Keys in the Bible
Authority to open and shut.
Keys in the Bible signify delegated authority — the key of the house of David, the keys of the kingdom given to Peter, and the keys of death and hell held by the risen Christ.
Key KJV Verses
"And the key of the house of David will I lay upon his shoulder; so he shall open, and none shall shut..."
"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven..."
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore...and have the keys of hell and of death."
Authority to open and shut
The key signifies the right to grant or deny entrance. Eliakim received the key of David as steward; Christ holds that key in His own right (Revelation 3:7).
Keys of the kingdom
Peter, with the apostles, was given the keys of the kingdom — the gospel itself, by which sinners are loosed from sin and welcomed into the household of God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do keys symbolize in the Bible?
Delegated authority — to open or shut, bind or loose, grant access or deny it.
What are the keys of the kingdom?
The gospel and apostolic teaching by which entrance into Christ's kingdom is announced.
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