Truth of Scriptures
The Key of David: Do you know what it is?                           Issue 4
Copyright 1993, P.S.O.R. Inc.

          
           The Keyof David
                           What is IT?

      Have you heard people talk about the Key of David? Do you know what the Key of David is?   This writing will disclose what the Key of David is and how it operates.
     As you know a KEY is used to open things and so does the Key of David! 
        
          

     The KEY OF DAVID.  What is having or possessing the Key of David so often spoken of in Scripture?  In this writing I hope to clarify this subject matter. All Scripture is the King James Version and in Italics.

     Luke 9:23-24, And He said to them all, "If any man will come after Me LET HIM DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, AND FOLLOW ME.  For whosoever will save his life SHALL LOSE IT: but whosoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.

     We are clearly insturcted to follow the example Jesus put before us if we intend to go TO THE PLACE He went.  Take up YOUR OWN CROSS DAILY and follow Jesus.  Deny our will in life and replace it with God's will.  Jesus laid out the blueprint for us to follow.  Isn't that pretty simple?  It states that whoever refuses to take up HIS OWN CROSS shall lose their life in the end--and that's life eternal.  But, whoever WILL sacrifice their life and pick up his own cross will gain eternal life.  Take up our cross daily and follow Jesus.  Most religions teach that we go to, or look to the Jesus and His Cross, but this is NOT WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES.
 
     Matthew 10:38-39, And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me IS NOT WORTHY OF ME.  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it.

     Scripture plainly states that if WE DO NOT take up our own cross and follow the example Jesus placed before us, that we are NOT WORTHY of Him. It states that if we refuse to take up our cross then we will lose out on eternal life.  However, those who will suffer the same example that Christ did, and for His sake, will indeed find the WAY to eternal life.

     By the very words of Jesus we understand that it is a prerequisite to take up our own cross to follow Jesus to be where He is now!  But, how do we take up our cross?  How is this done?  We know we will not literally be put on a cross as He was.  Will it be something similar?  To find out the truth we will see what the Scriptures tell us.

     Matthew 19:21, If thou wilt be PERFECT go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.

     One way to becoming perfected is to give to the poor for this gives us treasures in heaven.  Then we continue to follow the examples that Christ set before us.

     Acts 14:22, Confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through MUCH TRIBULATION enter into the kingdom of God.

     To enter into the Kingdom of God will take much grief, trouble, and suffering.  Clearly we see the example Jesus put before us.  This does not sound very easy, but remember what Christ did for us.  He carried the sins of the whole world on His shoulders, so that we would have a change for eternal life.  It's only right that we should do our part.

     1 Thessalonians 3:3, That no man should be moved by these afflictions (grief/sorrows): for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.

     Do not allow afflictions of grief and sorrow to cause you to move off of the firm foundation and Solid Rock of Jesus Christ.  It tells us we KNOW that we are designated and selected to go through this.

     1 Corinthians 15:31, I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus out Lord, I DIE DAILY.

     Paul makes a clear statement that he DIES DAILY.  The cross he was carrying, his own, caused the old man Paul to decrease, or die, to his will and fleshly desires and this was on a daily basis.

     Romans 8:36, As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

     Paul uses us metaphorically as he tells how we are to die daily and describes us as sheep who are prepared for slaughter.

     Romans 8:12 & 17-19 & 21, Therefore, brethren, we are debtors NOT TO THE FLESH to live after the flesh".  To verse 17, And if children, the heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be ALSO glorified together.  For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  For the earnest expectations of the creature we waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.  To verse 21, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

     We are not in debt to our flesh, we owe our flesh nothing.  Our flesh is to be sacrificed as we carry our cross following the example Jesus gave us). It also specifies that we are to SUFFER WITH HIM, if we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ that we may also be glorifieded together with Him.  It plainly states that the suffering we may have for the present times is not worthy or comparable to the glory, which shall later be revealed in us.  With eager hope we wait for the disclosing and revealing of the other sons of God because we will be delivered from this bondage, our flesh, of corruption.  This corruptible mortal flesh must put on a new man who is the image of Jesus and immortality.  We are also called the children of God just as Jesus His Son was.

     2 Corinthians 2:15-16, For we are unto (to) God a sweet savor OF DEATH unto (to) death; and to the other the savor of life unto life.  And who is sufficient for these things?

    We are considered as a SWEET SAVOR of DEATH until we accomplish our goal and die out to our fleshly ways.  As this happens we change and become a SWEET SAVOR OF LIFE into eternal life.   It asks who is sufficient?  Who has achieved this goal?

