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The conclusion, given by the Lord Jesus, is given in verse 18. The grammatical
construction is the same as in 16: 19 and the reader is again referred back to this verse
and its rendering of the future perfect passive periphrastic. We give the rendering of The
Amplified Version:
"Truly, I tell you, whatever you forbid and declare to be improper and unlawful on
earth must be what is already forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit and declare
proper and lawful on earth must be already permitted in heaven."
100: B. Williams translates this verse:
"I solemnly say to you, whatever you forbid on earth must be already forbidden in
heaven, and whatever you permit on earth must be already permitted in heaven."
Robert Young gives it literally:
"Verily I say to you, whatever things ye may bind upon the earth shall be having been
bound in the heaven, and whatever things ye may loose on the earth shall be having been
loosed in heaven."
These translations are true to the original Greek and show clearly that believers can
only do what God has already determined shall be done. Their action is contingent upon
God's will. He is certainly not waiting in heaven to see what believers on earth decide to
do before He ratifies their action. This would grossly over-emphasize the importance of
human beings and make almighty God subservient to them and is entirely contrary to the
revelation of holy Scripture.
Unfortunately, from time to time, God's people on earth have failed to carry out God's
decrees and have authorized what He has not willed. Needless to say, such activity is
null and void so far as God is concerned. He will carry out on the earth what He has
determined and not all the forces of Satan and men can finally stop it, although they may
hinder its realization for a while. Matt. 18: 18 declares that God's people can only
ratify what God has already purposed. The faulty rendering of the A.V. and other
versions have only led to priestcraft and bondage to men.
The Lord Jesus goes on to declare:
"Again, I tell you, that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will
be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in My
Name, there am I with them" (18: 19, 20, N.I.V.).
These two verses must not be separated; otherwise truth will be jeopardized.
Verse.19 does not give an invitation to ask anything we choose or want with the
assurance that we shall receive it. If this was so, it would mean that two people could
demand anything from God, even if it was contrary to His will, whereas I John 5: 14
declares:
"And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to
His will, He heareth us",