Chapter 65
THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
Matthew 16:19
Before we begin our study let us pray,
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Holy Father, please enable us to understand and take to heart what Your Son, Jesus Christ, is teaching us about the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Amen
INTRODUCTION
In the past three chapters (62, 63, and 64) we have explored various portions of the conversation Jesus once had with His disciples when He asked them; “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” To refresh our memories concerning this conversation, let us read from,
[13] When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” [14] So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” [15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. [18] And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. [19] And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
The Scripture for this study is,
Matthew 16:19
[19] “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
To explore what Jesus is teaching us in the above verse we will:
1. Discover that the binding Jesus is talking about does not refer to the binding of evil spirits.
2. Review some background material for Jesus’ teaching.
3. Examine Jesus’ teaching that is recorded in Matthew 16:19.
4. Review an example of an application of Jesus’ teaching as it was implemented in the church in Corinth.
Let us now begin with the issue of,
BINDING
To see that the binding Jesus is talking about does not refer to the binding evil spirits, let us reflect upon the following two observations.
First of all, whenever Jesus encountered a person who was possessed by an evil spirit or spirits,
JESUS ALWAYS CAST OUT THE EVIL SPIRITS
For an example, let us read about the time when, in the country of the Gergesenes, Jesus encountered two demon possessed men. To do this let us read from,
Matthew 8:28-32
[28] When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. [29] And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” [30] Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. [31] So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” [32] And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.
Secondly, the Bible teaches us that,
SATAN IS BOUND DURING THE FOLLOWING TWO EPOCHS OF TIME
The first epoch of time Is,
During the Millennium
To see this let us read from,
Revelation 20:1-2
[1] Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. [2] He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.
The second epoch of time is,
At the Final Judgment
We see this by reading from,
Revelation 20:7-10
[7] Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison [8] and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. [9] They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. [10] The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
Before we explore Jesus’ teaching of binding and loosing let us review the following:
BACKGROUND MATERIAL
To better understand and appreciate what Jesus is teaching us in verse 19 it will be extremely helpful to address the following two questions: (1) “What and where is the Kingdom of Heaven?” and (2) “What is the context under which Jesus gave this teaching or instruction?”
We begin with,
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
As we read the New Testament we find that the phrases; “Kingdom of Heaven” and “Kingdom of God” are often times used interchangeably.
To help us to understand where or what the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God is, in the context of this study, we will read just two examples of how Jesus used these phrases.
Our first example for how Jesus used the term or phrase, Kingdom of God, is when the Pharisees accused Him of casting out demons by the power of Satan. To read what transpired let us go to,
Luke 11:15-20
[15] But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” [16] Others, testing Him, sought from Him a sign from heaven. [17] But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. [18] If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. [19] And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. [20] But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Let us notice the following verses,
15 … Beelzebub was a name was used to refer to the evil one or Satan.
20 … Jesus told the Pharisees and others that the Kingdom of God had come upon them. In other words, through Jesus Christ, God had demonstrated His power over the demonic world.
Our second example of how Jesus used the phrase Kingdom of God is when the Pharisees asked Him when the Kingdom of God was to come. With this background let us read Jesus’ response as it is recorded in the Gospel according to Luke. To further help us understand what Jesus meant, we will read from the Amplified Bible.
Luke 17:20-21
[20] Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He replied to them saying, The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display. [21] Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! Or, See, [it is] there!. For behold, the kingdom of God is within you (in your hearts) and among you (surrounding you).
Notice, Jesus referred to the time after He would make atonement for the forgiveness of our sins and God the Holy Spirit would come to dwell within the born again believer.
To expand upon this, let us read an excerpt from the exhortation for us to not rely upon external religious activities to bring about the kingdom of God. The passage of interest is in,
Romans 14:17
[17] for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Let us notice the following,
17(a) … The Kingdom of God is not manifested by us trying to comply with religious traditions or manmade ordinances. In this example, it was the issue of whether not to eat or abstain from eating certain foods.
17(b) … This example also illustrates that wherever the Kingdom of God is, there is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Let us now move on and address the question of,
THE CONTEXT
In reflecting upon Romans 14:17, we realize that in these verses Jesus is speaking about His church.
As we discovered in chapter 64, Jesus Christ’s church will be a spiritual house composed of true born-again believers’ in Him. This church or spiritual house is being built to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit. To refresh our memories let us read from,
Ephesians 2:19-22
[19] Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, [22] in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Let us notice the following verses,
19 … Every true born-again believer is a fellow citizen and member of God’s household.
20(a) … The foundation of the apostles and prophets refers to the foundation they set down by proclaiming and teaching the Word of God.
20(b) … We are reminded that Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone of this foundation.