     2 Corinthians 6:9, As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed.

     We are unknown and yet God knows us well.  We die daily, killing our fleshily carnal thoughts and behaviors, and yet we will live forever. Though we are chastened we are not killed for we have gained eternal life.

     2 Corinthians 4:5, For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

     We do not preach of ourselves, but of Christ the Lord as we follow His examples.  We, like Jesus, are servants of the people for His sake, on His behalf, and in His stead.  We are in HIS IMAGE--HIS LIKENESS.

     2 Corinthians 4:7-12, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the POWER may be of God and not of us.  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus, sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  So the death worketh in us, but life you.

     We hold our treasures in earthly vessels, which is our bodies, that the goodness of the POWER of God may be known to be eminating from God and not from us.  Though we find trouble on every turn we are not distressed, puzzled, or in despair.  Though we are persecuted God does not forsake us.  Though we are cast down, we are not destroyed.  THE REASON IS:  We are ALWAYS carrying about, in our body, the example of the dying of our Lord Jesus that the life of Jesus may be displayed and seen in our body.  For we, which have eternal life are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake so the life of Jesus may be shown in our mortal flesh.  Therefore, death on our cross works while crucifying our flesh, but it ultimately brings forth eternal life in us.
 
     2 Corinthians 4:16-18, For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

     Though our mortal fleshly bodies perish our inward spiritual person is renewed each and every day.  Our griefs and sorrows are but a short time when compared to eternity.  Our light sufferings is described as only a moment, but it creates eternal glory.  While we are not look at the things, which we can literally see, but we look at the things, which are NOT SEEN with our carnal eyes.  The things which we physically see are only temporary, but the things which we DO NOT SEE are spiritual and eternal.

     1 Corinthians 1:17, For Christ sent me NOT to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect.  For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the POWER of God.

     What a powerful verse!  Christ did not send us to baptize, but to preach the gospel.  To preach the gospel we have to know what it is and we are about to find out!  We do not preach with wisdom of a man teaching us, lest the Cross of Christ should be made void.  What is the GOSPEL?  It tells that we are able to make the Cross of Christ non-effective!  How could we make the Cross of Christ void?  Does this mean we take Christ off His Cross?  No!  It means we follow the example He put before us.  "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:38-39).  Scripture declares: IF WE PREACH ABOUT BEARING OUR OWN CROSS IT WILL SEEM FOOLISH TO ALL THOSE WHO WILL PERISH, BUT TO US, WHICH ARE SAVED (not perishing--eternal life), BY THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS, TAKE UP YOUR CROSS AND FOLLOW ME, THE CROSS DISPLAYS THE POWER FROM GOD.

     2 Corinthians 7:3-5, I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts TO DIE and live with you.  Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulations.

     Apostle Paul tells us his words are not used to condemn us.  He has already told us that we are predestinated to first die, crucify our fleshly-carnal ways, so we may live eternally.  He tells us how he is filled with comfort, the Holy Ghost is our Comforter, and he is joyful in all of our sufferings for he knows we are on the right path, the straight and narrow way, which leads us to Christ and eternity. 

     1 Corinthians 11:1, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

     Paul states that we are to be followers of him, just as he followed the example of Christ.

     Philippians 3:17-21, Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example (for many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame.  For our conversation is in heaven from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be FASHIONED LIKE UNTO HIS Glorious Body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.

     Paul again tells us to follow him for he also is following the examples Christ put before him.  He tells us to follow him and those which walk as he does for these are also examples for us.  He tells how he weeps for there are MANY walking along the Christian road who are ENEMIES OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST.  He states their end or final outcome is destruction.  Our conversations is in heaven while we wait for the return of our Lord Jesus. Soon He will change our corrupt bodies so they will be patterened and fashioned like His glorious body.  He will use this same power to conquer ALL THINGS.

     Colossians 2:11-12, In whom also ye are circumcised with the CIRCUMCISION MADE WITHOUT HANDS in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein ALSO ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.

     We are circumcised without the aid of physical-carnal circumcision.  We remove the body by crucifying our flesh from the sins created in the flesh, and this is done by the circumcision of Christ.  As we are baptized we are buried in the likeness of Jesus, where we are also risen with Him through our faith in the operation of God who also raised Jesus from the dead.  For more information on circumcision read "Circumcision the Natural and Spiritual".

