“And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Revelation 1:17-18 KJV)
I have always been a person who was particular about keys . . . keys to the house; keys to the car, etc. The problem is that I always have too many keys, all different sizes for different locks. Each one is important and would complicate my life if lost, but maybe I don’t need to carry them around with me everywhere I go. Perhaps I only need the one(s) essential for what I am doing at a given time.
At least, I have designated a place to hang my keys so that I always know where they are when I need them. Nothing worse than misplaced keys, except racing around trying to find them when you were supposed to be somewhere already.
Note the words of Jesus in today’s Scripture passage: “Fear not.” What an assuring, encouraging word! But why should I not fear? Because He is “the first and the last,” the one who “was dead yet lives!” What comfort! Since Jesus is alive – first and last – for evermore, there is nothing for me to fear because He has conquered everything that creates fear. I must remember that!
Note his exhortation, “Behold.” Our Lord’s context impregnates this term with more than simply an attention grabber. The Lord is reminding his people of his resurrected, glorified, eternal presence — end of the matter. And as our Eternal Amen, He controls “the keys of hell and death,” so they can no longer control us through fear (Hebrews 2:14-15).
The One who is Eternal Life has conquered both death and hell and now carries their keys in his own pocket, thus insuring our security against them. Hallelujah!!! So we can rejoice and sing, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. O DEATH, WHERE IS THY STING? O DEATH, WHERE IS THY VICTORY?” (1Corinthians 15:54-55 KJV).
Dear Father, thank you for our Living Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord, who has conquered both death and hell. Grant that we may daily remember these essential keys and not fear. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today without fear,