Keys

Of the eight occurrences of the word key or keys in the Scriptures, only one has a purely literal meaning (Judges 3:25). The other Old Testament occurrence has both a literal and a symbolic idea, of which more later. All the New Testament uses are symbolic and speak of authority to open and close the kingdom of heaven. The words in the original have simple meanings: to open wide, an opener, a key; to close, shut up, a key. In Isaiah 22 we read of Eliakim, who was appointed by God to be prefect...