Keys Unlock Gates

By Francis Frangipane

Heaven has keys that can unlock hell.

Recall Christ's word to His followers:

I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. —Matthew16:18–19

When we read these words of Christ's, many of us picture a determined, aggressive church charging boldly toward the gates of hell. Such images of spiritual warfare are typical today and certainly a vast improvement over the passive, selfish attitudes that infiltrated the church in previous years.

Yet, there is more in this text than the bold confrontation of the strongholds of hell. Between the lines, there is the mention of strategies: the "keys" of the kingdom of God. Let us isolate two words in Jesus' teaching that will broaden our understanding of spiritual warfare. Those two words are "keys" and "gates." Simply put, keys unlock gates. Reversing the sequence of the Lord's thoughts, Jesus promised to grant us the keys of the kingdom of heaven . . . and the gates of hell will not prevail against us. Note that He did not say He was giving us keys to the kingdom, but the keys of heaven. The goal is not to unlock heaven, for Jesus has already done that. Jesus is saying that heaven has keys that can unlock hell.

When Yesterday's Manna Ceases

By Francis Frangipane

We have a fairly neat, pleasant little package in our minds of who we consider the Lord Jesus Christ to be. I think that our view is essentially correct, but the problem is it is incomplete. It is important to recognize that there are certain perceptions we have of the nature of Christ that must be re-evaluated as the day of the Lord draws near. There are some things we are probably not quite ready to accept.

Our understanding of who the Lord is and who He wants to be in our lives needs to expand drastically to accommodate the restoration of Christ in the church. As the Lord continues to restore His gifts, ministries and power, we need to submit ourselves afresh to that which the Spirit is speaking. It is not an easy task, because our doctrines and our concepts, by nature, are self­ limiting.

The Deception Surrounding Splits

By Francis Frangipane 

I can offer no political solution to divisions. Ultimately, if attaining Christlikeness is not enough for you, I have no other remedy. I am a man in quest of the character of Christ. I write to people who share my passion. If you are reading this, but do not care passionately about becoming Christlike, I truly have nothing to offer you regarding splits. Becoming Christlike is the only way to avoid them or be healed from them.

Let the Word Be True
The Bible has a great deal to say about unity. However, I have yet to find one New Testament example where the Scriptures encouraged born again Christians to divide from or split a church. I have heard many Scriptures taken out of context and twisted to suit the purpose of division, but in context I do not see the Holy Spirit anywhere telling His people it is right to divide from other imperfect Christians.

The Lord Whose Sword Is Drawn

By Francis Frangipane

Of all the names the heavenly Father could have given His Son, it is most significant that He chose the name Jesus, for Jesus is the Greek form of "Joshua." Joshua, you recall, was the Hebrew general who led God's people into war. To be prepared for greater victories, we need a greater revelation of Jesus Christ. We need to see Him as He will be revealed in the last moments of this age: a Holy Warrior dressed for battle.

Will You Recognize Jesus When He Comes?
Now it came about when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing opposite him with his sword drawn in his hand, and Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us or for our adversaries?" Joshua 5:13

The Three Battlegrounds

By Francis Frangipane

Introduction 
I want to talk with you about spiritual warfare. Before we proceed, however, I have two concerns. The first is our need for wisdom. There is an old European proverb worth heeding. It reads: "Age and treachery will always defeat youth and zeal." Before we engage in spiritual warfare, we should know this about Satan: he is an ancient and extremely treacherous foe. On the other hand, the strength of most Christians lies primarily in idealism and untested fervor. Usually five to ten years in the ministry and most zeal has waned. Without warning, the minister's call has deteriorated from a walk of vision to a mere job.

What occurred was that zeal, by itself, challenged the treachery of hell and lost. The brightness of youthful dreams dimmed under the dark cloud of relentless satanic assault. Under the weight of growing frustrations and discouragement, compromise increased, and with it came iniquity and spiritual bondage.