Learn of Jesus - Part 9, Keys of the Kingdom

David W Palmer

(Matthew 16:19 NKJV) “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

We have been talking about learning God’s true knowledge in and through Jesus, the Living Word of God. Today, we are looking at a particular type of revelation that we can receive via the Holy Spirit in this process: the “keys of the kingdom of heaven.”

Keys are obviously used for locking for security reasons, such as keeping out the thief. Keys are also used for unlocking—unlocking doors, treasuries, property, etc. for our access—things we would otherwise be locked out of.

In this passage, Jesus the Living Word of God says, “I”; “I will give you the keys …” That is, the living word will give us the keys. So it’s when the word becomes alive in us through revelation that the keys are given. The context of the above verse confirms this; look for the word, “revealed”:

(Matthew 16:17–19 NKJV) Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. … And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Note how Jesus said, “My Father who is in heaven” “revealed this to you”—so this is revelation knowledge from the spirit realm; then he spoke of the “keys.” By putting these together, he is showing us that the keys come from Him, the Living Word, from the spirit realm—the “kingdom of heaven.” This is the realm God rules.

Yet, if we try to get through locked doors with the world’s wisdom and in our own strength, we are wasting our time; we are simply wearing ourselves out trying to break down an impenetrable barrier. The devil is the “god of this world,” so if we try to beat him here using his system, he rules over us (2 Cor. 4:4 KJV). But if we deal with it in the spirit realm, where God is the absolute sovereign king, then getting the right outcome is easy.

God longs for our fellowship, and when we come to him in close relational intimacy, he reveals his heart. To him, locked doors and wild confusing situations are no problem; but he wants us to come to him for the keys; he enjoys that. If you will go about this God’s way, I believe the following is his promise to you today:

(Isaiah 45:1–3 NKJV) “Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To … loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: {2} I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. {3} I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.”

What are these spiritual keys for, and how do we use them?

When something is locked up, and we cannot get the access we need; if we look to Jesus, he can give us a key—usually something small and simple—that can unlock it. On the other hand, if something is running out of control, he can reveal a key to tie it up or lock it down, and thus bring peace and order.

In truth, this fits with the angel’s statement that “with God nothing is impossible” (Luke 1:37 NKJV). Even if it’s locked indomitably, he can provide the key to unlock it; and even if it’s too loose and crazy, he can provide something to bind it. These keys come by revelation from Jesus, the Living Word, via the Holy Spirit.

What do you need a key for today? Is something in your life running out of control? If so, look to Jesus for a simple key that can shut it down and tie it up. Is the enemy trying to make you sick, bring you into problems, put you in depression, or disempower you? If so, get the key to bind him.

Maybe there are locked doors trying to keep you out of dream fulfilment, prosperity, health, progress, property, promotion, or purchases, etc. If so, begin meditating on God’s word until it comes alive. Then it’s Jesus—who can give you the key you need to unlock that situation. Absolutely nothing in this world can tie you up or lock you out if you have the keys—that is, the ones Jesus gives you.

Remember, the key is not something that you can think up with your natural mind so don’t even try. Come to God and his word—focused solely on him, loving him, praising and worshipping him. Ask him to guide you, wait on him; and then meditate where he shows you until the light of revelation dawns like the first beams of sunrise:

(2 Peter 1:19 Lamsa Bible) “We have also a true word of prophecy; you do well when you look to it for guidance, as you look to the lamp that shines in a dark place until the dawn of day, when the sun will shine in your hearts.”

Often, when I am in one of these situations, I finally go to Jesus for the key. But when it comes, I regularly hear myself say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” This is because the keys are usually simple and doable, yet they are very profound; they seem like the epitome of common sense, but they are God’s wisdom; this is why I couldn’t think of them myself. God truly is a genius, and he is waiting to help you today.