Dispensationalism and the eyes of our understanding
On the throne and key of David
Which Jerusalem remains forever?
What is the land of Christ's kingdom?
They shall no more be pulled up out of their land, Amos 9:15
Is the throne of David a type?
When will Israel’s kingdom be restored?
David's throne in Acts 2:29-36
Was the kingdom offered to the Jews?
James and the tabernacle of David
Mountains, hills, and rivers of prophecy
In the 1st of 15 items in this article, George Zeller, assistant pastor at The Middletown Bible Church, the author of most of the articles on the church’s website, claims that the throne of David cannot be in heaven. He wrote:
“The LORD hath sworn in truth unto DAVID; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon THY (DAVID’S) THRONE. If thy children will keep My covenant and My testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon THY THRONE for evermore” (Psalm 132:11-12).
The passage above speaks of David’s throne. Where will David’s throne be located?
“For the LORD hath chosen Zion; He hath desired it for His habitation….There will I make the HORN OF DAVID to bud: I have ordained a lamp for Mine anointed (Psalm 132:13,17).
David’s throne will be located in Zion (Jerusalem), not in the third heaven. It is there in Zion that God will cause the horn of David to spring up.
Isaiah said, “The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness.” [Isaiah 33:5]
Isaiah said that God “dwelleth on high;” yet Psalm 132:13 says he has “chosen Zion … for His habitation.” How does he dwell on high, and in Zion, unless Zion is somehow raised up?
Zion must have been raised up, because Hebrews 12:22 says, “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…” mount Zion is the “mountain of the Lord’s house” that was established in the top of the mountains, and exalted above the hills, as Isaiah foretold, in Isaiah 2:2. It was raised up when Jesus ascended to heaven, after his resurrection. Paul said the saints are also raised up together, and “sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” [Ephesians 2:6]
David’s throne is associated with the “key” of David, which like a throne, was a symbol of authority. In ancient times the keys were large, and were displayed prominently by officials, hanging around the neck. To possess the key to a house, would be like possessing the throne of a kingdom.
Jesus said that he possesses the key of David, which is equivalent to saying he possesses the throne of David.
Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; 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;
This is a quote from Isaiah 22:22, which refers to 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.”
The mountain of the Lord’s house was raised up, far above all earthly hills, to heaven. Isaiah 2:2 was fulfilled when Jesus ascended to heaven. And since Jesus was born of the line of David, and inherited the throne of David his father, David’s throne was established in heaven also. [Luke 1:32]
Dispensationalists do not comprehend this; only when Jesus opens their minds are they able to comprehend it. This is likely an example of what Jesus meant, when he said of himself, that he is the one that “openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth.” The minds of some people are opened, by Jesus, while the minds of others are closed to spiritual truths.
Copyright © 2012 by Douglas E. Cox
All Rights Reserved.