     2 Timothy 2:11-12, It is a faithful saying: for if we be dead with Him, we shall also live with Him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us.

     This is the TRUTH!  If we are dead with Christ, being an overcomer of flesh, we shall also live with Him.  If we suffer with our cross, we shall also reign with Him.  If we deny Him, He will also deny us before God.

     1 Peter 5:3, Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being example to the flock.

     We are, just as Christ showed us, to be an example as He was to the people.

     Galatians 6:14-17, but God forbid that I should glory, SAVE IN THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS SCHRIST, BY WHOM THE WORLD IS CRUCIFIED UNTO ME, AND I UNTO THE WORLD.  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision but a new creature.  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.  From henceforth let no man trouble me: FOR I BEAR IN MY BODY THE MARKS OF THE LORD JESUS.

     Paul tells us that God forbid he should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Because of that cross and mine the world has no interest in me, nor do I have any interest in the world.  In Jesus circumcision or un-cirumcision does not mean anything because we are new creatures in God.  Those who walk according to this principal, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.  From now on do not trouble me about these things for because of the example Christ showed me, I also bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

     Philippians 3:10, That I may know Him, and the POWER of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings BEING MADE CONFORMABLE UNTO HIS DEATH.

     Paul tells us there is POWER in His resurrection and those fellow companions who also suffer being conformed into the likeness of Christ's death.

     Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

     Paul explains that he is crucified like Christ, nevertheless he is alive.  It is not Paul who now lives, but Christ is alive and living in him for He dwells in him.  The life, which Paul now lives, in the flesh of his mortal body, he lives by the faith he has in the Son of God who loved him, and gave Himself for him, just as he now gives himself for Christ' sake.

     Romans 6:3-8, Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?  Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection.  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.  For he that is dead is freed from sin.  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.  Knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him.  For in that He died, He died unto sin ONCE: but, in that He liveth, He liveth unto God. 
 
     Please read further down in this Chapter.  Now this is spiritual not natural or carnal.  Do you understand that there were many baptized into Jesus Christ who were also BAPTIZED INTO HIS DEATH? Therefore we are buried with Him by our baptism to bring about our death. And just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of God, so are we and we should also walk in the newness of our life--like Christ.  We were planted together in the LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH.  Therefore, we are risen in the LIKENESS OF HIS RESURRECTION.  Our old man is crucified with Him that our body, which housed sin may be destroyed.

     Now we are not servants of sin for, in the LIKENESS OF HIS DEATH, we are now dead and free from sin.  Now we are considered dead with Christ and we believe that we will also live with Him. We know that Christ was raised from the dead and He will die no more; death has lost all power and rule over Him.  The full overcomer, those who pick up their cross and follow the example Jesus put before them, needs to die only once to sin, kill that sin, and after that life eternal unto God. 

     Romans 8:29 & 36, For whom He did forknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren. To verse 36, As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

     God has presestinated those who will be conformed into the IMAGE OF HIS SON.  Jesus Christ was the Firstborn among many who will be called His brothers (no gender).  The Word states for the sake of Christ we are KILLED ALL DAY LONG, crucifying the flesh-I die daily.  We are considered as sheep ready for the slaughter.

     Revelation 3:7, And to the angel of the church of Philadelphia write; These things saith He that is Holy, He that is True, He that openeth and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.

     To the church of brotherly love write.  Those who go the extra mile for someone in need.  God is Holy, True, He opens and no one can shut and when He shuts the door in the new dispensation, NO MAN will open it.  This is the church God has found favor with.

     Isaiah 22:22-23, And the KEY of the house of David will I LAY ON HIS SHOULDERS; so He shall open, and none shall shut; and He shall shut, and none shall open.  And I will fasten Him as a nail in a sure place (nailed to the Cross); and he shall be for a Glorious Throne to His Father's House.

     NO ONE CAN DOUBT THIS SCRIPTURE!  The KEY OF THE HOUSE OF DAVID will I (God) lay on His (Christ') shoulders--it was His Cross.  THAT'S THE KEY!  THE CROSS AND THE EXAMPLE JESUS WANTS US TO FOLLOW IF WE INTEND TO BE WHERE HE IS.  Jesus opened the Door, for He is that Door, and no one will shut the Door.  When He shuts the Door, shuts out the way to heaven through Him, no one will be able to open it.  Jesus Christ was fastened with nails in a sure place--HIS CROSS.  He is a glorious throne to God's house.

Yours in Christ Jesus,
D.S. Mattingly

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