Or, the keys of the Reign of the Heavens, as some translations have it. What kind of binding and loosing was Jesus talking about? What did the word 'keys' depict or symbolise?
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There are many kinds of views regarding the meaning of Matthew 16:19, the keys of
the Kingdom of Heaven, and binding and loosing. Some preachers have claimed that
that verse supposedly gives them a right to decide for others what is right and
what is wrong. But, Jesus was not speaking about churches and preachers; he was
speaking to and regarding the apostle Peter (and, as other NT passages show, also
about the other apostles). It was they – those apostles, personally – who
were to receive "keys to the Kingdom", or, the keys of the Reign of the Heavens,
as some translations have it.
Many wonder, what does Matthew 16:19 mean? What kind of binding and loosing was Jesus talking about? What did the word 'keys' depict or symbolise? This essay contains bible study notes on Matthew 16 verse 19 with its context, and explains those things. The meaning of Jesus' teaching regarding those "keys" will be clarified, and there are comments and a general overview on the subject of "binding and loosing". There are also some notes regarding the immortal assembly which is mentioned in Matthew 16:18. There are many factors to consider in this matter; this treatise takes a closer look at them.
Here is the passage in question, as Young's Literal Translation has it:
Matthew 16:18 'And I also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against it; 19 and I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.' (YLT)
A note: Jesus used two different words, in the Greek text of Matthew 16:18 recorded as petros and petra. The YLT and many other translations render them both as "rock", but that leads to misunderstandings. The essay ea01d.htm has more on this. The essay ea05c.htm has more on Jesus as the Rock of foundation, as well as some related matters.
It is clear that Jesus was saying something important, but, what was he really talking about? What did that word keys refer to, and what kind of "binding and loosing" (and when, and where) was it all about?
Misleading translations have many that passage hard to understand. Also, churches and preachers have through their teachings further confused things, and they want people to believe that they supposedly are "successors" of the apostle Peter and that Matthew 16:19 supposedly refers to them (churches and/or preachers). Many preachers and other such figures have used that verse as "proof" for their claims about "primacy" (a supposed status as "God's highest representative here on Earth"). These things will be sorted out, below.
The essay eo01b.htm has more on the Kingdom of God, in general. The essay ea01d.htm has more on verse 18 in Matthew 16, but as verses 18 and 19 obviously are about the same matter, even this present essay takes a look at verse 18. However, when it comes to details in the Greek text of that verse (for instance the words petra and petros), please see the essay ea01d.htm.
The particular binding and loosing which is mentioned in Matthew 16 – was that for the time when Peter was still a man of flesh? And, what immortal assembly was Jesus talking about (verse 18)? Also, what about "the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven", or "the keys of the Reign of the Heavens", which are mentioned in that passage?
In verse 19, the Greek word didômi, "to give", is in the future tense dôsô. Point: Jesus did not say, "I do give"; he said, "I will give."
A note: At that time, Peter had not even received the Holy Spirit yet. And, a more careful consideration of this matter shows that whatever keys Jesus promised to give to Peter, they were not given to him during his earthly life. The same, of course, goes for the immortal assembly which is found mentioned in verse 18.
Matthew 16:18 'And I also say to thee, that thou art a rock, and upon this rock I will build my assembly, and gates of Hades shall not prevail against it; 19 and I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.' (YLT)
Regarding verse 18: Many bible-versions render both petros and petra as "rock". This has led to many misunderstandings. That matter, and who the petros was and who the petra was, is discussed in more detail in the essay ea01d.htm. The essay ea05c.htm has more on Jesus as the Rock of foundation, as well as a related matter.
Then there is the question, were such keys to be given to Simon Peter only? The Bible does not say that. Peter was promised "keys of the Kingdom", that is, power to rule and to judge, administering some part of God's Kingdom (in Matthew 16:18 called "the Reign of the Heavens") – but let us remember that what Jesus said on other occasions, shows that even the other apostles were to reign with Jesus, where he is seated, at his Father's throne in Heaven – as members of the immortal assembly that Jesus said he would form, the assembly which has the "keys" of the Reign of Heaven (that is, the management of God's Kingdom or Reign).
