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"Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16-19)
Recently, I was surfing the TV channels when one event caught my eye. The mayor of one of America's bigger cities was conducting a ceremony whereby he was presenting one of his citizens with a Key to the City, for a deed well done.
To give someone the key to the city is a major event. The key symbolizes access and authority for some great service preformed. In the New Testament Jesus is our key holder, holding the keys to death and hell. (Revelation 1:18)
In Scripture, we have the account of Jesus declaring that He would build His church on the truth of Peter’s noble confession, Jesus gave Peter “the keys of the kingdom of heaven,” not the keys to heaven.
The Apostle Peter used these "Keys of the Kingdom" to open the door at Pentecost when he preached his famous sermon (Acts 2:14-36), whereby over 3000 were saved, establishing the first church. (Acts 2:41-47) These keys were also used in the preaching to the Samaritans after the preaching of Philip (Acts 8:14-17), and to the Gentiles after the Lord had sent Peter a vision and an appeal from Cornelius. (Acts 10:23-48) (Please read these background scriptures.)
Now, Jesus has given the Church (that is us) the "Keys Of The Kingdom.” How may you use these keys? By the faithful witnessing and preaching of the gospel (John 3:3), and by showing that the true, full gospel (I Cor. 15:1-4) is the substitutionary death of Christ and His subsequent resurrection. (Romans 10:9-10)
So, with this bit of commentary, let me ask the question. Do you dream? If so, do you have repetitive dreams, or are your dreams oftentimes presented as sequential events? I've been there and done that. However, I feel some of my subconscious events, which some may call dreams, for me may just be actual spiritual thoughts of mine.
The occurrences may just be modern day parables, portraying an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. However, whether divinely given, or figments of an adventuring mind, these episodes always seem to have a Biblical base, such as this related blog. So, here goes another of my subconscious experience.
I found myself on a lonely road to nowhere when suddenly seemly coming out of the clouds, was the outline of a man. His stature was larger than life. He was dressed all in white, his face shone like the sun, and his eyes had a certain gleam about them. One particular feature that stood out was the golden key ring he was wearing around his neck, which was holding several shining gold keys.
I hesitated for a moment, then got up the nerve to approach him. "Who are you?” I asked. "And what's with the key ring and keys?”
He responded by raising his hands as if in prayer and simply said, “Have you not heard of the Keys of the Kingdom ? Keys are made to open things and close things, depending on the proper message of the kingdom.”
“I know that, but what's here on this old, dusty road to open or close, as may be the case? There's no kingdom out here.” I responded.
I failed to receive an answer to my questions, as this unknown figure of a man suddenly disappeared in like manner as he had arrived. As he was moving upward, I heard him shout, " Sometimes the most powerful commentary on a king is made by those who are silent." After he gave me this closing remark, I could not help thinking, what king and why keep silent ?
Nonetheless, by some marvelous phenomenon the gold key ring with the keys was left behind. This key ring was lying in what appeared to be a recently burned-out area of the ground, and the keys appeared to take on the glow of a neon light. I decided to pick up the key ring, which appeared to have a number of keys bearing different inscriptions.
When I stooped to pick up the key ring, I happened to notice a handwritten note lying on the ground entitled "The Keys of the Kingdom.” I began to read.
"Never forget, my faithful friend, the main key on this key ring is the Gospel, and the power of the keys of this key ring, are all based on this Gospel. It is not something that rests in any one individual or even in the church as an institution, but simply the Gospel message. That is because the final authority rests with the power of the Gospel. (1 Cor 15:1-4) Use these keys very carefully in witnessing for the Gospel. They are to unlock the mysteries of God's eternal Plan of Salvation. And never keep silent, in spreading the gospel, no matter how badly the public receives you.”
“Also, remember, my faithful friend, keys can also be used to lock doors as well as open them. If you preach any other false gospel, you will lock the door to the true salvation, and you will come under the threat of God's curse.” (Galatians 1:6-9)
“My faithful friend, use these Keys of the Kingdom as God’s gift to His people to state Heaven’s verdict on who will and will not enter the Kingdom based on their response to the Gospel. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Gently pick up these keys, and use them to unlock the fruit of the Spirit and not the works of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16)
So I obeyed, witnessing of the fruit of the Spirit, and not the works of the Flesh. (Galatians 5:17-18) For as I picked up the key ring, each key happened to have a separate inscription announcing the various "Works of the Spirit.”
"“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:19-23)
I still am puzzled however, as to this mysterious encounter. Who was he? Why single me out with this message? Was he an angelic being? (Hebrews 13:2) Was he simply my Lord speaking through my subconscious mind?
One thing I do sense. I don't feel this was a dream. Could it have been a vision, or maybe a spiritual trance, or real life parable? I may never really know. After all, it's not so much the messenger, as long as the true message is delivered. (Galatians 5:24-26)
I realize now that was the message this stranger was portraying. (Galatians 6:6). Amen!
Author's Postscript
Now, the question of the day. Is your church preaching the true full gospel? (1 Cor 15:1-4) The purpose of the church should be two-fold; the salvation of the lost and the edification of the saints (Believers).
I have belief that the church can best worship and serve the community through a congregational form of church government, and at the same time remain loyal to the fundamental principles that are recorded in the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and not being unmindful of the heritage that is the church in and through the Holy Church of New Testament faith, brought about as a result of Pentecost. (Acts 2:41-47)
Sad to say, in these last days, many churches, and individuals have turned to apostasy. (II Timothy 3:1-7, 9, 13) (II Timothy 4:3-4) (II Peter 3:3-4) We all must be concerned, respecting the false and lying spirits. (I John 4:1-3) (Jude 1:4, 16-19)
Yes, I have a dire conviction against any false gospel, any gospel that goes against this blog’s theme of the "Keys of the Kingdom.” A good benediction for us believers is found in (Jude 1:24-25). Please employ this benediction in your daily Bible reading, your daily prayer, and your daily witness to the true gospel. Amen!
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