What is the “key of David” and what does it symbolize?
The book of Revelation reads, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, ‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, 'He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.'” (Rev. 3:7)
The term “key of David” appears only twice in the Bible. It is found in the book of Revelation (above cited) and in the book of Isaiah. Biblical usage of key indicates ‘access’, thus it means having control over that which he has authority. Therefore, having the key of David would give one access and authority over David’s domain, i.e., Jerusalem, the City of David, and the kingdom of Israel. This is the inspiration in the book of prophet Isaiah when it states: "And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder (‘Eliakim’ a prototype of Christ); so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open" (Isaiah 22:22, KJV).
Alluding to this same word in Isaiah, the speaker in John’s vision is the resurrected Christ, and the message is to the church at Philadelphia. The possession of this key by Christ is used as proof that the Being addressing the church holds the power to the eternal city, "the Holy One, the One Who is true." A clear and direct reference to the glorified Messiah as the one holding that ultimate key. Jesus takes special notice to the Philadelphians that despite their “little strength” He was to give them an “open door” meaning access to the Eternal city, and that "no one can shut", just as it was given before to Judah’s governor “Eliakim, son of Hilkiah" to the house of David:
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah:
And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father's house. (Isa. 22:20-24)
Eliakim was a merely faithful court servant in the house of David during the time of prophet Isaiah, yet was made a rightful inheritor--thru a key of David that was promised him.
Therefore, John’s testimony in Revelation 3:7 is a direct promise to the spiritual Philadelphians, that indeed Jesus Christ having now the ultimate “key of David”, can grant the same privileges to the overcomers, whether principalities (reign), positions (crown), and authority (power) under Christ in His Kingdom. The continuing words of Christ should be reassuring to the faithful Philadelphians:
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. 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 out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.’” (Revelation 3:11-12)
Indeed, according to Revelation 3, the truth that Jesus now holds this “key” shows that He is the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and promises, made eternal with the coming "New Jerusalem", Christ being the “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” in the new city of God.
| RDH
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