A note: Some seem to think that there are several, multiple "keys to the Kingdom" or "keys to Heaven", like some ways or methods through which one supposedly can enter Heaven. However, the phrase "keys of the Kingdom" ("keys of the Reign") refers to power (appointment) to administer and to judge. And, they were not literal "keys" as if to some door or gate; the mention of "keys" is symbolic. There is more on this, below.
Another note: Certain churches and preachers have spread poisonous anti-Heaven teachings and cause people to turn their backs on Heaven (God's holy Dwelling and Headquarters) and to reject it and even to ridicule it, as if it was not a good place and as if the saints were not to go there. The Bible has only good things to say about Heaven, and it clearly and repeatedly states that the saints were to go there. The essays eb04c.htm, eb05b.htm and ex11b.htm have more on what the Bible says about the saints and Heaven.
The Greek noun for "keys" in that verse was kleis, related to the verb kleiô which meant such things as "to shut", "to close". Here is an excerpt from the Online Bible's Greek-English lexicon's entry on the noun kleis:
1) a key
1a) since the keeper of the keys has the power to open and to shut
1b) metaph. in the NT to denote power and authority of various kinds
In other words: Jesus was not saying that Peter (or other disciples) would act as some "porter at the door to Heaven" or as "a gate keeper at Heaven's gate". No, Jesus was speaking figuratively, and used the word "keys" in a symbolic way. In the past, if a servant was said to have "the keys of the house", that could mean that he was entrusted with the daily affairs of that house. Such a servant was given "the rule over the house" ("rule" = management of specified practical household matters). It is clear that Jesus used the expression "keys" in a similar manner, on the occasion that is recorded in Matthew 16. Those disciples (not only Peter but the others also) were to assist Jesus, in managing some matters in God's Reign, and in judging. "Keys of the kingdom" is an old expression which refers to rulership. But, of course, those disciples were not to "take over" God's Reign. God is the Ruler, together with his son Jesus.
Those disciples were to be given the management of some specified matters in God's Reign, as God's servants. (Not during their earthly, mortal lives, but later when they had become immortals.) Certain bible passages show that they would even rule (basileuô) "over the Earth" (epi tês gês; Revelation 5:10). But, were they to rule over the Earth only? The Bible does not give us the details. The parable in Matthew 25 talks about being set (katastêsô, kathistêmi) over "many things" (epi pollôn). Also, Matthew 19:28 records that the apostles were promised that they would rule with Jesus. It is worth noting where it is that Jesus rules: At the Headquarters of God's Reign, where God's throne is, in Heaven.
The 1769 KJ version has in Matthew 16:18 this wording: "... thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". The essay ea01d.htm has more on that verse and its Greek text; right here it is enough to note that the Greek word which many translations in Matthew 16:18 misleadingly render as "church", was ekklêsia.
In the cities of ancient Greece, the ekklêsia was an assembly of the people, with the power of final decision in public affairs – an assembly of the citizens regularly summoned, the legislative assembly.
In short: The ekklêsia that Jesus said he would form (Matthew 16:18) and which was to have the "keys of the Reign of the Heavens" (verse 19), was not a "church" but a legislative assembly with immortal members – an assembly which would have the keys – that is, the rulership or management – of the Reign of the Heavens, that is, God's Kingdom, verse 19. (Here, it is important to understand that God's Kingdom (Reign) is based in Heaven, and that it rules this universe. There is more on this below, and in the essay eo01b.htm.)
When Jesus said that the "gates of hell" would not have power against the ekklêsia (assembly) which he would form, that did not mean that those disciples would not die. In fact, it seems that many of them were murdered just as Jesus was. The immortality was in the next life, in the heavenly sphere. That is where Jesus would form his immortal assembly. In other words: Verse 18 is not about some "church", and verse 19 is not that either. Once again: It is obvious that Jesus was talking about an assembly with immortal members who would have the "keys" over God's Kingdom – would manage it or take care of it.
The essay eg06b.htm explains the origin and actual meaning of the English word "church" which has caused so many misunderstandings, in Matthew 16 and in many of other passages. The essay ea03d.htm has more on the "church eras" dogma which some churches connect to Matthew 16. The essays eb04c.htm, eb05b.htm and ex11b.htm study what the Bible says about the saints and Heaven.
(A note: The word "immortal" means "not dying" – under certain prerequisites not ageing but ever-living. But, the matter of immortality and everlasting life is something for a separate study.)
