THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN - Satan never had authority over who could enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus always had that authority. Jesus did not fight Satan for the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

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The Keys To The Kingdom Of Heaven

Did Jesus and Satan fight over the keys to the kingdom? What are the keys to the kingdom?

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In Matthew 16, Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was.

Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you 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 be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 16:16-19)

There are several confusing parts to this passage, including who or what is the rock, what is the kingdom of heaven, and what is binding and loosing. Not least of these is "What are the keys to the kingdom?"

First a short word on what is the kingdom of heaven. 
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It is synonymous with the kingdom of God and refers to every moment, on heaven or earth, where God's power, sovereignty, and authority are evident.

Obviously this would include heaven where God dwells, and the new heavens and the new earth where we will spend eternity with Him. 
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But it also means moments on earth where a truly godly act is experienced.

A "key" to the kingdom of heaven, then, would be a tool used to experience God's sovereignty. When used in this particular context, however, it refers to the authority to send people to heaven or hell.

There is a popular story that says that in between Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, He went down to hell and wrestled the keys to the kingdom from Satan. It implies that Satan held the power of death and the power to condemn men, and only after Jesus' death could He take that power. 
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The story is based on a sequence of a few verses:

In 1 Peter 3:18-19, Peter says, "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison …"

Psalm 16:10 in the King James Version says, "For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."

In Revelation 1:17b-18, Jesus tells John, "Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades."

The prophecy in Revelation 9:1-3 says, "And the fifth angel blew his trumpet, and I saw a star fallen from heaven to earth, and he was given the key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. He opened the shaft of the bottomless pit, and from the shaft rose smoke like the smoke of a great furnace, and the sun and the air were darkened with the smoke from the shaft. Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth."

The passage goes on to say the locusts tormented unbelievers for five months, but left the plants and the Christians unharmed.

Preachers have used these passages to say that Jesus went down to hell and wrestled with Satan, taking the authority to send people to heaven. 
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There are several things wrong with this theory.

First of all, Satan is not in hell and never has been. Hell does not exist yet. 
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Revelation 20:11-15 explains that hell is the permanent place of torment for demons and those humans who reject God.

But it will not be used until after the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:7-10) and the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:15).

Until then, the dead are kept in a temporary place, often referred to as Hades. 
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Believers go to a part of Hades known as paradise (Luke 23:43) and Abraham's bosom (Luke 16:22), while unbelievers go to a place of torment (Luke 16:23).

The word interpreted "hell" in the King James Version in Psalm 116:10 is actually "Sheol," which is another term for Hades - the temporary dwelling place of the dead.

The 1 Peter passage says that Jesus visited the spirits in prison between His death and resurrection.

"Spirits" is a term used of angels, demons, the spirit of Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

The only spirits on this list who could have been imprisoned at this time were the demons mentioned in Jude 6: "And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day…"

The Bible is unclear as to who these demons are exactly, but since their actions are compared to the sexual sin of Sodom and Gomorrah in Jude verse 7, it is speculated that these are the "sons of God" of Genesis 6:2 - demons who came to earth and mated with human women, perhaps resulting in the Nephilim.

Language issues and ancient speculation have added to the confusion. 
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An old story about Jesus descending into hell appeared in the apocryphal Gospel of Nicodemus from AD 425, and was passed around so much it was added to the Apostles' Creed.

Although both the Greek and Latin versions of the Apostles' Creed say Jesus went to "those below" or the "abode of the dead," the modern version includes the line "he descended into hell."

It is likely the Old English "hell" refers to Hades, not the eternal lake of fire. But since the use of terms such as Sheol and Hades had fallen out of style, the word "hell" was taken literally.

Much of this is speculation on the part of Bible scholars, but we do know this: between Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, Satan was not in prison. And there is nothing in the Bible to indicate Jesus interacted with him at that time.

The passages in Revelation 1 and 9 seem related, but they're not.

In Revelation 1, Jesus is saying that He has authority over death and the temporary holding place of the dead. He has authority over where people in that place go—to eternity with God or to hell forever. 

Revelation 9 says that Satan (the "star fallen from heaven to earth") is given permission to release awful scorpion/locusts to torment unbelievers during the Tribulation.

The "bottomless pit" is not Hades; it is not where dead humans go. It is possible it refers to the prison of the spirits referenced in 1 Peter, and the locusts might be the demons held there, but it has nothing to do with the eternal fate of humans.

This key and the authority affiliated with it are retrieved by an angel - not Jesus - in Revelation 20:1, who then binds Satan and throws him into the pit until the end of the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1-3).

Finally, the entire concept of Jesus having to fight Satan for the key and the authority to atone for our sins defies logic and gives far more importance to Satan than he warrants.

When it comes to fallen man, Jesus' sacrifice, and our sin, Satan is a secondary character only. He does not have control over the eternal destiny of humans. He does not have control over hell - hell was created by God to hold and punish Satan and the other demons (Matthew 25:41).

Satan influences people to rebel against God because he wants the attention and because he wants to defy God. But he has no spiritual authority over men except what men give him directly.

