Keys are a sign of authority and ownership, as well as a path to safety. I recall coming of age when my parents gave me a key to the house and the weight of responsibility that came with it. At that age (I cannot recall how old), I would be coming home to neither of my parents there to let me in. The house would be locked and I had the authority given by my parents to unlock the door to safety. When I was locked outside, I was vulnerable to whatever dangers were there, yet inside behind the locked door, I was protected.
In Revelation 3:7 (NIV), it says, “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 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.”
John is the author of Revelation, but it is Jesus who is identified as the voice of these words to the church in Philadelphia. It is the words of Him “who holds the key of David.”
David was the greatest king of Israel at the height of the nation of Israel, and to this day is the most revered king in the minds of all Israelites. The key of David represents the authority and ruler of the Israelites; however, in this context, it is larger than land with boundary lines. The key is not connected to a physical throne or nation, but that of a spiritual kingdom.
Jesus does not just hold the key; He is the key to unlocking the gate to the Kingdom of God. That authority has been granted to Him by God the Father and His death and resurrection open the door to anyone. Only He has the authority to open and close it.
The church is full of flawed, hurting, and recovering sinners and as flawed, imperfect people, sometimes we hurt those outside the Kingdom by trying to shut the gate thus locking people out. It is probably people we think are not right or good enough. Listen, that is not Jesus’ standard as only He can unlock and lock the Kingdom gate and He has the gate open for you. Once inside the Kingdom we are safe from the dangers that await us on the outside.