There is much confusion regarding what the Kingdom of God (or the Kingdom of Heaven) really is. Many churches have caused people to think that it supposedly is, either "something in men's heart", or some "church government", or something that supposedly does not exist yet but is only to come into existence at some later time. The facts, of course, are different.
In verse 19 in chapter 16 of the book of Matthew, the Greek word which many English translations render as "kingdom" was basileia which meant "rule", "rulership", "right to rule". Here is the first part of the Online Bible's Greek-English lexicon's entry on the noun basileia:
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority
to rule over a kingdom
[...]
There was also the secondary meaning "kingdom", but here the point is that the word basileia first and foremost referred to rule and reigning and a right to rule.
The Reign or Kingdom of God, also called the Reign or Kingdom of the Heavens, exists and has existed for a longer time than we mortals can even understand. It is an awesome Reign which, we have all reason to believe, runs and rules this universe. It is important to understand that God's Reign is based in Heaven, and has its Headquarters there. It is not found or located here on Earth. As things are now, this world is still in the hands of spirit rebels and, because of that, is not yet a part of God's Reign or Kingdom. It is only when Jesus comes again and captures those rebels, that this world can become a part of God's great Kingdom.
Again: Jesus promised his disciples a part in the rulership of God's Reign. He promised them that they would reign together with him, in the ruler's seat which he in Heaven shares with his Father. Obviously, that is the immortal, ruling assembly which Jesus said he would form (Matthew 16:18-19).
The essay eo01b.htm has more on the Reign of Heaven, the Reign of God, which some call "the kingdom of Heaven" or "the kingdom of God". The essay eo10d.htm has more on Matthew 6:31-33 and Luke 12:31-32 and the phrase "seek you first the Kingdom of God" and what those words really meant. And again, the essays eb04c.htm, ex11b.htm and eb05b.htm have more on what the Bible says about the saints and Heaven.
Some bible-versions render that phrase as "the kingdom of heaven", but it is best to consider this matter more closely, without rushing into premature conclusions. We find the same words, hê basileia tôn ouranôn, for instance here:
Matthew 3:1 And in those days cometh John the Baptist, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, 'Reform, for come nigh hath the reign of the heavens' (YLT)
What was John the Baptist saying? Did he mean that some "church" was approaching? No, of course not. Nor does any "church" fit in Matthew 16, either. It is very clear that when Jesus and John mentioned tês basileias tôn ouranôn (the Reign of the Heavens), they were talking about something else.
Matthew 16:19 and I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.' (YLT)
Those keys had to do with "the Reign of the Heavens". Again, the Reign of the Heavens (God's Kingdom, Rule or Reign) is based in Heaven, and obviously, it rules this universe and the heavenly realm, and who knows what more. But again, this tiny planet is not at this time a part of God's Reign, because it is still in the hands of rebel spirits and their fleshly cronies.
For more on the Greek text of Matthew 16:19, see the footnote towards the end of this essay.
It was the "keys" of that Reign, a reign based in Heaven, that Peter was promised. (Well, perhaps, "keys" to a part of that Reign.) And then, other New Testament passages show that even other saints were promised that:
Luke 12:31 but, seek ye the reign of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32 'Fear not, little flock, because your Father did delight to give you the reign; 33 sell your goods, and give alms, make to yourselves bags that become not old, a treasure unfailing in the heavens, where thief doth not come near, nor moth destroy (YLT, highlighting added)
Revelation 3:21 He who is overcoming—I will give to him to sit with me in my throne, as I also did overcome and did sit down with my Father in His throne. (YLT)
Further (may those who have eyes to see, use them here):
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory about to be revealed in us; 19 for the earnest looking out of the creation doth expect the revelation of the sons of God; 20 for to vanity was the creation made subject—not of its will, but because of Him who did subject it—in hope, 21 that also the creation itself shall be set free from the servitude of the corruption to the liberty of the glory of the children of God (YLT, highlighting added)
What does the Bible say about binding and loosing? The following contains a general overview and comments on the matter of "binding and loosing".
The binding and loosing of Matthew 16:19 was connected to the immortal, ruling assembly which Jesus had just mentioned (Matthew 16:18). Again, the essay ea01d.htm has more on that assembly and verse.
