The keys of death and hell were never the property of Satan. This flies in the face of the theory that Christ took the keys of death and Hades off Satan. Keys are all about authority and ownership.
Keys of Authority
In ancient times the status and authority of a person in the community was shown by a large key slung over the shoulder and worn in public. Eliakim was entrusted with the key of the house of David to wear on his shoulder, Isaiah 22:22.
When someone is given the ‘keys of the city’ it means the hierarchy of the city is honouring a person for their service to the common good. They have the freedom to enter or leave the city at will.
Satan‘s Authority
Satan, once called the star of the morning, Isaiah 14:12, was the anointed cherub who covers, until unrighteousness was found in him, Ezekiel 28:14,15. God cast him from heaven, Ezekiel 28:16 and he became the god of this world, 2 Corinthians 4:4, and the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2. The whole world lives in the power of the evil one, 1 John 5:19. However, Satan can only do what God permits, Job 2:6.
No where in the bible does it even hint at Satan being given the keys of death and Hades, for he is the father of lies, John 8:44. He weakens the nations, Isaiah 14:13, and tempts and coerces mankind to reject God, in the same way he did, Isaiah 14:14,15. Satan has no say in who has entry to the kingdom of God, or who will know eternal death.
Eternal Plan
Nothing surprises God, for He knows the end from the beginning, Isaiah 46:10. God knew exactly what Lucifer would do before He created him. Satan’s fall and subsequent activities are all part of God’s eternal plan, as is the justification, sanctification and glorification of all who accept Christ as their personal Saviour.
It is all about the revealing of God’s glory. It is only in the darkness of the night we truly appreciate the light. We need contrast to truly see.
God in Human Flesh
When Adam sinned all humanity was doomed to eternal death according to the justice of a holy God. Jesus was God cloaked in human flesh, but the Father gave the Son all authority in heaven and on earth, John 3:35, Matthew 28:18.
The Father sent His only begotten Son into the world, John 3:16. Yet Jesus said, I only do what I see the Father do, John 5:19.
The Son paid the ultimate sacrifice and took our rightful punishment on a cruel wooden cross, Colossians 2:14. He who has total authority willingly submitted Himself to the hands of mere man.
Keys and Ownership
Ownership means you have the right to something you have purchased. When you purchase a house or a car you are given the keys to them. You can do as you see fit with those possessions, within the law of the land.
When Adam sinned all humanity was doomed to eternal death according to the justice of a holy God, for all men are sinners, Romans 3:23. God redeemed us from the curse of the law, Galatians 3:13. The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ our Lord, Romans 6:23.
The Currency
The Son of God alone had the currency to redeem us and create the way for us to enter the kingdom of heaven. Christ’s blood could buy us back as God paid God, for God’s holy justice to be met. We cannot humanly comprehend what it cost to return fallen man to a relationship with God Almighty.
Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, Revelation 13:8. This was symbolized by the offering up of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament starting in Genesis 3:21. The Spirit raised Christ from the dead, Romans 8:11, then Christ took our humanity back to the courts of heaven.
The Supreme Judge
It is the Son who is the Judge of everyone, 2 Timothy 4:1. He alone decides who goes to Heaven and who goes to Hades to wait for His final judgement. Satan has the power to kill the human body, Job 2:6, but he has no say over the destiny of the soul.
Jesus alone is and always has been, the possessor of the keys of death and Hades, Revelation 1:18. He is also our key for us to be adopted into the family of God. No man comes to the Father except through the Son, John 14:6.
The Real Battle of Calvary
Calvary was not just about nailing the Son of God to a cross and His being poured out for us. The real battle took place in the spiritual realm. Jesus cried out ‘It is finished’, as He had total victory over evil, demonic forces and death. Satan did not have the power to kill the Son of God, who gave up His spirit, John 19:30
Christ descended into Hades and preached to the captives of His victory, 1 Peter 3:19. Even those waiting in Hades for their final judgement heard that Christ had completed the work of redemption for all believers.
Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public display of them, having triumphed over them, Colossians 2:15. He then led the believing captives into the courts of heaven, Psalm 68:18, emptying Abraham’s Bosom Luke 16:22. The Old Testament saints who had been waiting for the fulfilment of the Messianic prophecies, Luke 16: 19-26.
Keys and Authority
Keys are used to open things up or lock precious things away. Satan has never had that kind of authority. God gave man the authority to use his free will, so man chooses to either allow Satan to possess him, or to be counted as a prized and deeply loved possession of God, 1 Peter 2:9.
Jesus told Peter he would be given the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. And whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven, Matthew 16:19. All followers of Christ have the keys to the kingdom of heaven, Matthew 28:18,19.
A key to the bottomless pit is given to the fifth angel during the tribulation period, Revelation 9:1. An angel descends from heaven holding the key of the abyss and a great chain is used to bind Satan for a thousand years, Revelation 20:1.
Keys of Death and Hades
Satan has the power to harass humanity. However, he has no power to condemn a person to Hades, the place for those who have rejected God, while they wait for their day of judgement.
Hell was never designed for man, but as the eternal home of Satan and his demonic hordes. The ones Christ will condemn to hell are those who reject the great I Am That I Am, Exodus 3:15,
In saying Satan had the keys of death and Hades, is giving him authority and ownership he does not and never has had.
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