"He Seized the Keys of Death and Hell"

Besides being the Master Teacher, Jesus prepared the finest visual aids for His students. As the "Creator of heaven and earth" (Jacob 2:5), and knowing "the end from the beginning" (Abraham 2:8), His visual aids were furnished well in advance.

Matthew 16 is a classic example. The Pharisees and Sadducees show up on the scene requesting a sign from heaven. Then to paraphrase, He says they are good meteorologists, but not so good with the signs of the times. Then He says they can have one sign, but not the one they are looking for. He will give them the sign of the prophet Jonah. Choosing this as a sign serves three purposes.

The first purpose is to foretell of His own death and resurrection. Jesus had previously explained, "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40). This, of course, is the most important sign to seek.

This illustration also serves to set up a later teaching moment in the same chapter. When Jesus and His disciples enter the borders of Cæsarea Philippi, He asks this critical question: "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" (Matthew 16:13). It's important to understand that as they enter Caesarea Philippi, they are entering serious pagan territory. It is the seat for the worship of the Greek god, Pan.  I have attached a link to an interesting article about this area. You can click here.

Then comes the answer from His disciples stating who others think He is. "Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets." Do you get the impression that this could have been a much longer list? And perhaps it could have included some of those Greek false gods as well. Then comes the second question: "But whom say ye that I am?" 

Peter quickly and boldly replies, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." But Peter's testimony consists of two inharmonious statements. The term Christ is the Greek version of the Hebrew concept of Messiah. It would have been a "chosen one," indeed the "anointed one." But a Hellenistic conception of Christ would be a superhuman, but not the Son of God. Hence, Jesus' reply, "Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." 

Now we come upon the second purpose of the "sign of Jonas." Jesus addresses Peter by saying, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona." Bar-jona  means "son of Jonah." Perhaps this is a reminder to Peter that as a "son of Jonah," the earth will swallow him too. 

The third purpose lies in the source of Peter's testimony. He did not acquire his testimony by subscribing to Greek philosophy. It came through revelation, and that revelation came through the Holy Ghost. The name Jonah means "dove." When Jesus was baptized, "the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him" (Luke 3:22). It is a reminder that all revelation is confirmed by and through the Holy Ghost.

But now comes the good news of the gospel. Though the earth will swallow up Peter, his father, Jonah, and everyone of us (except those who are "twinkled"), Jesus stands with the keys unlocking death and hell. If you opened the link above and read the article, you came upon the following lines:

"To the pagan mind, the cave at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld, where fertility gods lived during the winter."

The fertility gods came back in the spring, bringing new life. 

Jesus stands with Peter, holding the keys to the grave (and the underworld). He makes the following promises to Peter and others:

"That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Did I tell you about His visual aids? Guess what's standing right behind them. A great big mountain of rock. Click here or go to the Bible Photos to see a picture. I have to wonder when Jesus thought to make this rock. Maybe just a few zillion years ago.

The promises continue:

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (see Matthew 16:13-19).

And the promises continue. The same binding keys were conferred on an Easter Sunday as the resurrected Christ appeared in the Kirtland Temple with Moses, Elias, and Elijah, and committed priesthood keys with this charge, "Therefore, the keys of this dispensation are committed into your hands" (D&C 110:16). And at the organization of Christ's church in this dispensation, the same promise was given: 

"For his (Joseph Smith and all who would follow after him as prophet, seer, and revelator) word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.

"For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory" (D&C 21:5-6).