²² I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.

The Message to the Church in Philadelphia

⁷ “Write this letter to the angel of the church in Philadelphia.

¹⁸ Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’),^[a] and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell^[b] will not conquer it. ¹⁹ And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid^[c] on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit^[d] on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

¹⁸ “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid^[a] on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit^[b] on earth will be permitted in heaven.

¹⁹ “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.

¹⁸ I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave.^[a]

² The news had come to the royal court of Judah: “Syria is allied with Israel^[a] against us!” So the hearts of the king and his people trembled with fear, like trees shaking in a storm.