Who actually holds the key to the Kingdom of Heaven, to open its 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 ultimate One who holds that 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 to the church of Philadelphia, delivering this message from 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)
Sixty-five years earlier, as Jesus walked through the cities of Israel, He was asked who might enter into 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)
This is a stunning statement by Jesus. It is a rebuke of those whose hearts were consistently hard and opposed to Him, firmly rejecting His generous invitation of salvation through faith. The Old Testament saints will be there in His kingdom, but those who were around Christ without accepting His Messianic kingship and authority will be denied entry.
We can pull out a few key observations from His message:
First, there is a narrow gate of entry into the kingdom of heaven. Jesus has said that He is the door at this narrow gate, and all who want to enter must come through Him. Those who attempt to enter via the thief, Satan, or one of his counterfeit teachers, will be grievously disappointed.
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 being around people who worship Jesus, even on Sunday morning, is very different from earnestly seeking Him ourselves, and sincerely inviting Him into our own heart through faith. Calling ourselves Christian by culture or birth, but living as if God does not even exist, likely will not cut it with the kingdom’s Doorkeeper. He loves us and gave up His life for ours on the cross, but wants us to accept Him and His Kingship by faith, and to make Him a priority in our lives.
When we do turn our lives over to the care of Christ, we begin to experience His peace and joy in our hearts, and to have the assurance of eternal salvation by faith. Our thoughts, words, and actions become more like Jesus as we undergo the life-long process of sanctification. Other than Christ, nobody this side of heaven was ever sinless, even the most mature Christians. We confess our sins to God on a regular basis for His forgiveness and cleansing. But, on the other hand, if we never seek to make Jesus a priority, pray, confess our sins, or try to do His will in our life, He does have the right to one day question our sincerity, as well.
Finally, we see that the Old Testament prophets will be there with Christians in the coming kingdom. God is the God of both the Old and the New Testaments, Jew and Gentile. God’s words, calling, and covenants are never revoked. The Lord has not abandoned His people Israel, 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, why not invite Him into your heart today – today is the acceptable time. His yoke is easy and His burden is light, and Christ’s awesome power can and will handle any challenges and struggles which come our way. He will never leave nor forsake His believers, now or ever.
Father God, thank You for Jesus, who bore all our sins on the cross and was raised 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 