postlaestadianrevival

In bible study today Beth Moore gave an explanation of this passage that I thought would be of interest here.
"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

She explained that keys were given by kings to trusted servants or stewards who would be in charge of provisions.The keys were to the storehouses. For example, Joseph had the keys to the provisions of Egypt and was able to open the storehouse and give food to his brothers.

In the same way, the apostles were given the key to the provision of God. This seems to me like the ability to understand and teach the word of God.

On to the loosing and binding. In the original Greek language, these words were "Perfect passive participles," according to Beth. She explained that a more accurate translation would be "you may bind on earth what has been bound in heaven, you may loose one earth what has been loosed in heaven..." Which makes more sense really, God does the loosening and the binding--He is the one in control.

She did not use this verse in the way the Laestadian's are used to it being applied-to sin, but to the binding of Satan and the loosening of the Holy Spirit.

Interesting....

Very interesting that I heard an explanation about this today on some new CDs I got(not Laestadian either). The preacher relates it to something similar to what you said. Consider if you saw a dog biting someone and the dog would not release them, but you have a lead pipe in your hand and you give that dog a massive headache or worse with that lead pipe and the victim is set free. The word of God is quick and powerful and a sure lead pipe against the devil. I could picture the dog as the devil or some kind of bondage or oppression and that lead pipe as God's word. The pastor on the CD also referred to binding the devil and breaking his grasp loosening him from us and all that is ours as believers who are entitled to all the promises of God's word, taking authority to bind, loose, cast out and tread upon. Pretty good stuff!

Beth Moore's understanding parallels what I have heard John MacArthur say. I consider both of them to be very wise, since they back up all that they teach with other parts of Scripture.