Revelation 3:8 Revelation 3:8 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. I know thy works, etc. This is not only a testimony of Christ’ s omniscience, common to all the Churches, but also of Christ’ s approbation, peculiar to the Church of Smyrna, and this of Philadelphia. Thy works, both the Work of the Ministry in all their Administrations, and the Work of Grace, Faith, Love, Patience, and every good Work that was dine by any Minister or Member of this Church, according to the Will of God. Christ took notice thereof, owns it, acknowledgeth it, and approves of it; yea, and will Crown it with acceptance, and reward of Grace and Glory. See the Exposition upon Revelation 2:2; Revelation 2:9; Revelation 2:19. See KNOLLYS: Revelation 2:2 See KNOLLYS: Revelation 2:9 See KNOLLYS: Revelation 2:19 “ Behold, I have set before thee an open door” By an open door is meant an effectual and successful opportunity and season for the Preaching of the Gospel, and Administration of the Ordinances of God, both for the Edification of the whole Body there implanted, The Ministers of this Church had a door of utterance opened unto them to speak the mystery of Christ, \ and the Members and other Hearers had a door of entrance opened to them to receive the Gospel, not as the Word of Men, but as it is indeed the Word of God, \ so that the Word of God had a free course, and was glorified \ in which respect; it is said, that a great door and effectual was opened unto the Apostle. \ “ And no man can shut it” None could hinder the Progress of the Gospel, nor the Liberty and Privileges of the Church, either to silence her Ministers, (for the Stars are in Christ’ s hand) nor Persecute her Members so as to disperse and scatter them; for Christ walked in the midst of the Golden Candlesticks. And therefore, none could remove this Candlestick out of its place, nor shut this door, which Christ had opened; which was an eminent proof of the power of the key of David, which Christ had, and here exercised in this Church of Philadelphia. “ For thou hast a little strength” , to wit, of Faith and Grace, which was manifested in two particulars; First, In keeping Christ’ s Word. Secondly, In not denying Christ’ s Name. See the Exposition upon Revelation 2:13. See KNOLLYS: Revelation 2:13