First Jesus said that he was forming an immortal ekklêsia, assembly. That assembly was not a "church", nor was it an earthly assembly but a heavenly one that was to consist of immortals. Then Jesus said that Peter was to receive "the keys of the Reign of Heaven", or "the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven" as some would say.
And then, other passages show that it was not only Peter who would receive that, but also other disciples. Consider even this: Even though Jesus on that occasion was speaking to Peter, that did not mean that the immortal assembly which Jesus said he would form (Matthew 16:18) would consist of Peter only. No, that heavenly ekklêsia was to consist of many individuals. Even other disciples were to belong to it.
Again, "keys of the kingdom" is an old expression which refers to rulership or management of a country or something similar. The meaning was that the disciples, including Peter, were to share the rulership of God's Reign with Jesus, who shared it with his Father. They would sit together with Jesus, in (at) his Father's ruler's seat. Luke 12:32 and Revelation 3:21, quoted above, show that that is what Jesus promised them.
(There is also Matthew 19:28 but that passage seems to refer to something else. There, the apostles were to sit, not in the Father's seat but each on their own seats – as judges – at "the regeneration". That may be a reference to the future time when the dead, including Israelites, will be raised to judgment. The essay et07e.htm has more on that subject.)
Many preachers and "religious leaders" have claimed Matthew 16:19 to mean that Peter was given "primacy", and that Peter supposedly was to order the other disciples around (here on Earth). Further, many of those preachers and "leaders" have claimed that they supposedly have "inherited Peter's seat", and that they through that now have "primacy". But, let us see what Jesus taught his disciples about "primacies", "ranks", and so on.
Matthew 23 contains Jesus' teaching on that matter, in a nutshell. It records how Jesus made it clear that his disciples were brothers (equal) and that there were no "ranks" among them:
Matthew 23:8 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. (NASB-77)
In short: All the talk about "primacy" is plain nonsense. Yes, it is an old Catholic dogma, but it is plain nonsense. (The essay ee01c.htm has more on the "ranks" matter.) A note: Some twist even Matthew 23:8-10 and similar passages, into talk about "servant leadership". That dogma was invented around 1970. The essay ee03c.htm has more on that subject.
Back to the matter of "binding and loosing".
Please carefully read and consider the following passage, here quoted from Young's Literal Translation. View it, remembering that Peter and other saints were to reign, together with Jesus.
Matthew 16:19 and I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.' (YLT)
Or, adding a few commas, for clarity:
Matthew 16:19 and I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth, shall be, having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth, shall be, having been loosed in the heavens.' (YLT, with four added commas)
Another translation:
Matthew 16:19 and I will give to you the keys of the Reign of the Heavens, and whatever you may bind on Earth, shall be [bound], having been bound in the Heavens, and whatever you may loose on Earth, shall be [loosed], having been loosed in the Heavens. (Author's tr.)
Obviously, Jesus meant that Peter (and other saints) would "bind and loose" in that way, when they became immortals and thus members of the immortal, heavenly assembly that Jesus said he would form. It was only then (and there, in Heaven) that they were to bind and loose in that way. Jesus promised them that they would share the ruler's seat with him, just as he shared it with his Father.
Those disciples did not "bind and loose" or "reign" in that way, during their earthly lives. They were equal among themselves, and they certainly did not "rule" over others either. (Instead, they were persecuted, and many of them were killed.) In short: The rulership – including that "binding and loosing" – which Matthew 16:19 refers to, was not an earthly one.
Also: As was explained above, that verse and the preceding one have nothing to do with churches. The essay ea01d.htm shows what Matthew 16:18 really refers to. Further: Peter and the apostles have no "successors", and Jesus has no "proxies" or "vicars" here on Earth. (The Latin noun vicarius meant "substitute", "deputy", "proxy", "vicegerent".)
A note: Even Matthew 18:18 mentions "binding and loosing" which the disciples (saints) could do, but that was something different and had to do with marking and avoiding those who caused offence. The essay ea10c.htm has more on the subject of marking and avoiding ("excommunication"). The essay es06d.htm has more on "spiritual authority" and "biblical authority".
