The Key of David

Rev.3:7-8, “And to the ^[e]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”: “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, ^[f]and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.’‘

Apostle John is here used to hear and write the message given for the church of Philadelphia, which was founded in 189 B.C. by Pergamon King Eumenes. It’s name was given in honor of the love he had for brother Attalus. After a devastating earthquake in A.D. 17, Philadelphia was rebuilt by the Roman emperor Tiberius and was situated some  48 km east-southeast of Sardis. The church at ancient Philadelphia was apparently neither large nor had great influence, but it was pure, holy and faithful to God’s Word.

The message begins with the common words used for all other six churches i.e “I know your works”. God knows us as we are and He alone knows all our works. Let’s always remind ourselves that we are always watched carefully by our redeemer. He then says that He has set before the church an open door. A door which no one can shut. This door was open with the key of David. V 7 represents the Lord as the one who has the key of David.  In Math.16:18-19, the Lord while speaking to Peter, said that He would give him the keys of the kingdom of heaven. V 19 speaks about the instructions to bind and loose on earth in the name and authority of Christ Jesus. This key of the kingdom of heaven is the key of authority that is in the name of Christ Jesus.  This key of authority of Christ is the key of David.  Mt.28:18, ‘And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’  Jesus Himself is the only key of the kingdom of heaven.

God made Adam in His image and then He gave him the authority and dominion over all living beings on the earth (Gen.1:28). Later, Adam and Eve lost this authority as soon as they fell in sin. But through faith in Christ Jesus , the lost power and authority was  restored to mankind. The disciples in the early church used this restored authority through complete faith in Christ as per the Lord’s will and this caused the expansion of church and the manifestation of His glory and power. This authority is effectively used by a God’s child who lives as per the Word of God to build God’s kingdom. This authority comes in with the anointment of the Holy Spirit which is the exceedingly great power that resurrected Christ from the dead placed Him above all power, principality, might, dominion and name both in this age and in the age to come as written in Eph.1:19-21. All God’s children need to receive and use this power made available for all who submit completely to live as per  His Word for the building up His Kingdom.

The church in Philadelphia was small in number. Yet they were appreciated by the Lord twice for keeping the Word (Rev.3:8,10). The power and authority of Christ Jesus was as such much more manifested here. Its not the number of lives attending a church that determines its growth. Instead it’s the number of lives who are earnest and fervent for God’s Word and His Spirit that determines the strength and growth of the church. This not only opened door of God’s kingdom &  ministry for this church, but also differentiated it from others who called themselves as believers but were not actually so (Rev.3:9). The power of anointment is the only factor that differentiates a true child of God from all others who call themselves as believers. Disobedience drains off the power of anointment of the Holy Spirit. Acts 19 :11-16 clearly speaks about the disobedient sons of Sceva, a Jewish priest who tried to use the name of Christ Jesus over the lives possessed by the evil spirit but were overpowered by evil spirits themselves and ran away.

and no one can shut it; It’s the Lord who opens the door of heaven for the redeemed souls and no other power on this earth can close it. Besides, it’s the Lord that opens doors of  ministry and no man can put an obstacle to it. Apostle Paul was a person who persecuted the church. But soon after he submitted completely to Christ, doors of heavenly blessings was opened for him and none could stop it. Apostle Paul preached the gospel in many places and he faced obstacles, hatred and persecution every where. Yet the ministry continued to attract the predestined lives. No power of this earth can stop the Lord’s work. Its He Himself behind it and its He Himself that works through lives who have submitted and committed for the purpose. Let’s not be discouraged when we face obstacles as we continue to work for the Lord.

Rev.3:11, ‘^]Behold, I am coming quickly ! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.’  This verse gives a sound of urgency and a warning. The Lord warns the church to continue to hold fast to  their obedience . After commending the church for their obedience, the church is warned. This shows that there is every chance for any person or church at any time to loosen their grip over God’s word. That’s the fight from the flesh and the world. But as apostle Paul wrote in 1 Cor.9:27, “ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” No one can discipline us except we ourselves. The Lord has given us a free will. Apostle Paul chose to discipline himself so as not to loose the imperishable crown. The church of Philadelphia was small in number but yet a disciplined church. They never denied His name i.e they faced persecution boldly and faithfully. They aimed to be overcomers.

The overcomers have been promised to be made as the pillars of God’s temple. Upon them shall be written, the name of our God, the name of the city of our God and the new name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear friends, lets aspire  to  do His will. The new year has begun with renewed hope. Lets aim to submit much more of ourselves into His hands so that much more power and authority  of Christ can be bestowed upon us and thus, much more can be done by Him through each of us this year. May God strengthen and bless us all.

God bless us all

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