22 … We are also reminded that each one of us, who are born-again believers in Jesus Christ are being built together to become a spiritual house. This house is a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
It is noted that this spiritual house is also called the body of Christ. We discover this by reading from,
1 Corinthians 12:27
[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
The Bible also teaches us that the body of Christ, composed of the born- again believers, is the church. To see this let us read from,
Colossians 1:18
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church; ...
In addition to dwelling within each individual born-again believer in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit also dwells within the true local and corporate church. Hence, the Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God is also there.
With all the above in mind let us now move on to,
THE TEACHING
Before we begin this portion of our study, let us once more reread,
Matthew 16:19
[19] And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
It is noted that the keys to the kingdom of heaven is a metaphor to illustrate the power or authority to open or close the door or entrance into the kingdom of Heaven. Since the whole context under which this teaching is given is the church, this entire teaching in Matthew 16:19 refers to the discipline needed to maintain the spiritual integrity within the body of Christ.
Specifically, Jesus is teaching us that the elders and members of His body, the church, have the authority (the keys) to determine who is to stay (bound) in the church or who is to be removed (loosed) from the church.
To see this we will review the instruction Jesus gave as to what should be done with respect to sin within or among the members of His church. To do this we begin with,
Matthew 18:15-16
[15] “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. [16] But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
Let us notice the following verses,
15 … If a fellow believer sins against us, in private, we are to speak to that person about their sin. If that person repents and asks for forgiveness, we are to forgive them and the situation ends right then.
16 … If the person will not acknowledge their sin, then with two or three or more witnesses, we are to confront that individual with their wrong doing. If the individual repents and asks for forgiveness, we are to forgive them and the situation ends.
To see what is to occur if the sinning party still refuses to acknowledge their sin and repent, we go to,
Matthew 18:17-18
[17] And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. [18] “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Let us notice the following verses,
17(a) … If the person sinning does not heed the rebuke of the witnesses, then the sin of that individual is to be taken to the local church. As we read Paul’s instructions to Timothy, we find it is the responsibility of the elder(s) to publicly rebuke the sinning individual. His instruction on this issue is given in,
1 Timothy 5:20
[20] Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.
Let us now return to Jesus’ instruction and take note of the following verses,
17(b) … If the sinning individual does not heed the rebuke of the elder(s), then that person is to be treated as a non-believer. In other words, they are to lose fellowship with the body of Christ.
18 … In other words, whenever the church on earth decides to remove or release an individual from the church it is to be considered to have also been done in Heaven; this is the loosing of fellowship from the body of Christ. We must remember we are reading about an individual who was rebuked at least three times and still refused to acknowledge their sin and seek forgiveness.
As we will see later in the example of the church in Corinth, if at any time the individual acknowledges their sin and asks for forgiveness, they are to be forgiven and restored to fellowship. This is the binding back into the body of Christ.
Since these disciplinary actions are extremely serious; they cannot be performed by one individual. Specifically, it requires at least two or more to exercise this type of discipline. When exercised in this manner, Jesus Christ Himself is there with them. To see this we go to,
Matthew 18:19-18
[19] “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
To be sure we correctly understand the above instruction and kept it in the proper perspective; we go to read about the discipline that occurred within the church at Corinth.
THE EXAMPLE AT CORINTH
We begin the study of our example by reviewing the discipline that was applied, which was the loosing of the ties to the church. To do this we go to,
THE ISSUE AND PAUL’S DECISION (THE LOOSING)
To do this we go to,
1 Corinthians 5:1-2
[1] It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife! [2] And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.
Let us notice the following verses,
1 … The issue was a situation of sexual immorality. Specifically, a man was having an illicit relationship with his father’s wife.
2 … Notice the attitude that was in the church. In reading the epistle to the Corinthian church we discover that they were very blessed and endowed with spiritual gifts. Thus, the membership was puffed up with respect to all the miraculous and spiritual manifestations that were present in their gatherings. Unfortunately, they missed the whole point of the Gospel and spiritual gifts.
Specifically, they were more concerned with the spiritual activities and manifestations rather than the spiritual growth of the membership. More specifically, they forgot the main reason Jesus Christ came to earth was to deliver us from our sins and save us from its penalty.
Let us now read Paul’s decision as recorded in,
1 Corinthians 5:3-5
[3] For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. [4] In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, [5] deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Let us notice the following verses,
3 … Paul told the church that he already decided or judged that the relationship between the man and his father’s wife was unacceptable and a grave sin.
4 – 5(a) … Paul instructed the congregation in Corinth to expel or loose, in the name of Jesus Christ, the man from the congregation. This loosing was to be done so that Satan could have at his flesh.
5(b) … The whole purpose of expelling the man from the congregation was to save his spirit from eternal damnation. In other words, after Satan attacked his flesh for awhile the hope was the man would repent and seek forgiveness for his sin.
