HE WHO OPENS AND NO ONE SHUTS, AND SHUTS AND NO ONE OPENS

Revelation 3:7 (NIV) — 7 “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.

Four descriptions for Jesus Christ

Holy. Christ shares the holy, sinless, pure nature of His Father (Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 6:3; Habakkuk 3:3; Mark 1:11; John 6:69); that is, He is absolutely pure and separate from sin.

True can refer both to one who speaks truth and to one who is genuine or authentic as opposed to fake.

He has the Key of David. the key of David (v. 7)—Christ has the sovereign authority to control entrance into the kingdom (Isaiah 22:22; see Matthew 16:19).

He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. This is either admission into the kingdom or an opportunity for service

What he opens, no-one can shut; and what he shuts, no-one can open

He doesn't just make decisions anyhow and change his mind anyhow

He acts firmly and none can interfere.

What God Opens nobody can reverse it

Christ alone has the authority to admit persons to his heavenly city. Because he is holy and true, no one can ever argue that his admission of some and refusal of others is unrighteous.

Jesus Christ is the one who has the key of David Describes the right to rule

Isaiah 22:22 (NKJV) — 22 The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open.

But in the Church on earth he has entrusted this key (his power) to His servants; whatever is bound or loosened by them is ratified by him in the kingdom of his glory.

I have set before thee a door open, by giving thee graces to save thee, which no one shall be able to hinder, because in you there is only little power and strength

You have kept my word, and not denied the faith.

I have sent you to preach, and have given my blessing to your labours.

Despite all opposition, you shall overcome if you do not give up

But it is not enough to love God and our fellow believers; we must also love a lost world and seek to reach unbelievers with the Good News of the Cross.

Galatians 6:9 (NIV) — 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

The church has a vision to reach a lost world, and God has set before us an open door.

The same Lord Jesus has the key of government and authority in and over the church.

He opens a door of opportunity to his churches;

he opens a door of utterance to his ministers;

he opens a door of entrance to the hearts of the people.

He shuts the door of heaven against the foolish, who sleep away their day of grace; and against the workers of iniquity, how vain and confident they are in whatever they think they are or can do

Although Christ accepts a little strength, yet believers must not rest satisfied in a little, but strive to grow in grace, to be strong in faith, giving glory to God.

Christ can recover his favour to his people, so that their enemies shall be forced to acknowledge it.

By the grace of God the hearts of the enemies of Gods people will soften, and make them desire to be admitted into communion with his people.

Christ promises preserving grace in the most trying times, as the reward of past faithfulness;

Job 12:14 (NKJV) — 14 If He breaks a thing down, it cannot be rebuilt; If He imprisons a man, there can be no release.

Matthew 16:19 (NKJV) — 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”