Going Up to a Mountain

Our premise (and experience) is that the Keys of the Kingdom (Mt 16:18-19) is ascending to Heaven’s courts and councils to “see” what is already bound and loosed so we can play our Kingdom role on earth (very practical). Let’s look at the context of Jesus’ promise (cf. Heiser, Chapter 32). Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi (Mt. 16:13) and asked His disciples this question, “Who do men say that I am.” The disciples, and anyone with a Jewish background, know that this location is near Mt. Hermon. They also know the history of this particular mountain. It was the spot where the original divine council met to decide to go after the daughters of men, and also where they fell. This thought isn’t found in the Bible, but it was common Jewish knowledge from other popular literature at the time. And they were, in all, two hundred and they came down on Ardis, which is the summit of Mount Hermon. And they called the mountain Hermon because on it they swore and bound one another with curses. Enoch 6:6 In Old Testament times Mt. Hermon was know for Baal worship. During the Greek and Roman period it was a center for worship of Greek fertility Gods and was known as the “Gates of Hell.” (see link). That’s the context for Jesus making this statement: Mat. 16:18-20 – I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. NASU Jesus redemption is the answer for us, but it’s also the answer for the fall of this divine council and the invitation for us (as sons of God) to repopulate that council and displace powers and principalities over the nations. All creation is waiting in eager expectation for these new sons of God to be revealed and liberate the world from bondage and decay into the glorious freedom of sons (cf. Rom. 8:18-24). Find blogs and videos here: http://releasingkings.com/category/blog-entries/