The Key of David

These days one can take a tour of the seven churches of Revelation. The tour lasts seven nights and eight days and includes Istanbul's St. Sophia Church and several Mosques, as well as a "romantic ferry ride along the Bosphorus." In this blog, however, we are taking a spiritual tour of the churches to learn what the Holy Spirit has to say to the churches of our day. Today's tour is of the church in Philadelphia.

The Ancient City of Philadelphia

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: '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. "'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. Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie--behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.' - Rev 3:7-13 ESV

The one writing "has the key of David." This is a reference to the prophecy of Isaiah about Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah. He replaced Shebna, the comptroller or governor of King Hezekiah's palace. Sheba foolishly favored an alliance with Egypt against Assyria. As the one receiving the "key of David" Eliakim had the power to open and shut, a symbol of his absolute authority as the king's representative (Isa. 22:15-22). Later, when the Assyrian army was sent against Jerusalem in 701 Eliakim was one of the princes who parlayed with the Assyrian officers (2 Ki 18:18-19:37; Isa 36:3-22). He was sent by King Hezekiah to relay the Assyrian threats and to entreat Isaiah's prayers to the LORD on behalf of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Judah. Ultimately Sennacherib's army of 185,000 was destroyed by the LORD Jesus, the Angel of the LORD, and Sennacherib was murdered by his own sons (2 Ki 19:35-37).

The LORD Jesus, the Angel of the LORD, descended from David through the Virgin Mary (Luk 1:31-35; 2:7-11; Matt 1:19-25), and also the Son of God, is the almighty One with the keys of death and Hades (Rev 1:18). To Him belong the keys of the Kingdom of heaven, the keys that unlock or lock the gates leading to heaven and eternal life (Matt 16:19; 18:18; John 20:23). He and He alone has the authority to forgive sins and to welcome His disciples to the eternal palace of the King.

The Philadelphian Christians kept Jesus' word and did not deny His name. They were persecuted by Judaizers, those who would rob them of their faith in Christ and His sacrifice. Once again the false Jews are labeled "the synagogue of Satan" (Rev 2:9) and once again they are called liars who say they are Jews, but are not.

Hold fast, says the Spirit. Don't let anyone seize your crown (2 Tim 2:5; 4:8; 1 Co 9:25). The word for crown is stephanos, the wreath-crown received in athletic contests, a word familiar to Philadelphians since it was famous for such games. Jesus' brother James offers similar encouragement as he writes,

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. - Jas 1:12 ESV

The Philadelphians held fast. They did not let go of their faith in Christ. Their reward awaited them. They were to become eternal pillars in the temple of God (Jer 1:18; Gal 2:9).  Even in this age God has raised up a temple of living stones, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone (Eph 2:20). Again and again the apostles reminded believers that the old temple in Jerusalem has been replaced by a new, living, spiritual house.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." - Isa 28:16; 1Pe 2:4-6 ESV

What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." - Lev 26:12; 2Co 6:15-16 ESV 

So all believers in Christ rejoice that they share the same promises. They have the name of God. the name of Jesus, the name into which they are baptized. This was the commission Jesus gave to His apostles as He left them.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, - Mat 28:19 ESV

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. - Rom 6:3-5 ESV

What a wonder! What a joy! Buried with Christ. Risen with Christ. Eternal stones, even pillars in the Temple of God. Children of God, bearing His name. The Bride of Christ, wed to Him forever and eternally sharing His name. These are the promises given to the believers in Philadelphia, the promises shared by all who have died with Christ and risen again with Him to eternal life.