So Satan never had authority over who could enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus, whose sacrifice covered the sins of those in the Old Testament as well as we who live after His resurrection, always had that authority. The only keys Satan will hold are to the bottomless pit - the abyss - and only because he will be granted them for a specific time period.

It is unclear where the story of Jesus, Satan, and the keys to the kingdom of heaven originated. It was mentioned in an apostolic magazine in 1980 and has spread around the Word of Faith Movement ever since.

Wherever it originated, it is a misinterpretation of Scripture passages. Jesus did not fight Satan for the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

In this spiritual war, there are no fence-sitters – you are either on the Lords’ victorious army or on the wicked “Powers” of Satan.

Ensure you’re enlistment on the victorious army of the Lord.  Settle that sin issue right now by saying this prayer:

“Father God, I confess I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. 

I am truly sorry. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and live a new life pleasing to You.

Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again.

I believe that Your Son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.

I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward.

Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. Thank you, Lord, that according to Your Word, I am born again. I promise to obey You and study your Word – the Bible.

Use me for Your glory.

In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.”

https://www.compellingtruth.org/keys-to-the-kingdom.html

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THE ANGEL OF DEATH - Many people from all walks of life who have had near-death experiences have reported that they’ve encountered angels who helped them, and people who have witnessed loved ones die have also reported encountering angels who brought peace to those leaving life. Sometimes dying people’s last words describe the visions they’re experiencing. The Bible doesn’t name one specific angel as the Angel of Death.

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Angel Of Death

The Angel of Death

A Religious Perspective

By Whitney Hopler

Throughout recorded history, people from various religious perspectives have spoken of a figure or figures who comfort people when they’re dying and escort their souls into an afterlife, a rough equivalent of the Jewish and Christian notion of the “Angel of Death.”

Many people from all walks of life who have had near-death experiences have reported that they’ve encountered angels who helped them, and people who have witnessed loved ones die have also reported encountering angels who brought peace to those leaving life.

Sometimes dying people’s last words describe the visions they’re experiencing. For example, just before famous inventor Thomas Edison died in 1931, he remarked, "It is very beautiful over there."

Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Perspectives

The Angel of Death’s personification as an evil creature wearing a black hood and carrying a scythe (the Grim Reaper of popular culture) originated from the Jewish Talmud’s  descriptions of an Angel of Death (Mal'akh ha-Mavet) that represents the demons associated with the fall of mankind (one consequence of which was death).

However, the Midrash explains that God does not allow the Angel of Death to bring evil to righteous people.

Also, all people are bound to encounter the Angel of Death when it’s their appointed time to die, says the Targum (the Aramaic translation of the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible), which translates Psalm 89:48 as, "There is no man who lives and, seeing the angel of death, can deliver his soul from his hand."

In Christian tradition, the Archangel Michael supervises all of the angels who work with dying people.

Michael appears to each person just prior to the moment of death to give the person a last chance to consider the spiritual state of his or her soul. Those who aren't yet saved but change their minds at the last moment can be redeemed.

By telling Michael with faith that they say "yes" to God's offer of salvation, they can go to heaven rather than hell when they die.

The Bible doesn’t name one specific angel as the Angel of Death.

But the New Testament does say that angels are "all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation" (Hebrews 1:14).

The Bible makes it clear that death is a holy event "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints," Psalm 116:15.

So in the Christian view it’s reasonable to expect that one or more angels will be present with people when they die.

Traditionally, Christians believe that all angels who help people make the transition into the afterlife are working under Archangel Michael's supervision.

The Quran also mentions an Angel of Death: "The Angel of Death who is charged with taking your souls will take your souls; then you will be returned to your Lord" (As-Sajdah 32:11).

That angel, Azrael, separates people's souls from their bodies when they die.

The Muslim Hadith tells a story that illustrates how reluctant people can be to see the Angel of Death when he comes for them: "The Angel of Death was sent to Moses and when he went to him, Moses slapped him severely, spoiling one of his eyes. The angel went back to his Lord, and said, 'You sent me to a slave who does not want to die'" (Hadith 423, Sahih Bukhari chapter 23).

Angels Who Comfort the Dying

Accounts of angels comforting dying people abound from those who have watched loved ones die.

When their loved ones are about to pass away, some people report seeing angels, hearing heavenly music, or even smelling strong and pleasant scents while sensing angels around them.

Those who care for the dying, such as hospice nurses, say that some of their patients report deathbed encounters with angels.

Caregivers, family members, and friends also report witnessing dying loved ones talking about or reaching out to angels.

For instance, in his book "Angels: God’s Secret Agents," Christian evangelist Billy Graham writes that, immediately before his maternal grandmother died, "The room seemed to fill with a heavenly light. She sat up in bed and almost laughingly said, 'I see Jesus. He has his arms outstretched toward me. I see Ben [her husband who had died some years earlier] and I see the angels.'"

Angels Who Escort Souls to the Afterlife

When people die, angels may accompany their souls into another dimension, where they'll live on.

It may be just one angel who escorts a particular soul, or it may be a large group of angels who make the journey alongside a person’s soul.

