To the Church in Philadelphia

⁷ “Write this to the ·angel [messenger; see 1:20] of the church in ·Philadelphia [a city in the Roman province of Lydia in western Asia Minor]:

“This is what the One who is holy and true, who holds the key of David [^Cthe resurrected Jesus; holding the key of David signifies access to the king; Is. 22:22], says. When he opens a door, no one can close it. And when he closes it, no one can open it [^CJesus controls access to God]. ⁸ I know ·what you do [your works]. I have put an open door before you, which no one can close. I know you have little ·strength [power], but you have ·obeyed my teaching [^Lkept my word] and ·were not afraid to speak [^Lhave not denied] my name. ⁹ Those in the synagogue ·that belongs to Satan [^Lof Satan] say they are Jews, but they are not true Jews; they are liars. I will make them come before you and bow at your feet, and they will ·know [acknowledge; learn] that I have loved you.