​[Intro to All Things Made New Series – taken from Revelation chapters 20 through 21]
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​Keys are such a powerful tool, a great defensive, and offensive weapon to have in spiritual warfare. And yet, it is a tool that many Christians do not understand nor do we know how to properly use.
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In John’s vision, he described at Revelation chapter 20, verse 1 that he saw “… an angel coming down from heaven, having the key….” This is also repeated at Revelation chapter 1, verse 18 where Jesus said, “… I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”
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The Blue Letter Bible defines ‘keys’ this way. “The keeper of the keys has the power to open and shut. Keys denote power and authority of various kinds” (BLB, 2022). 
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Now, I will admit, I am guilty of not fully understanding the significance of keys in GOD’s Kingdom. Why do some sons and daughters of GOD’s Kingdom are given keys? And for what purpose? I want to explore this little this morning. But again, please be mindful that I am limited in my knowledge and understanding when it comes to Kingdom keys. But as always, I am simply obeying the Spirit of the LORD and flowing as the Spirit leads me.

I know it is time to finally release the word GOD has given me in Revelation chapters 20 through 21 that I have been talking about off and on since September 20. But it wasn’t until this morning that I felt a pull toward my notes that I have taken on these two chapters, between September 20 through November 11. When I skim read my notes this morning, I wasn’t sure how GOD wanted me to share the content because I have 21 ½ pages of notes. So, as I sat, waiting for instructions from the LORD. I felt compelled to reread Revelation chapter 20, which I did not get very far.
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As soon as I read it, the phrase “the key” leaped from its page as if it stood before me in big bold black text, floating in front of me. I could not ignore it if I wanted to. It is then that two things came to my mind. 
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​After reading that statement in my book, I was compelled to stop to meditate on what I had written to examine whether I have fully used these keys given to me. Am I making proper use of what has been given to me?

Initially, I wanted to say ‘NO’. Because I know I do not fully understand what has been given to me, yet how and when to use them. Or maybe, it’s simply the case that it was not the season for me to fully use them. But as I further investigate and mediate on my historical timeline. I realized. “My GOD!” I have been using these ‘keys’, but on a small scale and unknowingly.  

Over the past, I don’t know, 6 or 7 years, I have been using these Kingdom keys to unlock quite a few doors in helping individuals, people, and couples who were willing to be partners in enduring GOD’s processes to gain their freedom. I have been walking side by side with individuals and families for a long time in helping them to walk this life in Christ out. (Compare to Matthew 28:19-20). And as each individual reached a pivotal point in their lives that has led them to a doorway, where they must choose between that wide and spacious road that leads to destruction and the cramped and narrow way that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). I possess the master key to that doorway to open it for them.

Again, it was said to me back in 2014, “You are giving the keys to unlock the door and free many to a new way of living. So be bold, be courageous, and set my people free. Just tell them your story. Those who are righteous toward me will respond.”
 
For each door that I am allowed to open leads to a deeper way of living in Christ. Granting individuals, families, businesses, and ministries a new way of living in Christ. Enabling people to experience what it truly means to live as a new creature, a new creation in Christ, when you are led and guided by the right men and women of GOD who have the heart and Spirit of GOD upon them. And as one makes the needed sacrifice to walk with the sons and daughters of GOD that are leading them, slowly but surely, one will see doors of healing, prosperity, peace, love, happiness, and fulfillment start to enter into their life, home, business, and ministry.
 
But to obtain such keys to essential doorways, one must be connected or submitted to the right man or woman of GOD who possesses the appropriate keys to your specific needs, your freedom in Christ.

Let’s take a minute this morning to understand Simon the sorcerer’s sin as a new convert.

