Revelation 5:8-14 - Worship the Lamb

8 And when He had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.

Upon this happening, everyone encircled around Him immediately worships. The elders, who represent those who believe have the prayers of all of God’s people. Jesus, standing at the throne of God with God’s plan for all the world, has our prayers there before Him.

9 And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”

They worship and they worship with a new song. This is a new era. These are new praises. All has changed. There is hope and it is an eternal hope and it is a certain hope.

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.

As an engineer, I can quickly tell you that ten thousand times ten thousand is 100 million, or roughly about ¼ of the U.S. population. However, I don’t think that’s the point of this description as I doubt John had the ability to count to such a number with ease or reliability. The point is, every angel in heaven encircled the throne and joined the living creatures and the elders in worship. All of them. There was no being in all of heaven that wasn’t there and that wasn’t worshiping the Lamb of God.

12 In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Every creature or living one at the throne was worshiping, every creature in heaven was worshiping, every creature on earth, and every creature under the earth. All living things that have ever been alive are in worship, acknowledging that there is one God and one Son and they have all praise, honor, glory and power forever and ever.

Daniel wrote in chapter 7, 13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."

This is significant and should not be missed. First, Satan and his demons are included in this. Every living one is worshiping. Second, so many people deny and argue that there is no God. However, there will be a time when every living thing acknowledges not only that there is a God, but who that God is. They can do it while they are alive here on earth or they can do it from heaven or they can do it from under the earth. It’s really just a matter of when. If we love people as God does, then we want them to do it from anywhere that isn’t under the earth.

Lastly, when you have doubts, take the time to remember that there will be a time when you will have crystal clear vision and will know with no thought of doubt that there is one God and one Son who have all power. I urge you to accept it and make that time now. Don’t wait. Know it now.

Revelation 5:2-7 - The Lamb

2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it.

A loud voice from a mighty angel, one that is heard everywhere. It is heard in heaven by all who are there, the elders, the four magnificent living creatures, and on earth by everyone who is there, and under the earth by all who are with the Satan. Who is worthy! Satan, as powerful as we think he is did not step up and answer that call. No person, as powerful as some seem to be or think that they are, stepped up to answer that call. An elder? Nope. The four creatures? Nope. There is no answer. All mankind and all of Creation are eagerly yearning and hoping for restoration and there is no answer.

4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

John weeps. In fact, the translation could be said that he was wailing. This dramatic scene has overcome him. All of mankind is hanging there with no one to implement God’s plan. There is no hope! All of the pain and suffering of the people and there is no one to rescue them. If you have ever lost hope in your life, it is a terrible place to be. Once hope is lost you can no longer put others first. My own experience is you do what satisfies you and become your own god. Since there is no hope for something different, you better make the best of it while you are alive. This type of thinking and mindset is dominant in our culture today and it is because people have no hope. They believe they must live for today and make any change necessary so they can be happy today if possible while in complete denial that inside they are longing for something much more and no matter what they do today they will only be satisfied, if they even are, for a very short time.

But an elder comes to John and says look up, stop weeping, there is One who has victory! He is able! What a glorious event. In the face of there being nothing, there is One who stands at the throne.

6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirit of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

John the Baptist declared “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (Jn 1:29) Here is the sacrificial Lamb of God. In the days of the second Temple, flocks could only be shepherded in the wilderness. The only exception to this was those that were to be used as the sacrifice. These needed to be kept somewhat close to the Holy City and the Temple. There was only one area near the Holy City where these sacrificial lambs could be shepherded that had hills and valleys conducive for raising sheep and that was Bethlehem. The Lamb of God was born where the sacrificial lambs were born and He was offered up in the Temple in Jerusalem. His entire purpose was to give Himself up as a sacrificial Lamb out of sacrificial love for us, even from the moment of His birth. And now, He stands at the throne of God and only He is worthy to take the scroll from God.

He stands as having been slain and He is at the center of the throne. Everyone and thing there stands around Him. He has seven horns which represents that He has perfect power. He has seven eyes which is explained that He has the perfect Spirit of God upon Him.

“It is finished!” He declared as He died on the cross. And as He takes the scroll, it is finished! The penalty of our unbearable sin is over and God’s plan for man and Creation can be restored.

Revelation 5:1 - Heaven

Then I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.