It is always good to check the wider context. Matthew 16 contains even a warning regarding the Pharisees and the Sadducees:
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said to them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. (AKJV)
Many preachers have twisted those things also, and have claimed that Jesus supposedly upheld the Pharisees as some kind of a "religious authority". He did not. Instead, he repeatedly warned people about them and their teachings and doings. But, certain passages in the book of Matthew have been translated in misleading ways and give a wrong picture of the matter. The essay eo12c.htm has more on Matthew 16, Matthew 23 and the Pharisees. The essay eo13b.htm has more on the Sadducees.
What Jesus promised to give to Peter or to the other saints was not a porter-position at some "door". Nor were they to act as "rulers", "judges" or "oracles" during their earthly lives, deciding for others what was "truth" and what was not. The point is that Jesus promised them a partnership in the Reign of the Heavens, together with Jesus who in his turn shares that Reign with his Father.
That is the Reign which it was the "Father's good pleasure" to give to Jesus' disciples. He said to them:
Luke 12:32 'Fear not, little flock, because your Father did delight to give you the reign (YLT)
A note: It is important to realise that even though many of the things Jesus said to his disciples can have an application also in our day, one must not hasten to think that all that was promised or said to those disciples, would apply to believers today. When Jesus said "you", he was addressing people of that day, not people of our day. Likewise, when the New Testament writers used such words as "us", "we", "our", "you" and "your", those words referred to people of the apostles' day, not to people of our day. The essay eg02c.htm has more on this. But again, of course there are many things to learn in what those men said, wrote and did. The point here is that the promises of Matthew 16 and Luke 12 were given to the disciples, people of those days, and not to people of our day.
A footnote.
Here is the Byzantine Greek text of Matthew 16:19, first in Greek, and then transcribed into the English alphabet and with word translations:
και δωσω σοι τασ κλεις της βασιλειας των ουρανων και ο εαν δησης επι της γης εσται δεδεμενον εν τοις ουρανοις και ο εαν λυσης επι της γης εσται λελυμενον εν τοις ουρανοις
kai dôsô soi [and I will give to you] tas kleis tês basileias tôn ouranôn [the keys of the Reign of the Heavens], kai ho ean dêsês [and whatever you (may) bind] epi tês gês [on the Earth] estai [shall be (bound)], dedemenon en tois ouranois [having been bound in the Heavens], kai ho ean lusês [and whatever you (may) loose] epi tês gês [on the Earth], estai [shall be (loosed)], lelumenon [having been loosed] en tois ouranois [in the Heavens]
A note: The words dedemenon and lelumenon are in the perfect participle which gives the translations "having been bound" and "having been loosed".
Some have claimed that the Greek wording of verse 19 supposedly refers to "a Jewish concept of 'prohibiting' and 'allowing'". But, let us note that the Jewish "prohibiting" and "allowing" was done by their "rabbis", and let us also note that Jesus made it clear that his disciples were equal and were not to have any "rabbis":
Matthew 23:8 "But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. 9 "And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10 "And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. (NASB-77)
More, regarding Matthew 16:19: As is explained in the first part of this essay, Jesus was not talking about "churches". He was talking about an assembly consisting of immortals, a heavenly assembly which was to "bind and loose" regarding matters within God's great Reign. Matthew 16 has nothing to do with some "rabbi"-type "prohibiting" and "permitting". That particular binding and loosing was not something the disciples did during their earthly lives. They were to receive and have that particular kind of power (authority) to bind and loose, when they became immortals, in the heavenly sphere. Not earlier. (Again, the essay eb04c.htm has more on what the Bible has to say about the saints and Heaven. The essay ea01d.htm has more on the immortal assembly mentioned in Matthew 16:18.)
Regarding the phrase epi tês gês (επι της γης) in Matthew 16:19: That does not have to have any bearing on where those who do that binding and loosing, live or have their quarters. The simple meaning may have been that the disciples would bind and loose regarding the matters of this world – being seated with Jesus at God's throne in Heaven.
In other words: It was not "the keys of the Reign of the Earth". It was "the keys of the Reign of the Heavens". That is an awesome Reign. When Jesus comes again, even this planet will become a part of that Reign. And yes, it may be that the disciples will help Jesus, as judges, when the time of Judgment for this world begins. But again, Jesus was not talking about "the keys of the Earth" but about the keys of the Reign of the Heavens. Obviously, that Reign is much greater than we humans can even understand.
