is able to open I'm in I'm in control. I'm the one who provides this kind of opportunity,

this insurmountable, this unbelievable opportunity before you and at the same time I also am fully

aware and in charge of the closed doors. Now we like being in charge. We like having the keys. But when it comes to

spiritual things and spiritual development and the development of our lives personally, that's God's charge.

He's the authority there.

And so this one who is all of these things I've described, holy and true and sovereign, begins verse 8 by saying,

I know, I know all about you. I know your needs. But what specifically was

true of them.

The one who is holy and true and sovereign first describes them as a church of enormous

opportunities.

I put before you an open door which no one can shut. Ancient

Philly was the crossroads of three entire regions yet to be fully cultivated and developed.

It was through Philadelphia, the language, the linguofranca of Greek,

would pass.

And spiritually, what would pass and spiritually what a marvelous opportunity they had in carrying the

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