Muslim tradition says that the angel Azrael separates the soul from the body at the moment of death, and Azrael and other helping angels accompany the soul to the afterlife.

Jewish tradition says that many different angels (including Gabriel, Samael, Sariel, and Jeremiel) may help dying people make the transition from life on Earth to the afterlife, or to their next life (Judaism has many varied understandings of what happens after death, including reincarnation).

Jesus told a story that appears in Luke 16 about two men who died: a rich man who didn’t trust God, and a poor man who did.

The rich man went to hell, but the poor man got the honor of angels carrying him into an eternity of joy (Luke 16:22).

The Catholic Church teaches that the archangel Michael escorts the souls of those who have died to the afterlife, where God judges their earthly lives.

Whitney Hopler

Professional writer and editor since 1994, in print and online

Communications director for the Center for Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason University

Experience

Whitney Hopler is a former writer for ThoughtCo. She has served as the religion editor for a secular newspaper chain in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, as well as an editor at Crosswalk.com and The Salvation Army’s national magazines. Hopler has written for a variety of national publications. She is the communications director for the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being at George Mason University.

Education

Hopler graduated with honors from George Mason University, where she studied comparative religion. She has a certification as a professional technical communicator from the Society for Technical Communications.

Publications

"Dream Factory," a novel with spiritual themes

ThoughtCo and Dotdash

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site focusing on expert-created education content. We are one of the top-10 information sites in the world as rated by comScore, a leading Internet measurement company. Every month, more than 13 million readers seek answers to their questions on ThoughtCo.

For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.

https://www.thoughtco.com/who-is-the-angel-of-death-123855

YOU NEEDED ME - Anne Murray - I cried a tear, you wiped it dry I was confused, you cleared my mind I sold my soul, you bought it back for me And held me up and gave me dignity Somehow you needed me You gave me strength to stand alone again To face the world out on my own again You put me high upon a pedestal So high that I could almost see eternity You needed me, you needed me And I can't believe it's you I can't believe it's true I needed you and you were there And I'll never leave, why should I leave, I'd be a fool 'Cause I finally found someone who really cares

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You Needed Me

Anne Murray

Album   :  Let’s Keep It That Way

Written by:  Randy Goodrum

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGGX3z6MhjUAnneMurrayRoadvideo404

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-X79Jko9bBIAnneMurrayashleymax 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT1h7Wq7Yiw AnneMurrayliztriciaserendipity404 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwRwXm_vC1QAnneMurrayRitzlouArlan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFeEfsdTtkoAnneMurraySendRoss

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PqFwSGKzngAnneMurrayjym1644

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r16ypTTgSgsAnneMurrayOlieAlsula

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYVvYGryKOMAnneMurrayEyeLoveDior

lyrics

I cried a tear, you wiped it dry
I was confused, you cleared my mind
I sold my soul, you bought it back for me
And held me up and gave me dignity
Somehow you needed me

You gave me strength to stand alone again
To face the world out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me

And I can't believe it's you I can't believe it's true
I needed you and you were there
And I'll never leave, why should I leave, I'd be a fool
'Cause I finally found someone who really cares

You held my hand when it was cold
When I was lost, you took me home
You gave me hope when I was at the end
And turned my lies back into truth again
You even called me friend

You gave me strength to stand alone again
To face the world out on my own again
You put me high upon a pedestal
So high that I could almost see eternity
You needed me, you needed me
You needed me, you needed me

"You Needed Me" is a song written by Randy Goodrum, who describes it as being about "unconditional undeserved love". It was a number one hit single in the United States in 1978 for Canadian singer Anne Murray, for which she won a Grammy Award. In 1999, Irish pop band Boyzone recorded a hit cover of the song that hit number one in the UK Singles Chart.

"You Needed Me" was first recorded by singer Anne Murray in 1978. The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and revitalized her career after several years of declining popularity as it became her first Top 40 US single since her 1974 remake of The Beatles' "You Won't See Me". The song, included on her 1978 album Let's Keep It That Way, was also a top-five country single and won Song of the Year at the Academy of Country Music awards, and is her most successful single in the United Kingdom where it made the top 30. Murray is quoted in The Billboard Book of Number One Hits by Fred Bronson as saying she was not surprised by the song's success, as she knew from the start the song would be a hit because she broke down in tears the first time she tried to sing it.

Although the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100chart (and is her only song to top that chart), it never topped the two Billboard charts where Murray has had the most success -- Country and Adult Contemporary. However, it spent a then-record 36 weeks on the Adult Contemporary chart, a record for chart longevity that stood until 1993.

The song earned Murray the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 21st Grammy Awards,^[3] the first to be awarded to a Canadian artist.

Anne Murray re-recorded the song with Shania Twain for Murray's 2007 album Duets: Friends & Legends.

The song was featured in an ongoing storyline on the CBS soap Guiding Light in 1980–81, as a theme song for the characters Kelly Nelson and Morgan Richards. In 2013, the song was performed by Seth MacFarlane in character as Stewie Griffin on the Family Guy episode "Chris Cross", in which Anne Murray herself guest-starred.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Needed_Me