“I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8 ESV)
The apostle John recorded Christ’s message to the church in Philadelphia, a real first-century congregation located in Asia Minor in what is now modern-day Turkey. This church was probably small and socially insignificant, yet Christ Himself testified that they had “kept [His] word” and had “not denied [His] name.” That Christ mentioned their “little power” probably referred not to spiritual weakness, but to their humble size and limited influence. Still, they had remained steadfast under pressure.
The risen Christ declared that He had set before this faithful church “an open door,” a divinely granted opportunity that no enemy could shut. This door pointed both to gospel mission and to kingdom assurance. Even amid opposition, Jesus gave them unhindered access to advance His Kingdom and the firm promise of future vindication. Their steadfast obedience marked them as a church that Christ approved—strengthened not by numbers or cultural clout, but by the sovereign authority of the One who opens and shuts doors according to His will.
Like the believers in ancient Philadelphia, we may often feel that we have “little power.” Our churches may seem small, our influence limited, and our culture resistant. Yet Christ is the One who grants the church an “open door.” He alone directs gospel opportunities in our city. Our goal is not to be successful, but to remain faithful—to keep His Word, to hold fast His name, and to persevere in proclaiming a clear and biblical gospel. For we cannot open and close the doors to people’s hearts. Only Christ has the keys to those doors. But we can be faithful to bear witness of the Good News to everyone that hears Christ knocking and opens their heart’s door to receive Him.
Has Christ set before us an open door? Are we seeing a season of increased gospel receptivity in our city? I think we are. I have been a pastor for over three decades and I have seen seasons when hearts seemed closed and when they’ve seemed more open. And I’ve learned that when Christ gives us an open door, as He seems to be doing now, we must greatly increase our gospel efforts. Yet regardless of the times, let us remain faithful to “preach the word in season and out of season” (1 Tim.4:2) and leave the results up to God.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help us to be a faithful people who walk through the doors that Your Son opens. Strengthen us to persevere, to keep Your Word, and to boldly proclaim the gospel where You have placed us. Give us confidence in Christ’s sovereign authority and assurance in His unfailing provision. In Jesus’ name, amen.