Paul reminded the church in Corinth that if this was not taken care of, it would ultimately affect the whole church. To read Paul’s explanation, we go to,
1 Corinthians 5:6-8
[6] Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? [7] Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. [8] Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Let us notice the following verses,
7 … Since Christ died for the forgiveness of our sins and to provide us the power to overcome them, we are to be as unleavened bread. In other words, as soon as we are aware we have sinned we are to: (1) ask for forgiveness and (2) ask for the help we need to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome those wicked desires. Unfortunately, in this case, there was no request for forgiveness or evidence of repentance. Consequently, Paul instructed the congregation to purge out or loose, from the church that old leaven of sin.
8 … In other words, by following Paul’s instruction the church would be able to keep the feast of the Lord’s supper without the old leaven of sin but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. In other words, they would then be partaking of the bread and wine in a worthy manner.
Today we often hear or read we are not to judge the behavior of the elders, or members of the church. However, this is not in harmony with God’s word. To see this let us now read what the Holy Spirit wrote by the hand of Paul for,
THE EXPLANATION
To read what the Holy Spirit wrote with respect to judging, we go to,
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
[9] I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. [10] Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. [11] But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. [12] For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? [13] But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”
Let us notice the following verses,
9-10 … We are to not to avoid those who are non-believers that are covetous, idolaters, etc. If that were to case, we would have to leave the world.
11 … However, we are to avoid those who claim to be born-again believers in Jesus Christ and live in sin.
13(a) … The behavior of those who are non-believers God will judge.
13(b) … Again, the Holy Spirit, through the pen of Paul, instructed the congregation in Corinth to sever, that is to loose, the relationship of the sinning person from their fellowship. Remember, this was the case were there was a refusal to repent and ask for forgiveness.
As one reflects upon this instruction, the following question comes to mind; “Once the sinful person is out of the church, is that it, done and over with?”
The answer to this question is no. The issue is not the fact that they sinned. We all sin and fall short of God’s glory. The issue is what we do when we discover that we are sinning. Do we repent and seek forgiveness? Or continue as if nothing is wrong? We must never forget that there is the other side of things. Specifically, the restoring, the forgiving and the binding back into fellowship. To see this, we return to the Corinthians and explore the,
FORGIVENESS, RESTORATION AND THE BINDING BACK
Before we return to the situation in Corinth let us first read the following instruction about how many times we are to offer forgiveness to others. The passage of interest is in,
Luke 17:3-4
[3] “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. [4] And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
In reflecting upon the above Scripture, notice the word if. It is noted that in the instruction we reviewed in Matthew, also had these same ifs. To see this let us read again,
Matthew 18:15-17
[15] “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. [16] But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ [17] And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”
In other words, if the sinning person asks for forgiveness and repents of their sin, they are to be forgiven. In the case of those who have been loosed from the fellowship of the church they too, when they repent and seek forgiveness, are to be forgiven and fellowship is to be restored.
With this in mind let us now return to the situation in Corinth and read what ultimately happened. To do this we go to,
2 Corinthians 2:5-6
[5] But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. [6] This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man.
Let us notice the following verses,
5-6 … Paul warned the church to not be too severe and that their punishment was sufficient. “Why did he say this?” The answer to this question is provided in the following Scriptures,
2 Corinthians 2:7-11
[7] so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. [8] Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. [9] For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. [10] Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, [11] lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.
7 … The time had come for the congregation to forgive and comfort the man who was disciplined. The reason for this was that Paul believed the man was truly sorry for what he had done and did not want him to be overcome with sorrow.
8 … Paul’s instruction to the people was to extend their love to the expelled man. In other words, they were to lovingly receive him back into their Christian fellowship, which is the binding back into the local church.
10 … The membership was to forgive the man. Paul also told them that, for their sakes, in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he had already forgiven him. The question arises as to; “Why for their sake?” The answer is recorded in the following verse.
11 … The purpose of this forgiveness was not only for the repentant party but also for the members within the church at Corinth. They were to do this so as to not allow Satan to take advantage of them.
This does raise the question; ”How can we be taken advantage of by Satan?” To find out let us refresh our memories by reading,
THE PARABLE OF THE UNMERCIFUL SLAVE
To read this parable we go to,
[23] Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. [24] And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. [25] But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. [26] The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ [27] Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. [28] “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ [29] So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ [30] And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. [31] So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. [32] Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. [33] Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ [34] And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. [35] “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”
Let us pay particular attention the following verses,
32-35 … In other words, we are to be careful to not become so angry, bitter or self righteous that we cannot or will not be ready to extend God’s grace, mercy and forgiveness to a repentant fallen member of the body of Christ. However, if we do allow the evil one to harden our hearts then he has taken advantage of us and we too will become a fallen member of the body of Christ.
Shall We Pray?