As we recall in our last blog discussion, Simon was a well-known and famous man in the Samarian community for his mastery of performance with magical arts and witchcraft phenomena. But he had a sudden change of heart when he observed Philip, an evangelist of the gospel, come into his community preaching and speaking the truth concerning Christ.
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As Philip taught, the Samarian people had an encounter with Christ. As a result, miracles occurred; “for unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed” (Acts 8:7). An explosion of joy took place all across the city because of the love of Christ displayed by His authorized evangelist, Philip, who was setting the captive free (Luke 4:18).
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​Simon was not having the kind of influence and success Philip had because Simon did not receive what Philip received from heaven. So, while Simon was holding the people captive by means of his witchcraft and divination. Philip was setting people free through the preaching of the gospel which resulted in an outburst of miracles by means of GOD’s Spirit – HIS power.
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Simon immediately noticed a dramatic difference between the type of gospel he was spilling upon the people to what Philip was sharing. What he observed led to his conversion and baptism. (Compare to Acts 8:12-13).

After his conversion, Simon begins to follow Philip in his ministry journey throughout Samaria. Resulting in him seeing firsthand, Peter and John’s display of GOD’s power being poured out on the people. As Simon observed the manifestation of GOD’s glory being poured out on the people through the apostles, John and Peter. Simon recognized that he lacked this kind of power.
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Now we are going to skip Peter’s initial response in verse 20. Instead, we are going to focus on Peter’s response to Simon at verses 21 and 22. It reads.
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1st We see as a new convert, Simon was denied access to receive the Promised, Holy Spirit. Here we can clearly see that NOT all newly converted individuals are granted access to the Spirit of the LORD at the time of their baptism. The Spirit of the LORD, Holy Ghost does not come and dwell in all baptized candidates as it is preached in most churches today. (A misconception many believers have. Many have been taught and believe that ALL Christians are endowed with HOLY SPIRIT. NOT TRUE and not in every case).

We also can see this is evident in the previous verses of Acts chapter 8. We read that Philip came to town and preached the gospel, to which, many men and women were amazed and got baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 8:12-13). But none of those who were baptized had received Holy Spirit. (Compare to Acts 8:14-17).

Again, Simon was denied this privilege. Peter said to him, “you have neither part nor portion in this matter….”

2nd Peter explained to Simon why he was not being granted the Spirit of the LORD to dwell in him. He said, “… for your heart is not right in the sight of GOD.” Through Peter, GOD revealed that Simon was full of bitter jealousy and was being held captive by sin. (Acts 8:21, 23).
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Now, this is the part that is going to be hard for many of you to receive and even apply to, and in your own lives. Despite this fact, Peter was teaching all of us a very important lesson through Simon's problematic conversion. 
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Most people, at the time of their baptism, may have mentally decided to convert to the faith of Christ and have taken steps to serve GOD. But most of us have not completely abandoned our ways. That is, lying, jealous mentality, bitterness, unforgiveness, gossiping, all sorts of sexual sins, disrespecting authority figures, etc. (See also Galatians 5:16-21; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 1 Corinthians 6:7-10).

It is obvious, that the Spirit of the LORD cannot come and live inside of us UNTIL we have reached a level of spiritual maturity where such things are not practiced or essential vice in our lives. [This will vary from person to person (see 1 Corinthians 6:11)].
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Here’s the point. Some of us, at the time of our conversion of faith, like Simon, our hearts are not right in the sight of GOD. Now GOD does not reject anyone, no matter what sin(s) we have committed or are doing (2 Peter 3:9). It is GOD’s desire that all of mankind is saved by HIS mercy and grace. But this still does not change the fact that some of us, especially newly converted individuals’ hearts are not right with GOD. Although they may declare that HOLY SPIRIT dwells with and in them. HE DOES NOT. Because just like Simon, something or things in their life is not right with GOD. As one Bible teacher put it to her former Bible student – “GOD (that is GOD’s Spirit) cannot live (or dwell) in mess.” That is an oxymoron. 
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The final thing Peter said to Simon is “repent!” Repent of his wick behavior as well as pray to GOD for HIS forgiveness.
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Often time, new converts fail to properly do this because they do not see anything wrong with what they are doing or how they are living. Simon did not see 
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​​Now, although we are talking about new converts here. But this does apply to seasoned saints, church leaders, and everyone in between as well. If we do not see the need to honestly examine ourselves, our hearts, the kind of spirits we are operating from, the kind of nature we are displaying and spilling or pouring out on others, in our community, and in the atmosphere, we will never receive the Promised, Holy Spirit. That is, the Spirit of the LORD, GOD’s power, that is promised to all and every Christian. 
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