In his message to the church in Philadelphia, Jesus emphasizes the steadfastness of believers and the faithful proclamation of the word of God. Jesus promises citizenship in the new heavenly Jerusalem to those who continue in the faith.

Jesus not only holds the key as mentioned in Revelation 1:18, but also closes and opens (Revelation 3:7). “ The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.”

The teachers of the law, on the other hand, took away the key of knowledge. They prevent people from being forgiven. Jesus says in Luke 11:52, “Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”

Like in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:8-9), in which five have not to give away their oil, in Revelation 3:11 believers are asked to be careful that no one takes their crown of glory from them.