Seven seals basically means this was a secure document. Access was not to be granted to just anybody. It was custom in that time for Roman scrolls to be sealed seven times. This was an indication to everyone that the scroll was very important and very secure. Therefore, the scrolls of the emperors were a mystery or secret only unveiled upon their death.

It can also be noted that the original Jewish language was Hebrew but over time changed to Aramaic. The original Torah was written in Hebrew. Therefore, there were fewer and fewer who could translate the original Torah. It would be on a scroll sealed with seven seals and typically no one could translate it, therefore no one would dare break the seals.

The indication of there being writing on both sides means this is a long document. Or it could be that the outside is a summary, I mean, that’s what I’d do so I wouldn’t have to unroll it to know what it said. But we’re not in the limited human realm here. The scrolls of the books of the Bible are very long. Romans is 11 ½ ft long; Mark is 19 ft; John is 23 ½ ft; Matthew 30 ft; and Luke and Acts are 32 ft each. This scroll is not only long but so full it has writing on both sides.

What is on the scroll?  In Ezekiel 2, he is given a scroll with writings on both sides as well and it is the "lament and mourning and woe" of the people.  It is possible that something similar is written on this scroll.  The contents are generally considered by most scholars to be God’s plan for Creation to include man, all the earth, and the spirit world. 

All people yearn deep inside to be settled and completed. C.S. Lewis said, "The fact that our heart yearns for something earth can't supply is proof that heaven must be our home." We are all insecure, somewhere inside about something.

“My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.” – Isaiah 26:9

“My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1

There simply isn’t enough in this dry and weary land of earth to satisfy that which is missing deep inside. Solomon worked hard to fill it with everything available in Creation, but there was nothing in Creation that could satisfy it. Everything outside of God was a mirage. Our souls crave purpose, meaning, and completion and that is not found here on earth.

In Romans 8 Paul writes that all of Creation is yearning for this revelation of God. It wants to be the garden of Eden again as it was in the beginning as a celebration to God’s glory with man.

And here in God’s hand, is the scroll of His plan to restore all of Creation, to end the "lament and mourning and woe" of His people.

Revelation 4:8-11 - Heaven

8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy
is the Lord God Almighty,
who was, and is, and is to come.”

In Isaiah 6, he describes these creatures as seraphim, each with six wings. And they call to one another (v3) saying:

“Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord Almighty;
The whole earth is full of His glory.”

These glimpses into heaven are very few but there are so many similarities in the writings where the authors are describing things they do not understand how to describe that it is striking to me at the common picture we are able to grasp.

It is important to realize that the message has changed that is being cast by the living creatures. The message for John is that the Lord “is to come”. This is very relevant in relation to all that he is about to witness. The same Lord who has always been and who is now, is the same Lord over what is to come and it is He who is going to come. We must be clear that Revelation is written about the living Lord and His Son Jesus.

The Lord is holy, holy, holy.  That is, He is so separate and spotless that there is none like Him.  He is not common, but set apart.  He is so set apart that it is repeated three times so we can grasp the idea that He is beyond what we can conceive and He is not as we are.

A portion of the gospel hymn, Holy, Holy, Holy is written from this moment in Revelation.  Verse 2 states,

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:

11 “You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for You created all things,
and by Your will they were created
and have their being.”

As the four living creatures worship all the elders join in and worship also. Each cast their crowns or “good works” before the throne of God. There is a lot of wisdom in that one act. Anyone who tries to serve in ministry or witness to others, if they are spiritually conscious, realizes quickly that there is nothing that they can do that will really change the other person internally. The other person may appreciate clothes, food, shelter, or an ear to listen, but they will not be changed permanently. Something else must happen and it doesn’t involve our work, except to witness to who God is. The Spirit of God must be present and only from Him can someone be led to repent. It is the work of God. Any crown any of us might receive is not because of any work we have done, if our work could even be interpreted as good and not obstructive. It is because God moved. Therefore, the wisdom of the elders who sit at the throne of God as a representative for all those who follow God is that all of what we have done is unworthy of honor and all “glory and honor and power” is the Lords for He alone is worthy of it.

As much as this picture of heaven is a praise service honoring God for His hand as Creator of all that is, it is the acknowledgment and agreement, the completion of knowing, that there is one living God and He alone is “who was, and is, and is to come”.

Revelation 4:4-7 - Heaven

4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.

