Isaiah 22--"The Key of the House of David"

Isaiah 22 relates to the highest priesthood ordinances, those of the Melchizedek order. A revelation given in our dispensation delineates Aaronic and Melchizedek ordinances. The Lord has said, 

"And the lesser priesthood continued, which priesthood holdeth the key of the ministering of angels and the preparatory gospel;

"Which gospel is the gospel of repentance and of baptism, and the remission of sins, and the law of carnal commandments" (D&C 84:26-27).

Just a few verses earlier in this section, the Lord explained the keys of the Melchizedek Priesthood by saying,

"And this greater priesthood administereth the gospel and holdeth the key of the mysteries of the kingdom, even the key of the knowledge of God.

"Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.

"And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

"For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live" (D&C 84:19-22).


The Power of Godliness

The power of godliness is manifest in the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood, particularly temple ordinances. Without such temple ordinances we would not be able to enjoy the eternal presence of the Father. The ultimate purpose of the temple is to allow us to come back into God's presence.

The sealing power comes through Melchizedek Priesthood ordinances as well. We often think of the sealing power as the uniting and bonding of eternal families, but it is much more than that. Sealing power binds us to God.

Another modern revelation discusses the more sure word of prophecy by stating, "The more sure word of prophecy means a man’s knowing that he is sealed up unto eternal life, by revelation and the spirit of prophecy, through the power of the Holy Priesthood" (D&C 131:5). Godlike attributes and powers are sealed upon those receiving exaltation.

King Benjamin discusses the process of becoming spiritually begotten sons and daughters of Christ through the making and keeping of covenants. He then said, 

"Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen" (Mosiah 5:15).

Notice that when we become sealed to Christ we obtain those godlike attributes of wisdom, power, justice, and mercy.

Well of Souls

The "well of souls," sometimes referred to in scripture as the "pit," is a cave located under the Dome of the Rock in the Foundation Stone on the Temple Mount (Moriah) in Jerusalem. The Foundation Stone is the symbolic navel of the world. Israel would be the at the center of the world, Jerusalem at the center of Israel, the Temple Mount in the center of Jerusalem, and the Holy of Holies at the center of the temple.

The Foundation Stone represents the point where heaven meets earth, and some believe it was the first place where the waters of creation receded, exposing dry land.

This location also represents the gate to the underworld of spirits, or the "gates of hell." The New Testament speaks of "hell," or the Greek equivalent of "Hades," as the abode of the dead.

I have inserted a Wikipedia link to the "Well of Souls."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Well_of_Souls


Keys of the Kingdom

Jesus promises Peter, "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matthew 16:19). But in the previous verse Jesus says, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (verse 18).

The keys of the kingdom contain the sealing powers of the temple. The keys also prevail against the "gates of hell." Jacob declares, "O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit" (2 Nephi 9:10). He goes on to say that the "keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel" (2 Nephi 9:41).

Key of the House of David

Isaiah 22 mentions a man by the name of Eliakim, whose name means, "God raises." He becomes a type of Christ, who was raised up by the Father (see 3 Nephi 27:14). The scripture in Isaiah records:

"And I will clothe him with thy robe, and strengthen him with thy girdle, and I will commit thy government into his hand: and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah.

"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.

"And I will fasten him as a nail in a sure place; and he shall be for a glorious throne to his father’s house" (Isaiah 22:21-23).

Clothed in glorious kingly robes, He will open and none shall shut. The keys are laid upon His shoulders as the Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) foreshadowed by ancient priests of Aaron wearing an ephod with onyx stones on their shoulders, as He bears our names before the Father (see Exodus 28:12).

Truly He hath borne our burdens and seized the keys of death and hell (see Hymns, #182).