Scriptural Validation of “The Key” 1 Scriptural Validation Of “The Key” Sermon Notes 2 “The Key” & Once Saved Always Saved The following was based off sermon notes regarding “The Key To Heaven” and is just a collection of points. Explanation is limited though Scriptural references are included. I have used the NIV Bible, not because I think it is necessarily the ‘best’ but because it states these points clearly while still agreeing with the KJV. The information on this page does not touch on the “once saved, always saved” argument which some people put forward. This can be found on the second page of these notes. Graham Pockett The Power Of The Keys Isaiah 22:22 says: “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” [NIV] The ‘key’ here is a key of power – it means “anointing oil” (taken from Strong's 4668 – Myrna, anointing oil). As David is a type of Christ, this key represents the power God can give to man. It is not available for everybody – only for selected people. Notice that this ‘key’ is a burden – it lays upon the shoulder like a yoke. After the New Covenant everything changed. Matthew 16:19 says: “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.” [NIV] (note that bind = forbid and loose = permit) He passed the authority of the key to Peter which was then passed to all the Apostles and Disciples and then to all Christians. Matthew 18:18 says: “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” [NIV] John 20:21-23 says: 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [NIV] So the ‘Power of the Keys’ was invested in the Apostles, and through them to all Christians. This investiture has its roots in a scribe’s ordination where he was given a key as a symbol. Luke 11:52 says: Jesus said: “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” [NIV] The “experts in the law” were the scribes, and the “key to knowledge” was the key they received when ordained. Here Jesus is talking about how they have abused the knowledge they had by withholding what they knew and the anointing which goes with that authority. Matthew 13:52 says: Jesus said: “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” [NIV] So this key, this key of power, this key which is like anointing oil, can unlock the storeroom and bring out treasures – by that we mean the Gifts of the Spirit. The “Key” that we get when we are saved is that same key – one which can unlock the storeroom of the Gifts of the Spirit. In passing this key on to us, Jesus has still retained the key to Hell. This is mentioned in Revelation 1:18 where He says “And I hold the keys of death and Hades” [NIV]. Points: the Key of David, which is often called the “The Power Of The Keys” (New Bible Dictionary), meant “anointing oil” in ancient Hebrew this Key was bestowed upon individual men, it was not offered to everyone this Key was also a burden – there was a responsibility to having it Jesus was the holder of this Key Jesus handed over His power, through the Key, to the first Disciples, and therefore to the rest of the church the Key was symbolized by the scribes who were given a key on ordination this Key unlocked the storerooms and the vaults – symbols of the Gifts of the Spirit we have the same opportunity to exercise the power of the Key as did the first Disciples after Pentecost “The Key To Heaven” When you get “The Key To Heaven” you can do basically three things with it. You can put it aside, you can carry it in your pocket, or you can hang it around your neck. Satan is trying at all times to get you to take it down from around your neck and put it in your pocket – and then from your pocket to putting it “near” you. I choose to hang “The Key To Heaven” proudly around my neck for the world to see. I am a Christian!!! I am not ashamed of being a Christian and I announce it to the world. Yes, having the “Key” hanging around your neck can sometimes be an embarrassment. It can also make life hard for you at times. However, while others can see who and what you are, so can you. You have this constant reminder – this key is a burden, it gets between you and your earthly desires. We all need reminding about how to live and we are all tempted and can easily be swayed by desire. How have you been tempted lately? your marriage is going through a rocky time and there is a nice looking man/women who has made his/her interest in you clear... you are running late for an appointment and there isn’t a police vehicle in sight... you have to pay your taxes and you've heard about this terrific way to hide some of your income or assets from the government... Besides, doesn't everyone else do it? Hanging the Key proudly around your neck reminds you of the commitment as much as it reminds the people you come in contact with that you are a Christian. Above all, let the Light of Jesus shine forth from you, bathing all that come near you with His holy Love. Pray that the Light will dispel any darkness in your life, and in the lives of people near you.     ...click on the key to return to “The Key To Heaven” You can write to me at editor@anointedlinks.com. All mail will be read but you may not get a response due to my current workload. Link To “The Key”? If you like “The Key To Heaven” message you can add the following link to your webpage. Get the HTML code here Email a friend: Send this page to a friend! Note: Email addresses will only be used to send site content to your friend. We do not collect them.   Could this key save your life? Click on it to find out. Graham’s Christian writing: "Graham Pockett doesn't mince any words, but he writes with a kind heart. If you have questions about such things as "once saved, always saved", or why so many different ideas can come from the same scripture, or how much what we see and do affects us as spiritual beings, you'll find much to think about here."  from This Christian Life Download these articles: GrahamsWriting.zip The Key To Heaven  (an analogy about commitment) I Am A Cynic; Therefore I Am A Christian “Once Saved Always Saved” – a dangerous delusion? Who is my Neighbor? – featuring "The Parable of the Good Muslim" Bashing The Bible – misusing & abusing Scripture Two Billion Doctrines – the strange religion called Christianity Does God Ever Change His Mind? – Calvin would turn in his grave! New Wine In An Old Skin – the problem of legalism in the church today Are You Hard Boiled, Or Soft & Runny? – doctrines are like an egg shell The Bible is an "iffy" book – a look at the conditional promises of God Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? – what did Jesus really look like? Why I Quote The NIV Bible – is it an heretical Bible? “Omissions” from the NIV Bible – a look at 17 missing verses Do You Believe In Miracles? – you do when they happen to you! "Why Didn't God Answer My Prayer For A Miracle?" – my response Christian Concepts – the cavern of life  (an analogy) Christian Concepts – the three crosses  (an analogy) Christian Concepts – we are what we eat Christian Concepts – when are we saved?  (an analogy) Christian Concepts – when we are saved, part 1  ...part 2 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20 NIV Enter your search terms Submit search form   Anointed Christian Links Web     ...click on the key to return to “The Key To Heaven” To Button Bar © Graham Pockett Last Updated: Wednesday, April 23, 2008