Seated on them are elders. This lends itself to people, not angels or other heavenly beings. To my knowledge it is unknown who are these 24 elders. One thought is that there are 12 from the tribes of Israel and the 12 apostles (the 11 original plus Paul). Perhaps, but I believe that these 24 represent all those who believe. In 1 Chronicles 24 is the Division of the Priests. Because it was an honor to serve as a priest in or around the temple and only those from the tribe of Levi could do so and different families had different numbers of descendants David caused them to select 24 representatives (by casting lots) for the rest of the tribe to represent all the people of Israel as priest leaders in music, priestly duties, or aids to the priests. These 24 represent the people of God from all the nations. All who are spiritual descendants of Abraham.

Jesus indicated to churches in Sardis and Smyrna that if they were victorious they’d wear white and He indicated to church in Philadelphia that they’d wear crowns. Here we see elders wearing white and having crowns.

5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirit of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

The throne of God is spectacularly bright and loud. It exudes power. Just for reference, a typical lightning strike has 1,000,000,000 (1 billion) joules of energy or 10,000,000,000 (10 billion) watts of power. There were flashes of lightning (many of them) from the throne. The one on the throne is powerful, more powerful than all that we know or imagine.

In front of the throne is the perfect Spirit of God. And further is a sea of what looked like glass. It could have been glass, or crystal, or water that was so calm and clear it looked as glass. I am reminded of David’s words in Psalm 23:2, “He leads me beside still waters”. God leads us to places that rest our soul and He leads us to His throne in heaven, the stillest of waters.

The presentation is an amazing contrast. There is lightning and thunder yet there is a sea so still it is as glass. Here, if we see lightning and thunder the sea definitely isn't still. Mercy can be defined as power under control. Here we see great power under perfect control.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.

There is a similar account in Ezekiel of these creatures. In his account, each creature had four faces, the man facing forward, the lion to the right, the ox to the left, and the eagle behind. This is an incredible scene of these four powerful creatures at the throne of God.

It is somewhat unknown as to what they represent or if they simply are as described. Some commentaries indicate that the four faces represent all that is on the earth. There is man representing mankind, the ox representing all domestic animals, the lion representing all wild animals, and the eagle representing all in the air. I guess the animals in the water don’t get a representative in this thought.

Another thought is they represent all that we understand. Our physical form, our work (ox), our power (lion), and our spirit (eagle). All the influence that any person can have.

Yet another consideration is a reference to how the Israelites camped around the Tabernacle. Some camped under Reuben symbolized by the a man, others with Dan symbolized by an eagle, others with Ephraim symbolized by a calf, or ox, and the rest with Judah symbolized by a lion.

However they are interpreted, the fact is they are intense and powerful and adjacent to the throne and they "see" everything everywhere.

Revelation 4:1-3 - Heaven

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven.

The door to heaven is open! It is not closed. Jesus opened the door. Jesus told the church of Philadelphia that He would open a door and it could not be shut. It is open because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. All Christians should celebrate this work of God done solely because He “so loved the world, He gave”.

And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

The voice is described as it was in Chapter 1, as the voice he had heard before like a trumpet, and it is the voice of Jesus calling him. Here we enter a transition point in the writing. In verse 1:19 he is to write “what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Here is a transition to “what must take place after this” or “what will take place later”. The question is after what? It is after what he has seen and what is now.

2 At once I was in the Spirit,

Jesus called John to come “up here” presumably to heaven and immediately John was moved from the physical world to the spiritual world. We should be reminded that in chapter 1 John tells us that he was in the Spirit when this revelation was first presented to him. Yet now he is again put into the Spirit? I believe that he was at first in his physical body but immersed in communion with the Spirit, but here he is moved into this alternate world.

I notice that he could see and hear, he had emotion and was seemingly himself. In other words, his essence is not lost. Whatever doubts we may have about death, it should be somewhat reassuring to realize that when we are transported into the spiritual realm, we will have some essence of who we are. We do not die forever and become erased.

Another observation is that here in the physical world the Spirit is in us (if you believe in Jesus as the Son of God), yet to get to heaven, John was in the Spirit.

and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.

Someone sits on the throne. It isn’t us. It’s not me; it’s not you; it’s not any man. It is the one Who Is and has Always Been. There is no one else on the throne. There is one God and He lives! His appearance is as jasper (diamonds) and rubies. Each person will imagine these descriptions as they can. I envision bright light emanating through the multi-facets of diamonds and rubies, yet the glow is as a green rainbow. the rainbow encircles this bright sparkling indescribable appearance. I have no idea how clear and red makes green, but God is not bound by my understanding of colors.