The essay et07e.htm has more on the coming Judgment, and its timing. The essay eo01b.htm has more on the Reign of the Heavens (the Reign of God, "kingdom of God"). The essay eo10d.htm has more on Matthew 6:31-33 and Luke 12:31-32 and the phrase "seek you first the Kingdom of God" and what those words really meant. The essay ea01d.htm has more on Matthew 16:18.
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If this page did not contain what you were looking for, see the links below, and the key-word index and the table of contents, or use the search function.
Additional reading at the Bible Pages, on related as well as other issues:
A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
What is the Kingdom of God? Where is it located? Does it exist already, or is it only going to be established in the future? Or, is it only something "in the hearts of men" as some have claimed, quoting the translation "within you" in Luke 17:21? → eo01b.htm
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you". What did Jesus mean? How were the disciples to go about "seeking the Kingdom"? Also, what did the expression "all these things" really refer to, and when and where were those things to be "added" to those disciples? → eo10d.htm
What does the word "righteous" really mean? What does the Bible say about righteousness? → eg08b.htm
Is Jesus "a cap-stone on top of a pyramid" as some have claimed, or is he, as the Bible says, the main corner-stone of the foundation of God's spiritual house or dwelling? → ea05c.htm
Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". What was Jesus talking about? What is the immortal assembly or ekklêsia which he said he would form, and where is it located? Is it an earthly religious organisation in this world – a church – or is it a heavenly assembly that has as its members the saints who have become immortals? → ea01d.htm
The origin and meaning of the word "church". → eg06b.htm
The meaning of the words Christ, Christian, Messiah and Messias. Also: Did the saints call themselves "Christians" – christianos or christianoi? → eg07b.htm
The concepts "saint" and "sainthood" analysed. Does the Bible define or clarify who is a saint and what sainthood consists of? Also: Are there saints here on Earth, in our day? What do the Scriptures say concerning these things? Further: What is the etymology of the word "saint", and what does it really mean? → eg03c.htm
Jesus warned his disciples about false prophets, teachers of falsehood, deceivers and deception. He said that many would be deceived. → eo09e.htm
Church eras – do they exist? Are there seven "eras of the Church", as some have claimed – "Sardis era", "Philadelphian era", "Laodicean era" and so on? Is there any biblical basis for that dogma? The question in a nutshell: The seven assemblies mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3 – were they contemporary assemblies of saints in the days of John (as the book of Revelation describes them), or are they, as some have claimed, successive "eras of the Church of God" that exist in later times and continue to our day? → ea03d.htm
What does the Bible say about Heaven? What does it look like? Were the saints to go there, and if so, for how long? What about others? → eb04c.htm
A clarification of the actual nature of the sabbatismos or Rest of Hebrews 4:9. → ex11b.htm
The Promises spoken to Abraham, and the saints' heavenly Rest and Inheritance. How the earthly Land of Israel symbolised and foreshadowed a Promised Land in Heaven. Also, how the words Promise, Inheritance, Rest and Land in certain bible passages point to the same thing. → eb05b.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
The Great White Throne Judgment, a time when both living and dead will be judged. When will it take place, where, and who will judge? Also, there is more to take into consideration, because the Bible talks about more than one still future times of judgment. → et07e.htm
What does the Bible say about elders? What was their role in the saints' fellowships? Also, was there a "hierarchy" with "ranks"? → ee01c.htm
Is "servant leadership" a biblical concept? Did elders in the saints' fellowships act as "servant leaders"? What the Bible says about leadership among Jesus' disciples. → ee03c.htm
Essays regarding various matters in connection with religious fellowships. → keyw-a4.htm (Look under the heading "Assembly".)
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
What the Bible says about excommunication, marking and avoiding. Additionally, some notes on the words and concepts "heresy" and "heretic". → ea10c.htm
What does the Bible say about authority? Who has biblical, spiritual or religious authority on the mundane, human level? Who can speak for God? Knowing the answers to those questions is a vital key to understanding the Bible in a better and deeper way. → es06d.htm
What does the Bible say about the Pharisees? Also, why did Jesus call them vipers, snakes and actors? → eo12c.htm
Who were the Sadducees, and what were their teachings? Also: Who were the Herodians and the Boethusians? → eo13b.htm
Power among Jesus' disciples. What powers were given to the apostles, and to the saints in general? Also: Did the apostle Peter receive some special powers? → ea09b.htm
Should believers vote? About things within their fellowships, or in political elections in the society around them? Does the Bible say anything about voting? → ea13b.htm
Info on the goal and purpose of this site, and a contact address.
