Hey Wyatt, this phrase caught my eye.
These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
The question occurred to me: What is it that he open and closes?
Maybe we should answer a previous question first. Who is the one hwo is Holy and true and that hath the key of David? I think the obvious answer is the resurrected and ascended Lord Jesus Christ.
I would tend to think that it is referring to way to heaven or reconcilation with God. I think this would fit with verse 8 which speaks about the Lord setting before them an "open door and no man can shut it."
The interesting thing is that in verse 7 it says that the Lord Jesus has control of the door. He can open it and no one can close it and he can close it and no one can open it.
It might be a bit of a stretch, but I think one of the implications is that there may only be certain times for individuals to heed his call. He opens and closes the door.
I think this may be a good antidote for people who think (I used to think this way in my youth) that I could always turn to the Lord--more or less on my terms when I wanted to. I think most people think this way. Oh I'll get serious about religion later. I'll have my fun and do what I want now and later worry about pleasing God.
I think this is similar to testing God or thinking of him as something/one that we can put in our back pocket and take him out when we need him and pretty much ignore him when we don't. One thing I am sure of is that this is not the way the Christan faith is supposed to be.
Regards,
Randy
