“I will give you the KEYS OF THE KINGDOM of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and WHATEVER YOU LOOSE ON EARTH shall have been loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)
Who is Jesus giving these “keys” to? Well, let’s look at the preceding conversation that took place where Jesus asked the question: “…who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15) Peter’s response was: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16) Now, how did Peter know this, well, Jesus said: “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but MY FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN.” (Matt. 16:17) Jesus, explained that this understanding did not come to you because of what you observed but my Father has REVEALED IT TO You by Divine revelation, as Paul taught us:
“For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the DEPTHS OF GOD.” (1 Corin. 2:10)
Paul goes on to explain: “A person who isn’t spiritual doesn’t accept the teachings of God’s Spirit. He thinks they’re nonsense. He can’t understand them because a person must be spiritual to receive them.” (1 Corin. 2:14)
This is important because if Jesus is going to turn over the “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” He wants us to know how to handle this awesome spiritual responsibility because we are being given the authority to bind and loose and whatever we bind or loose on earth will be BOUND OR LOOSED IN HEAVEN! Therefore, we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading!
We must be willing to listen to and obey the Holy Spirit!!!
Listen and obey with me…Bill Stockham