“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 16:19
Dear Ones:
What is the kingdom of heaven? The key to beginning to understand the term is to begin with the “King of Heaven.” This was the great discovery by Nebuchadnezzar, who at one time was the greatest king on this earth. What was it that Nebuchadnezzar came to understand that made him use this term? In his own words, “…the most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He wills.” (Daniel 4:32) He goes on to say, “…He does according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay His hand.” (4:35) The key concept here concerning the kingdom of heaven is that of authority and power. God has the authority, the sovereign right to do what He wills, but also the power to accomplish all that is in His heart to do.
What is it about the “kingdom of God” that makes it to be that first thing that we should seek? In Isaac Watts’ great hymn, Jesus Shall Reign, he writes: “Blessings abound where’er He reigns: The prisoner leaps to lose his chains, The weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blessed.” The kingdom is that realm over which the King reigns in power and authority. It is as Christ reigns as king in our lives, that all blessings in that kingdom become available to us, for we have all in Him. It is simply in His wisdom, knowledge and love, that the “windows of heaven” are opened for us to receive from Him all that He desires to give. What then are the “keys of the kingdom?” Clearly, they are those applicable truths which can be used by faith to gain access to the blessings in Christ, blessings which are intended to give light and hope to a lost and dying world.
The first great “key” was the knowledge of the gift of the Holy Spirit in Pentecostal power to the disciples. Without this key, there would never be the applicable authority and power of heaven, to bring multitudes to a saving knowledge of Christ. The second key was the message of the truth concerning Christ, His work, death and resurrection. With the words, “Repent and be baptized,” came a promise: the remission (forgiveness) of sins, and the gift of the Holy Spirit to the heart. The preaching of this “word of God,” would result in faith being given to those who sought the Lord. Many would come to know the reality of “chains (of sin and guilt) falling off,” the heart becoming free. They would experience the “rest” which their soul had longed for, that peace with God, which passes the understanding. The keys of the knowledge of the truth, and the working of the Holy Spirit, would unlock immeasurable blessing, because the Lord Jesus had come to bring His kingdom to the hearts of men. It will become evident that “…as His kingdom does increase, so will their everlasting peace.”
Dear Father, how we thank Thee that Thy Son is the King of Heaven, a most wonderful and blessed King. We thank Thee for the knowledge that as we submit ourselves to His Kingship, He will reign, and open for us the windows of heaven to receive blessing from Him. Rule over us, and make us good receivers of the blessings of heaven this day, IN Christ. We thank Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad