Alright, so, what is the key of David? Why did the Lord use this phrase?
First of all, the key of David is given to Jesus. Some mistakenly think it was given to the Church, perhaps this local ekklesia. Not so! This passage is very clear. Christ is the one who possesses it and opens and shuts doors.
Secondly, the Lord is bringing to the readers’ minds the prophecy in Isaiah 22. It is one about a steward in Hezekiah’s reign, Shebna, who was deposed by God and replaced with Eliakim. Shebna was more concerned with his own legacy and power than with the king’s success whom he served. In the prophecy in Isaiah 22, he is to be removed and replaced with Eliakim on whose shoulders the “key of David” will be placed. And in this prophecy, we find the familiar phrase concerning the doors he can open and shut.
This is a good place to introduce an important fact about both prophecy and apocalyptic literature. So many times, we find that when something is spoken of in prophecy and/or apocalyptic scripture, there will be more than one fulfillment. In addition, it will often mirror a recurring theme or story line found throughout Scripture.
In this case, we see Shebna as the personification of those who are “of the synagogue of Satan.” And the Eliakim represents the Lord who now possesses the key of David and the associated power to open and shut doors.
The recurring theme in Scripture begins with Adam. Adam represents Shebna who defaulted on his devotion and intimacy with God in favor of personal gain. Jesus, the second Adam, represents Eliakim who is a faithful steward who looks after the interests of the king and shoulders the key of David.
First of all, the key of David is given to Jesus. Some mistakenly think it was given to the Church, perhaps this local ekklesia. Not so! This passage is very clear. Christ is the one who possesses it and opens and shuts doors.
Secondly, the Lord is bringing to the readers’ minds the prophecy in Isaiah 22. It is one about a steward in Hezekiah’s reign, Shebna, who was deposed by God and replaced with Eliakim. Shebna was more concerned with his own legacy and power than with the king’s success whom he served. In the prophecy in Isaiah 22, he is to be removed and replaced with Eliakim on whose shoulders the “key of David” will be placed. And in this prophecy, we find the familiar phrase concerning the doors he can open and shut.
This is a good place to introduce an important fact about both prophecy and apocalyptic literature. So many times, we find that when something is spoken of in prophecy and/or apocalyptic scripture, there will be more than one fulfillment. In addition, it will often mirror a recurring theme or story line found throughout Scripture.
In this case, we see Shebna as the personification of those who are “of the synagogue of Satan.” And the Eliakim represents the Lord who now possesses the key of David and the associated power to open and shut doors.
The recurring theme in Scripture begins with Adam. Adam represents Shebna who defaulted on his devotion and intimacy with God in favor of personal gain. Jesus, the second Adam, represents Eliakim who is a faithful steward who looks after the interests of the king and shoulders the key of David.
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