Who holds the key to the Kingdom of Heaven? Who will open the door to people of faith?
Appearing to the apostle John near the end of John’s life, a glorified Christ revealed that He is the one who holds the key permitting entry into God’s eternal kingdom. Jesus is the rightful key holder, reigning as Messiah, Lord, and King in the line of David.
John writes, quoting Jesus:
7 These things says He who is holy, He who is true, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. Revelation 3:7 (NKJV)
When Jesus walked through the cities and villages of Israel, sixty-five years prior to this appearance to John, He was asked who might enter the eternal kingdom of God.
22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”
And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out. 29 They will come from the east and the west, from the north and the south, and sit down in the kingdom of God. 30 And indeed there are last who will be first, and there are first who will be last.” Luke 13:22-30 (NKJV)
We can pull out a few observations from Jesus’ stunning statement:
First, there is a narrow gate of entry. Jesus has said that He is the door at this narrow gate, and all who want to enter must come through Him.
7 Then Jesus said to them again, “Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:7-11 (NKJV)
Second, we observe that hanging around with and watching Jesus is different from earnestly seeking Him and sincerely inviting Him into our heart. Calling ourselves Christians on Sunday and acting wickedly on Monday may not cut it with the kingdom’s Doorkeeper. He loves us and gave up His life for ours on the cross, but we must accept His Kingship and make Him a priority in our life. When we do this, we have the peace and assurance of salvation. Our wicked thoughts, words, and actions diminish as we undergo a life-long process of sanctification. Other than Christ, nobody this side of heaven was ever sinless, even the most mature Christians. We need to confess our sins to God on a regular basis for His forgiveness and cleansing. But if we never make Jesus a priority, pray, confess our sins, or seek to do His will in our life, He has the right to one day question whether we know Him.
Finally, we see that all the Old Testament prophets will be there in the kingdom. God is the God of both the Old and the New Testaments. His words, calling, and covenants are never revoked. The Lord has not abandoned His people, nor will He ever. The book of Revelation unveils God’s plans for all of us as the times and seasons of His kingdom approach.
Reflection
Do you know the Lord Jesus? If not, invite Him into your heart today. His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Father God, thank You for Jesus, who bore all our sins on the cross and rose from the dead, fully paying the price for our redemption. May we turn to Him in sincere faith and grow to know Him more each day as we seek to walk with Him and follow Your will. Praise You for the assurance of our eternal salvation. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a blessed and beautiful day in the Lord today.
Times and Seasons - The Book of Revelation FOR TODAY 