Seven churches

THE SEVEN CHURCHES
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who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut,
and what he shuts no one can open.
The Key of David
The Key of David mentioned hear is a direct reference to Isaiah’s prophecy:
Isa 22:20 "In that day I will summon my servant, Eliakim son of Hilkiah. 21 I will clothe
him with your robe and fasten your sash around him and hand your authority over to him.
He will be a father to those who live in Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. 22 I will
place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and
what he shuts no one can open.
That is a reference to an incident recorded in the 22nd chapter of the prophecy of Isaiah.
In the days of Hezekiah the king there was a courtier whose name was Shebna. He had
been caught in a personal scam and as a result God says "I will take him and whirl him
around and around, and hurl him into a far country." It was a prediction that he would be
sent into Babylon. He would be replaced by a man named Eliakim, of whom God said, "I
will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David. What he opens, no one can shut,
and what he shuts, no one can open." Eliakim was one of Jesus’ ancestors. Eliakim is
otherwise not referred to in any other historical context. Evidently this refers to Jesus’ role
in the salvation. Jesus is the door. As the Son of David he holds the keys for mankind.
This key is Philadelphia - Brotherly love. It led Jesus to the Cross. "There is no greater
love than this - that a man lays down his life for his brethren." What then is this Key. It can
be none other than the blood of Calvary. There is no other way. There is no other door.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven
given to men by which we must be saved."
John 10:7 Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.
John 10:9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and
go out, and find pasture.
In contrast to this we have the statement in revelation: