In the book of Isaiah we read
this prophecy concerning Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah. And the key
of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder. So he shall
open, and none shall shut, and he shall shut, and none shall
open. Now while we know that this prophecy
had its immediate fulfillment in this man Eliakim, whose name
literally means, My God will raise up, we also understand
that all prophecy has its ultimate fulfillment in the Lord Jesus
Christ, for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
So we see that Eliakim is but a type and foreshadow of Him
to whom the keys of the kingdom are forever given, even Jesus
Christ, the righteousness of God, King of kings, and Lord
of lords. Eliakim was the son of Hilkiah,
whose name literally means portion of Jah, or Jehovah. It is no
mere coincidence that this key of the house of David was given
to him. For we read of Christ in Isaiah's
prophecy, For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given,
and the government shall be upon his shoulder. We see this same
prophetic promise reiterated in the book of Revelation. 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. Christ alone could prevail to
open the book with seven seals, and thus display the eternal
purpose of God in the earth. That which he opened, none could
shut until all was fulfilled. He is that one who in the beginning
of the book of the Revelation says, I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which
was, and which is to come, the Almighty. And he is that one
who at the end of the same book says, I am Alpha and Omega, the
beginning and the end, the first and the last. He is that one
of whom we read in the book of Hebrews that he is the author
and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before
him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. He has declared the glory
of God in the salvation of sinners. Our mind cannot help but be reminded
that He is that One who cried, It is finished, when He hung
upon Calvary's cross. That He is that One who, when
He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand
of the Majesty on high. He has both opened the Book of
God and closed it. In him are hid all the treasures
of wisdom and knowledge. For the law was given by Moses,
but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God
at any time. The only begotten Son, who is
in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him. Some are yet
waiting for the Lord to establish His kingdom in the earth. Yet
He has declared that His kingdom is come, and nothing can be added
to it nor anything taken away. The kingdom of God is not one
which can be inherited by flesh and blood. It is not one whose
boundaries can be established by carnal surveyors, even when
they speak with the tongue of angels. This kingdom is made
to be inhabited only by those whose garments are made white
in the blood of the Lamb. They are those who are without
any righteousness of their own. devoid of carnal religious endeavor,
and clinging to one hope which is set forth in the declaration
of mercy displayed in the message which this eternal prophet has
set forth. He is the Savior of sinners who
came to preach to the poor. He is the Physician for sinners
who came to heal the brokenhearted. He is the Deliverer of the captives
who have sold themselves for naught. He is the Healer of those
who are blind. He is the Looser of bonds for
those who are afflicted by the bruising demands of religion
and law. Is not this the fast that I have
chosen, to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy
burdens, and to let the oppressed go free. He is the declarer of
all truth in the acceptable year. For he saith, I have heard thee
in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored
thee. Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, Email us at 4the4 at windstream dot net.