we need. The unsearchable riches are here; and David says to us, 'I counsel
sovereignty which He here proclaims is that which Philadelphia specially needed, for encouragement on the one hand, and for stimulus on the other. The reference here is to Isaiah 22:22: 'The key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder.' This was said to Eliakim, who was thus set up as a type of a greater than himself,—a greater than David. Eliakim was royal chamberlain, keeper of the house, like Joseph in Pharaoh's palace. So Christ is represented as not only being the royal possessor of the house, but He also to whom the keeping of its gate was entrusted. He is 'the door' and He is the 'porter too;' He is the pasture and the Shepherd too. 'All power is given to Him in heaven and in earth.' 'The Father loveth the Son, and hath committed all things into His hands.' He has, we may say, many keys. 1. The key of David's house.—The palace is His, and He keeps the key of it, as the Father has given to Him. He opens and shuts according as He will. Wouldst thou enter David's house? Apply to Him who has the key. He is the true David, the true Eliakim; He is David's Son and David's Lord. 2. The key of David's castle.—Beside his palace, David had a fort on Zion which he took from the Jebusites,—a stronghold against the enemy. So has our David a strong tower and fortress, into which we run and are safe. This is the true 'tower of David, builded for an armory.' Wouldst thou get into this impregnable fort? Apply to Him who keeps the key. He opens, and no man shuts. 3. The key of David's city.—Yes, the key of Jerusalem, both the earthly and the heavenly! 'Open ye the gates;' 'Lift up your heads, ye gates.' These cries shall be heard, the key shall be applied, and the gates flung open, and the great multitude that no man can number shall enter in. Wouldst thou enter in to this glorious city? Thou must go to Him who has its keys. No application was ever made in vain to Him. No other key but His will open the gate to thee. 4. The key of David's treasure-house.—That storehouse contains all we need. The unsearchable riches are here; and David says to us, 'I counsel