→
purpose.htm
Table of contents for this site, including a synopsis or a short, summary description
of each essay or article. →
filename.htm
Search for specific words, phrases or bible passages at this site. →
search.htm
An alphabetical bible topic keyword index of the essays and articles at this site:
1-9
– A
– B
– C
– D
– E
– F
– G
– H
– I
– J
– K
– L
– M
– N
– O
– P
– Q
– R
– S
– T
– U
– V
– W
– X
– Y – Z –
Detailed index overview
If you find any of the essays or treatises at this site interesting and helpful, please provide a copy to other people as well. But before printing or distributing anything, make sure to get the very latest version, exactly as it is, directly from this web site. In regard to printable copies of these pages, for example as PDF-format papers, booklets or brochures or so – there are no specially printer friendly variants (except some bible puzzles), nor is there a need for that – simply, when you print an essay, set the margins and the text size to fit your needs and the paper you use, in the program you use for viewing these pages, and then send it to your printer. (This varies in different browsers and word processing programs. In web browsers, for setting the margin size and headers and footers, look for "Print Format" in the File menu; to set the text size for print-out, look under "Preview" or "View" in the same menu.)
Important: You are welcome to quote the documents at this site – the Bible Pages – provided that you mention the source, by giving the full web address to the page in question. Please link to these essays and give copies to friends. However, you may not re-publish any part of the contents of this site, as a booklet, brochure or on the Internet or in other ways, without a permission from the author; he retains the copyright. For more on copying and quoting, and a few words about the author and his religious education and credentials, see the page purpose.htm.
The essays at this site are not in "bible lesson" or "bible study course" format, nor are they meant as on-line "bible study classes" of some kind. Even though this site gives ready answers to biblical questions of many kinds, its main goal is providing food for thought on a variety of biblical subjects, and challenging and encouraging people to get started with deep personal bible study and then continue with that. (Many religious organisations and denominations have their bible lessons and correspondence courses; they are ready-made "studies" which are shrewdly constructed and written in such a manner that they lead the reader to conclusions that fit the dogmas of the group in question.) A careful, closer study of the books of the Bible with proper tools will help a believer to gain better and deeper biblical understanding. In that way, one will find out more about what the Bible really says, means and teaches. One can then, with wisdom, use that knowledge as a guide for one's life, instead of accepting as "biblical truths" whatever commercial religion – churches and their ministers (preachers) – have taught and want people to believe.
A more thorough, bible-based study with care and with thought will, not only help one to learn more, but also show one how many a popular belief has no scriptural basis or support but is altogether false and not biblical at all. This applies, not only to prophecy and "end time" related things, but also to many other subjects where prevailing dogmas are often taken "for granted". For this reason, it is extremely important for believers to personally study the Writings, and to thoroughly analyse them down to the smaller details, in order to find out the real facts. For doing that, it is not necessary to know the Hebrew, Greek or Latin languages (even though learning their letters and alphabet can be a good idea); there are modern, advanced tools which can help one to study in an effective way – see the pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm for more on this. The essay eg02c.htm supplies a number of easy, elementary keys to acquiring a better and deeper understanding of the Bible, simply by consciously and methodically avoiding certain usual errors and pitfalls.
This site is non-denominational and non-sectarian. It is not connected to any church, sect or religious organisation or movement. This site looks at things from a biblical perspective, and not from a dogmatic one. It does not claim to be without error or to "know it all" or to have a perfect or complete explanation to all things – it consists of an ongoing bible study that has been made public, and as the study goes on, the contents of these pages are revised and also expanded, with new topics and themes being addressed. Readers are invited and welcome to write to the author with thoughts and comments, or to ask questions or to point out a mistake if they feel that they have found one. For more on this, see the page purpose.htm.
The address to this page is www.biblepages.web.surftown.se/eb08c.htm
Please send or mention the address to this site to others, and link to these pages.
This page was created or modified 2010-02-02.