What is the first thing you think about when you hear the word key or keys? I would imagine you get a picture in your mind of a key or a group of keys perhaps on a key ring.

The main purpose of a key is to lock and unlock a door or device such as a padlock. I am very familiar with my set of keys. Some are color coded for convenience because several keys may look alike or very similar. The one I use to open or shut my back door is the most often used. I am confident when I come to that door, with that key, that I will be able to unlock the door. I do not get anxious or fearful that the door will not open, because I know that I have the proper key to open that door. I have used it hundreds, probably thousands of times and not once has it not opened the door!

Keys are mentioned in the scriptures in several different passages and I want us to look at a few. Probably the most common one is found in Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind (lock) on earth will be bound (locked) in heaven, and whatever you loose (unlock) on earth will be loosed (unlocked) in heaven.”

Jesus said in Revelation 1:18 that He holds the keys of death and Hades. The key to the bottomless pit was given to Jesus (Revelation 9:1)

Another key mentioned is the key of knowledge (Luke 11:52). Knowledge can unlock all kinds of opportunities to explore new areas of interest or need. A supernatural word of knowledge will many times unlock an individual who was previously bound in an area that they could not seem to get free – almost like a prison – until the proper key was applied.

In both Revelation 3:7 and Isaiah 22:22 Jesus has/holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.

So a key is a way of opening and closing – whether it is a literally door or a spiritual door. Keys can bring knowledge, unlock mysteries and bring freedom. Not only does Jesus have the keys to death, hell and the grave and can loose each one of us from any prison/bondage that we may find ourselves in, but He has also given to us, His sons and daughters, keys of the kingdom of heaven, which I believe are to be used while we are here on this earth to lock and unlock things.

We are to operate just like He did while He was here on earth. Keys of the kingdom of heaven when used properly will unlock prison doors for those who are bound by our enemy. Keys of the Kingdom of heaven will bind (lock up) the enemy where he cannot continue to operate in the illegal ways he has been. Out of ignorance mostly, much of the church does not use these keys often enough. For whatever reason we think that he is more powerful than we are. He is most definitely good at intimidating, causing fear and confusion, putting blame on God or His sons and daughters. But – all authority, in heaven and on earth has been conferred to us as His sons and daughters and we must learn how to use these keys to set people free and bind up the illegal influence the enemy has been using to deceive God’s creation.

One of the keys that the Lord has given me revelation and understanding on is the Key of David. (Isaiah 22:22) I think most people recognize that this key has to do with authority and certainly using it in the ways mentioned above is part of it. I personally believe it is the “master key”. A master key is one that can open all of the doors in a building even though individual keys may be used by those who do not carry the authority to open every door in that building. A janitor may have a master key to the building he and his staff are responsible for taking care of. I feel certain there are other types of buildings that use a master key which is usually only given to one or a few responsible people to have access to every single room in that building.

While the Key of David certainly does represent authority to lock and unlock and the Word of God clearly acknowledges that “all power in heaven and on earth has been given” to us, I believe the Lord showed me (many years ago) that the name of that key is Love. God’s love working in and through us can unlock the most difficult situation in which a person may be bound – a prison, sometimes of their own making or just due to life’s circumstances. No demon in hell including the devil himself can stand against true agape love. It is a love that was demonstrated by the Godhead at the cross. It is the love that is available to us because He lives inside of us. It is the love Paul wrote about in I Corinthians 13. It is the key that will unlock any hardened heart and set any captive free – no matter what has bound them. We cannot fathom the depth of God’s love for us nor His desire to see that love demonstrated through His sons and daughters.

However, Paul prayed that we would begin to fathom and demonstrate this very love. Take the time to read the whole prayer in Ephesians 3: 14-21. Let me quote several verses: “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Can you imagine a community operating in that kind of love for our fellow citizens? That is what I dream about and pray for! Won’t you join me and begin to make it your daily prayer – for yourself first and then for our whole community?