KEYS OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN From:Ephrem Hagos (amba@ethionet.et) Sent: Mon 8/04/08 6:16 AM 'ALVIN MITCHELL' (hossnhousexpress@hotmail.com); birukm2000@yahoo.com; cecil@freedomsring.org; daniel@internationalrevival.org; demelashlemma@yahoo.com; amsaledemissie@yahoo.com; egebissa@kettering.edu; elsa@ethionet.et; hayele@ece.aau.edu.et; jfj@jewsforjesus.org; lieltlily@yahoo.com; mehretabbb@yahoo.com; To: mekuriays@yahoo.com; marthatangl@cox.net; 'Rahel Zerihun Legesse' (RahelZ@ethiopianairlines.com); 'Solomon Endrias' (sendrias@hotmail.com); 'Tekeste' (tekestekm@yahoo.com); 'Tsehaynesh Gorfu' (tsegorfu@gmail.com); tatek.sammare@ethionet.et; tsgykebede@yahoo.com; 'Tagash Sahilu' (tagashs@yahoo.com); 'Workwha Ogubamichael' (workwha@yahoo.com); y.g.gorfe@ethionet.et
Dear A to Y, I should be very grateful if you would edit, correct, comment or disagree, if you wish, with the following content analysis of a key but highly misunderstood passage in Scriptures. Defined in the context of their unique reference (Matt. 16: 13-23), the original meaning of “the keys of the Kingdom of heaven” is briefly borne out by the following contentanalysis of the passage.
QUESTION: “Who do you say I am?” ANSWER: Identification of Jesus Christ as “Son of the living God”, i.e., immortal. SOLUTION: “…directly by my Father in heaven”. SIGNIFICANCE: Answer to constitute death-defying, identity-revealing, rock foundation of the Church (“the Temple of His body”) to be built at Jesus’ suffering and death. APPLICATION: “The keys” refer to humanly hard-to-accept knowledge about the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven based on knowing the identity of Jesus Christ strictly as prescribed at His suffering and death. For details, please refer to www.the2keys.com.
Unless you speak out, your silence will be treated as acceptance. God bless you in any case! Yours truly, Ephrem
The Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven
Friend, you may flatter yourself in whatever way you like, but, be advised that at no time under no circumstance does my silence in the face of any of your or anyone else’s theological hogwash in anyway imply complicity or acceptance thereof on my part! Who
made you a “standard-bearer” and a law-giver? We are in no way bound or limited by any constraints or limits you may design to set. Why must I or anyone else be subject to the likes of you, particularly when we know what we are doing—by consequence of which knowledge we busy ourselves with the spreading and teaching of the Word of the Living God to the edification and strengthening of many a searching, thirsting soul— while you on the other hand persist in these frivolous arguments, ideosencracies and other idle pursuits? Nonetheless, in answer to your query, Jesus said of Himself, “I am the way; I am the Truth; I am the Life. There is no way any man can ever come and stand before the Father except it be through Me”. The statement is first and foremost, largely metaphorical. That is, no one will ever get to Heaven by bypassing Him. Thus, Mr. Hagos, one cannot go wrong if he construes or understands the “keys to the kingdom of Heaven” to be simply that whole body of knowledge, containing all the information concerning Himself (His origin, birth, earthly walk, death burial—for the remission of our sins; not His!—His resurrection and ascension back to where He came from), i.e., the entire gospel message, by means of which Heaven is opened and made accessible to all who will believe— embracing the Son in faith! I.e., the keys to the kingdom of Heaven are all of the tenets, doctrines and teachings pertaining to the gospel message (Matt. 16:19; 18:18; Jn. 20:23). The “keys” are nothing else; they involve nothing else. They are not “mystical” or metaphysical. Moreover, sir, these “keys” of necessity include an indispensable Ingredient, or “Key” in the Person, presence, and work of the Holy Spirit, who provides the essential leadership, guidance; strengthen and encouragement we need (Jn 14:16-17, 24-26; 15:26-27; 16:714)—all on behalf of, in the interest of and in the Name of the Son. Beyond this sphere of understanding, Mr. Hagos, there are no “keys” to the Kingdom of Heaven. In your evident unwavering determination to occupy in a realm where obviously you do not belong, I cannot help but feel this information will be “wasted” on you. Nonetheless, there you have it! Bye. Alvin