KEYS OF THE KINGDOM

  

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. Matt 16:19

Every kingdom has a key. Some of these keys are direct, and others are indirect. While some keys are material, others are immaterial. For example, your car key is material, that is you can see it, however, your ATM access code, is a key also, though it is immaterial. Therefore, your action is a key, while your inaction, is also a key on its own. Ancient kingdoms in those days had keys, which is used to shut the people in, and strangers out.

Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. Joshua 6:1

Even your domain, in this case, I mean your apartment, or your house as the case may be has keys. Each of the room has its own unique key that opens it. Therefore, there is a key for every stage in life.

When you ask the question, “what is a key?”, you can be sure to find different meaning, depending on the individuals answering your questions. However, one thing that you will come to realize in all the answers that will be given is this: a key is something that makes you understand or able to achieve something.

Jesus began Matt. 16:19, by saying, “And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven:”. That means it is the keys of heaven that unlocks the earth. There is no earthly power that will be too strong to be overpowered by another earthly power; it’s just a matter of time. That was why Jesus said, a kingdom that is divided against itself shall not stand.

The key that rules this earth is not found here, it is up there above. Jesus stated this very emphatically, when He said, He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. John 3:31. You need to understand what Jesus is saying. Firstly, He said, “He that cometh from above is above all”. Then, so that you might understand that the “above” He was referring to is not just the sky as some ancient stories and myth has made us believe, He now made it clearer by saying, “he that cometh from heaven is above all”. 

Understand this: You’re from heaven, you’re heaven sent, and you should be heaven bound. You’re to reign here on earth with heavenly principles. You’re Heaven’s citizen!

For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Phil 3:20-21

You can read the same bible passage in the other translations stated below:

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil 3:20-21 (NIV)

But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. Phil. 3:20-21 (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

 

With the keys of the kingdom of heaven, you can exercise dominion over the earth. King David had a perfect understanding of this timeless truth, hence, he said,

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help .My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Ps 121:1-2

   

THE KEY OF PRAYER

Prayer is a kingdom key. Prayer is very important. In fact prayer is very critical to the success of anyone on this earthly plain, hence, everyone must pray. To buttress the importance of prayers, even those who serve other gods pray. You can’t imagine how much of their time and energy they commit to prayers.

The statement, “Thy kingdom come”, was the answer to the disciples request when they said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us how to pray”. It was a statement made by Jesus Christ during a teaching session on prayer.

Prayer is one of the keys of the kingdom. The key of prayer is very potent. Jesus had promised, saying, “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.” Matt 16:19. Prayer enforces the statement, “thy will be done here on earth as it is in heaven”. Prayer brings to practical manifestation the spoken and the revealed will of God for the lives and destinies of people, an environment, or even a country at large.

Across several passages of the scriptures, the will of God is revealed.  Every of God’s will and promises are realistic in His kingdom. So, when you pray God’s kingdom into your life, you are actually saying that only the things permitted in God’s kingdom should be permitted in your life henceforth. 

 

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Rev 21:3

When you pray, you’re making your tabernacle God tabernacle, and wherever God Almighty tabernacles, Satan cannot stand. This is true.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Rev 21:4

The key of prayers, particularly, effectual and effective prayers wards off the intrusion of the uncircumcised into your life. Whatever that questions the authority of God, and the infallibility of His word is uncircumcised. Whatever or whoever that tries to make God a liar in your life is uncircumcised, and they must be uprooted by the key of prayers.

Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean. Isa 52:1

You establish the kingdom of God in your life through prayers. Prayers is not only strength, it strengthens, hence, the saying: a prayer less Christian is a powerless Christian. In other words, a prayerful Christian is a powerful Christian.

The powerful truth about prayers is that: God Almighty is expecting your prayers. He said,  

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jer 33:3. The angels are waiting for your prayers as well. Rev 8:3-4 says, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.” Even the enemies will not surrender till you begin aggressive prayers. David said, “As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places”. Ps 18:44-45

There are treasures in darkness, and hidden riches abound in secret places. It is in those dark places of the earth that treasures abound. As you pray, God will not only open your eyes to those riches, He will teach you how to harness them.

 

THE KEY OF PRAISE

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Matt 6:9

Another way by which the kingdom of God can come into your life is when you praise His name. As you hallow the name of God, He comes to tabernacle with you, and wherever God tabernacles, He takes absolute control.

It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the Lord, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God. 2 Chron. 5:13-14

The key of praise is so vital that it cannot only unlock heavily closed doors, it can even open up the earth, and make it fruitful again, and again.

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.6 Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us.7 God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear him. Ps 67:5-7

I want you to note that the scripture above says, “Then shall he earth yield her increase…”. The word, “earth” is used, not, “world”. There is no increase for the world to yield, because it actually has nothing genuine. It is the earth that is blessed, not the world. Everything the world claims to have actually came from the earth. Man himself came from the earth.  There are more untapped resources and resources in this earth.  How do we praise God, and the earth will yield her increase? What’s the connection between praise and the earth? The earth has ears, and it can hear. As you praise God wholeheartedly, He will speak to the earth, and it will yield her increase unto you. God has His ways of meeting your needs. God is all you need to have all your needs met.

THE KEY OF GIVING

Giving is a powerful kingdom key. The king of kings gave us a practical example of this when He gave His only begotten Son to die for the sin of the world.  That act of sacrificial giving has been bringing many sons and daughters into God’s kingdom. Whenever God wants to bless you, He creates an opportunity for you to give. At other times, He demands sacrificial offerings from you, just because He wants to bless you. God knows your needs even before you realize them at all. So, He would have created opportunities for you to give, so that when those needs eventually arise, they would be supernaturally met. See everything opportunity to give as an opportunity to be blessed. Hence, the saying, “offering time, blessing time”. Be seed conscious, and not need conscious. It is a kingdom principle that when you give to God, you create an opportunity for Him to give to you, and you can be sure of running-over measures in return.

When God decided to bring His kingdom to humanity, He gave up Jesus Christ. Equally, you’ll have to give your life to Jesus Christ to become a kingdom child.

I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

Therefore, if you want to see God, you go through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was given up for the sins of the world, therefore, He’s not just a way; He is The Way. Jesus Christ is The ONLY WAY to God Almighty. In addition to being The Way, Jesus Christ is also The Truth, and The Life. In addition to being The Way, The Truth, and The Life, Jesus Christ is The Door.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9

Pastures are kingdom benefits. They are “all these things” that will be added unto you when you seek first the kingdom of God. With Jesus Christ, not only will you find pastures, the ones you will find will be green, very fresh ones. In addition, you’ll be find so much pastures, such that you will even lie down in them.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Ps 23:2

   

God did not spare His only begotten son to bring you into the kingdom, you are not supposed to spare anything in receiving what God has brought your way, and in propagating His kingdom. To seek the kingdom of God first could also mean: seeking to do those things that will bring God’s kingdom nearer to the earth. When you support projects that establishes and enhances God’s kingdom, like giving to support church projects, mission outreach to orphanages and the less priviledged, etc, you are seeking first the kingdom of God as well. The blessings that follow are always overwhelmed.

Your comments on this post will be highly appreciated. Send them to joiintheirsp@gmail.com, chrisogbebor@gmail.com