I have read many accounts of people who have died and had experiences that they believe was a brief trip to heaven. In all but one, there was a description of colors that they had a very difficult time explaining. There were too many colors to know how to describe and they were different than we know.

Revelation 3:11-13 - Philadelphia

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Jesus says six times in Revelation that He is coming soon. The word for soon does not mean immediately, but means with no unnecessary delay. Peter wrote (2 Pt 3:9) that “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God is not being slow with regards to this prophesy of His coming again. He is intentional about offering everyone the opportunity to know Him. If we, His followers, are close to Him in our daily walk then we do not want for Him to come again. This is a controversial statement as most commentaries and preachers tell us to long for it. Jesus has already assured us that “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. (Mt 28:20)” If He is already with us and if He loves man and wants for man to have every opportunity possible to know Him, then we should also want the same. If we long for His return because we are tired and have become weak more than we want for others to still have time to come to know Him, that is not following Jesus.

In Genesis 18, Abraham bargains with the Lord to save the city just in case there were righteous in the city that would be destroyed along with the evil. This should be our thoughts as well. Lord, we are ready for your return, but don’t come if there is the possibility that one more can know you. We need to make sure that we are ready, but we also must be willing to stand up in our faith so that the one seeking Him will see or hear Him from us as we witness or testify to His Words.

Jesus had this conversation and described it in Luke 12 to His disciples. This is a partial excerpt of that conversation:

42 The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. 44 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. 46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.”

It is important for all to stay ready and be doing that which He has given us to do. The church is told to “hold on to what you have”, that is His Word and not denying His Name. Be careful to not become as the world is but to be standing in faith, knowing Jesus is truth.

12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of My God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from My God; and I will also write on them My new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

To the one who endures patiently and holds on to their faith, they will stand in the presence of God. They will never be out of His presence. They will be identified with the name of God and His holy city, further He will also write His name on them. Every access that is required they will have by their identification and that identification is the Lord and Jesus. Jesus holds the key and He will give access to those who are victorious in their faith.

Revelation 3:10 - Philadelphia

10 Since you have kept My command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

And so it begins …………..

This verse is the kickoff to everything that is controversial about Revelation. It all starts with this. The controversy is over the interpretation or meaning of the “hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world”. This is an obvious prophesy as it is “going to come”. It is also going to involve everyone in “the whole world” and as this trial will test all “the inhabitants of the earth.” This is not an easy thing to read. But, we would be amiss if we didn’t read the promise in it. Since you are enduring patiently and keeping His commands, He will protect you. This is worth remembering and standing on in view of a great trial.

There are several ways to read this. One is that this is a reference to the trial that does test everyone on earth, mortality. Everyone will die. Everyone will have to face judgment. Everyone will have to acknowledge if they believe in the One true Living God and that Jesus is His Son as their redemption for their sins. This is going to come to everyone in the whole world and this faith test is for all mankind, the inhabitants of the earth.

The most common interpretation can only be done by reading further into this book of Revelation. Many believe it is a reference to a coming worldwide devastation that is described further herein and that this is an indication that Jesus will call up those who know Him before that destruction. It is commonly referred to as the Rapture of the Saints.  Most commentaries are written to reflect this view.

Either way, for me the important aspect is the promise of protection in that hour of trial.  I can trust Him with all that I am no matter what comes.  Can you?

Revelation 3:8-9 - Philadelphia

8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.

Jesus will put an open door before them that no one can shut. Their door to heaven will always be open and the door to opportunity to share the Good News will always be open. No one will be able to prevent or obstruct these. Then He offers encouragement. “I know you’re tired and weak, but you have stayed true in the battle. You’re running the good race.”

Another meaning of “little strength” is “little power”. This could be a reference to their standing in their community. They may have had little wealth and/or little influence as leaders in the city. It is easy to be able to relate this reference along with the idea of the wealthy Jewish leaders (Pharisees) being against them, much as they were when Jesus lived. Even so, Jesus assures them that they will have an open door that no one with wealth or influence can shut.

