The Keys Of The Kingdom
The day Peter had the great revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, he also was given the promise of receiving the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Note that the Bible says that there are keys of and not to the kingdom. Jesus is the door and door is open to all who believe. Yet, once inside the Kingdom of God there are many rooms full of blessings that must be unlocked. Have you ever had a key that you didn’t know to which lock it belonged? Just as he who doesn’t read is no better off than he who does not know how to read, so it is with the keys of the Kingdom. If you don’t know how to use the keys, it is as if you never had them to begin with. Jesus said that the Scribes and Pharisees had the keys, in other words they knew the Scriptures, but didn’t enter in and hindered those who were entering in. (Luke 11.52)
A key is a symbol of authority. In Isaiah’s time, Eliakim the priest, was given the key to the house of David. The Bible says he was given authority so that what he shut no man could open and what he opened no man could shut. (Is. 22.22) When Jesus said to Peter that he was giving him the keys of the Kingdom, He continued with, “whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mat. 16.19) The meaning of the word, loose, in the Greek is unlock, and the meaning of, bind, is to lock. Each believer has been given the authority to unlock what is in Heaven and bring it to earth, or we can lock up what is in Heaven and it will never get to us here on earth. To be able to access the room of victory, or peace or supply or healing, we need to know which key fits what door.
Jesus came to reveal to us the secrets of the Kingdom. The Kingdom preceded creation and it was always the Lord’s intention that the Kingdom be established here on earth. The shedding of the blood of Jesus and His death and resurrection were not the end, but rather a means to the end. Redemption opened up the door so we could all experience life in the Kingdom. So why do so many believers fail to experience Kingdom life? They may be ever learning the Scriptures, but continue in their ignorance of its secrets; in other words, its keys. They remain in the lobby, trying key after key, with the hope of unlocking the doors.
Let me give you some examples. One key is that of forgiveness. When you forgive, then you are forgiven. If you have something against someone, you have locked the door to your own forgiveness and freedom from guilt. If a husband does not live with understanding toward his wife, his prayers are hindered. (I Peter 3.7) Even your offerings are not accepted, if someone has something against you. The door to financial provision is locked. (Mat. 5.23) When you use the key of forgiveness, the door to so many blessings open and you have access to them.
Another key is that of being a peacemaker. (Mat. 5.9) The key of peacemaking opens the door of sonship. Being a son gives you privileges and rights. Jesus healed a woman, who was so disabled she could stand up straight, because she was a daughter of Abraham; not because He felt pity for her. The religious leaders had the keys, but would not use them. Jesus unlocked the door to healing and her life was changed. You may know the promises, but do you know the right key to open them?
Scriptures to meditate on:
Mat. 16.13-20; 18.18; 25.34; Is. 22.22; Rev. 3.7; Luke 11.52; 16.15