THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

KINGDOM BUILDERS

“BUILDING THE KINGDOM THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD”

PIERCING THE VEIL

THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM

Keys are of great importance to us. We use them to open our doors to our homes, start our cars, unlock our offices, pop open our diaries, and unlock our master locks which keep all of our valuables safe. By the same token, we also lock all of those things that are dear to us. The person who owns the car or home is the one who owns the keys. They can enter and exit at will. Those who do not have a key are prohibited from entering or exiting. Anyone who tries to enter a locked home without a key or permission to enter are usually burglars.

When the Bible speaks of keys, it occasionally means a literal key. For instance in Judges 3:25, it says And they tarried till they were ashamed: and, behold, he opened not the doors of the parlour; therefore they took a key, and opened them: and, behold, their lord was fallen down dead on the earth. The word “key” here is “maphteach” in the Hebrew and it simply means a key or opening instrument. It is a physical and material key that you can hold in your hand.

Whereas, the KEY mentioned most in the Bible is metaphorically, symbolically, and allegorically spoken of. For instance, the word “KEY” used as a metaphor means a key which denotes the power of one who has authority to open and to shut. Metaphorically, in the New Testament, it means to denote power and authority of various kinds.

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. (Isaiah 22:22). In the foregoing scripture, you will not see a huge key on David’s shoulder. It means he has the power and authority resting on him to go in and go out, to make decisions that would not be rescinded, or exercise authority to govern. Eliakim the priest received “the key of the house of David…on his shoulder.” He was put into authority about the king’s matters. In the natural, a trusted servant to the king wore the key to the king’s house on a hook on his shoulder. Therefore, he had the authority to open or close the king’s house. He had the authority.

When Jesus spoke to the Scribes and Pharisees and Lawyers, the so called learned ones of his day, he rebuked them for taking upon themselves to have the corner of all wisdom and knowledge. The truth is, they did not, but anyone that tried to attain to the wisdom and knowledge of the their day, they put road blocks in their way so they could not attain. Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. (Luke 11:52). Jesus condemned the doctrine of the Nicolaitans (Nico meaning power) (laity meaning common people) who had power over the people. The word actually means destruction of the people. This was a sect who were charged with holding to the error of Balaam for reward and casting a stumbling block before the church of God by upholding the liberty of eating things sacrificed to idols as well as committing fornication. They knew that what they were doing was contrary to the laws of God, but taught the people of their pernicious ways anyway, thereby bringing a curse upon them and their disciples. Woe to them who know the way of righteousness, but walk in the error of sin and teach others to do so as well. They had knowledge, but refused to walk in it. If we have the knowledge and know to do right, and do not, there is no more sacrifice for sins. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end thereof is death. Wise old Solomon said to get knowledge. It was the principal thing. Without knowledge, God’s people perish. Jesus said, be careful what you hear, for with whatsoever you mete shall be mete unto you again. In other words, hearing wrong things that you know are wrong may provoke you to do those wrong things. But, remember, whatsoever you sow, that shall you also reap. If you sow to the flesh, you shall of the flesh reap corruption. If you sow to the spirit, you shall reap life everlasting. We should always consider the words of our teachers looking down the road for 10 years to see if what they say would reap life or corruption before we apply their so called “godly”principles to our life.

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. (Revelation 3:7). The key of David is not an actual key; it is spiritual. It is activated by the tongue. And, when words are spoken under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, miraculous events begin to occur. Jesus cursed a fig tree just to make a point and an analogy about Israel. The next day, it had withered and died. Jesus spoke life to a dead man named Lazurus, and he arose from the grave. He bound the fig tree and loosed the dead man. He even gave man power to remit sins. Whosoever sins you remit shall be remitted and whosoever sins you retain shall be retained. He taught them clearly how to use the key of David. Jesus told his disciples that he would give them the KEYS of the kingdom of heaven. 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). These were not keys made of metal, gold, wood, iron or steel. These keys were not only intended to be used by his immediate disciples, but were for all of Christ’s disciples, and they were spiritual and powerful in nature. The doors to the kingdom of heaven are opened and closed, activated and thwarted by our words. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of words. You have the keys to this kingdom.

I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18). So, what does it mean that Jesus has the keys of hell and of death? Surely, you have never thought these were real keys which he would use to go down to the depths of hell and lock up the prisoners inside along with the devil? Of course not! For this purpose Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. He has also destroyed death. Both hell and death that were against man will ultimately find their place in the Lake of Fire. Every thing that Jesus was, you are now. Every bit of power that Jesus had then is now your power. If he has destroyed hell and death, and the devil, so have you as a manifested son of God. Think of this. You no longer have a formidable enemy. Once you have been born of his incorruptible seed, you now have eternal life. And, you also now have power over the devil and his legions. Christ has given you this power through delegation and impartation. The locks are activated by your words. The key is not carried on your shoulder, but it is carried in your heart and activated by your tongue. GLORY!

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Phillip S. Smith III

1705 Arkansas Road

West Monroe, LA 71291