9 I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

This is the second time Jesus has referred to those who claim to be Jews but are not. This is powerful language. Jesus is again saying that someone’s heart condition can override their genealogy. That the spiritual is more important than the physical. It’s not just that He refers to them as no longer being Jews, but they are on the side of Satan! Not only are they on his side, they are in his church! That is a very high order of criticism. John the Baptist, the one who proclaimed in the wilderness, said something very similar when the Jewish church leaders came to see him.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? – Matthew 3:7

Jesus also uses similar language towards these Pharisees:

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. – Matthew 12:34

You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? – Matthew 23:33

The reference to snakes is akin to calling them Satan.  Jesus assures the church in Philadelphia saying that these evil Jews who serve Satan will be unable to not recognize that He is loving them and providing His favor. This favor will be undeniable and these Jews will admit to the obvious.

Revelation 3:7 - Philadelphia

7 “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

Philadelphia is located about 25 miles southeast of Sardis. This city was founded much later than the others and was very new by comparison originating sometime after 189 B.C. It had several other names such as Decapolis, Neo-kaisaria, and Flavia. Today its name is Ala-shehir. Like Sardis, it was destroyed by the large earthquake around 17 B.C. and had to be rebuilt. This city also suffered aftershocks that lasted years afterward.

The writing to this church, like Smyrna, is only encouragement and does not condemn.

These are the words of Him 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.

Up to this point, the phrases used to identify Jesus were repetitions of the descriptions used in Chapter 1, but here Jesus uses a new description, at least it is new in this letter. The term “holy one” is a common Old Testament title for God (Is 40:25; 43:15). The notion is that Jesus is pure and separate. He is without sin and therefore spotless, without stain or blemish.

Jesus is the “true one”; He is the truth. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Jn 1:1,14) “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn 14:6) “We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 Jn 5:20)  Half of the times this word for "true" are used in the Bible it is by John.  He emphasizes that God is true, His Word is truth, and Jesus is true.

The early Christian churches probably resembled the Jewish order or worship quite a bit. Some commentators speculate that most early Christians attended Jewish synagogues on one day then had their own service on another or later the same day. The rift between Jews and Christians would be that Christians claimed to be God’s people (new Israel Gal 6:16 & circumcised by the Spirit Rom 2:28-29) and the Jews held that specifically to them alone. The Jews believed that they alone would have the keys to God’s kingdom. Jesus had already said that He “holds the keys of death and Hades” in 1:18. Undoubtedly this is a further description of that reference directed towards the Jews.

The imagery of the Key of David is a reference to Isaiah 22. In Isaiah there is an individual named Shebna who had charge of the palace of the Judean king. Isaiah wrote that the Lord would replace Shebna with a man named Eliakim, son of Hilkiah. The Lord would “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” (Is 22:22). So, Eliakim would be a gatekeeper with the power to control entry into the kingdom. He alone would be able to decide who could come and couldn’t have access to the king.

The Jews would relate this to the Word which said that the Messiah would come through David. So, if Jesus says He holds the key of David, then He is saying He is the One from David’s lineage.

A more New Testament interpretation of the key of David would be references to open doors. Paul in Acts 14:27 indicated he had “opened the door of faith to the Gentiles”. And in 1 Corinthians 16:8-9 he said, “But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” Other references are in 2 Corinthians 2:12 and Colossians 4:3.

One thought is that Jesus would open a door for evangelism and witness that no one could shut. It is worth considering that the Jews, “the synagogue of Satan”, would seek to silence these Christians and their message of Jesus as the Messiah and they would be unable to do so as Jesus Himself would keep the opportunities ever present.

Finally, Jesus is quoted in John 10 as saying that He is the door to the kingdom of God. When he was in the physical body He made it abundantly clear that His actions and words were those of His Father’s. He did the perfect work He was to do and it was finished. Now, He is not only the door, but the key as well. He and the Father are one. He holds the key to life as the way (door) to salvation (Jn 14).

Revelation 3:4-6 - Sardis

4 Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with Me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels. 6 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

There are those who are still faithful. They are not dead. They have held onto their faith. They will walk with Jesus. The one of you who wakes up, strengthens what remains, remembers what he received, keeps it, and repents will be victorious and will walk with Jesus like those who have been faithful.

Jesus assures us that He will never remove the name of the person who repents from the book of life, but will acknowledge it before God. There is always hope for anyone who keeps their heart open and sensitive to the Spirit; for the one who will hear His Words.

The ground is level at the foot of the cross. Those who have preached 1,000 sermons are equal to the one who repented just today upon hearing Jesus’ call. Both will be recognized by Jesus before His Father. I hope we all can walk today and realize that everyone we encounter is our equal. There is only one God.