2007-2-3 05:21:00
We move to the sixth stage which is called Philadelphia:
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; (Revelation 3:7)
The seeker just about gave up in Sardis, or maybe he did for a period of time, but, like the prodigal son, he roused himself and returned to the house of his father and once again enjoys communion.
Philadelphia comes from the Greek PHILADELPHOS which means "brotherly love" or "one who loves his brother." This is a stage where the seeker rises above self pity and learns to see the glass half full rather than half empty. He smells the roses and basks in the love of God and shares brotherhood and love with all who will receive.
After he weathers the dark night of the soul and finds himself still standing in the strength of the God within he again hears the voice. It tells him that the inner Christ "is holy" and "true." What's the significance of this? It is very significant for before this stage on the path the seeker doubted the voice from time to time. "Is it really the voice of God (holy) and can I depend upon it?" (true) is a phrase that came to him from repeatedly and almost paralyzed him in Sardis.
Finally, when he communes in the true spirit of love he senses from the core of his being that the voice is indeed good and holy, as well as true and dependable. As he reflects back he realizes that it has never let him down. He knows now that there have been times he substituted his own desire and lower self for the voice, but now that the communion is more consistent, he realizes the difference between the two and just how reliable the inner Christ is.
Next from within he hears the Master say that he has "the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth."
What is the Key of David?
It is obvious when we realize that king David had the key to Jerusalem, the holy city of the Jews. He could open the door to admittance or he could close it and refuse entry.
There is also a Key of David to the kingdom, or city of God within the soul. The Inner Christ can open the door and the pilgrim can bask in his presence and no person from the outside can interfere or stop the process. The door can also be shut on another person who is not yet ready for full communion. If he has to spend some more time in the dark night then no one can open the door until the needed lessons are learned and the inner Master turns on the light and dispels the night.
I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Revelation 3:8)
The seeker, who has entered through the gates of Philadelphia, has learned the lessons of unselfish love and finds an open door set before him. In the past it seemed more like a swinging door to which the entrance was somewhat random, but not this time. This time the door is so powerfully open that "no man can shut it." At long last he can look within at will and consistently commune with the inner God and receive answers and guidance.
The reasons he is able to do this are three:
The seeker may think he is powerful from time to time and may receive significant praise from his associates, but the inner voice puts him in his place. He has some power, but just a "little" in comparison to a Master or what he will posses as he progresses further. Fortunately, at this point, he is not misusing his power and it is assisting him in standing and focusing in the light and love of the soul.
His right use of power was to listen to the inner voice and take it seriously. He listens and follows that which he receives to the best of his ability.
A name signifies a purpose. When the seeker obtains an open door to the inner world he discovers a great purpose of which he is to be a part. To detour from that purpose is to deny the name of the God within. After his dark night the seeker has learned to stay on course and thus honors the name or purpose of God.
Here are the next verses to consider:
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Revelation 3:8-10
There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart.
Celia Thaxter
Copyright © 2007 by J J Dewey, All Rights Reserved