Revelation Now :
Daily Devotional Bible Studies in Revelation
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Jesus Holds the Keys of Death : Day 6 
"When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches." (Revelation 1.17-20)
Reassurance
As the Roman government stepped up its persecution of Christians in the Second Century A.D., John must have wondered if the church would die or whether it could survive the opposition. When Jesus appeared in glory and splendour, he reassured John that he and his fellow believers had access to God's strength to face these trials. Do not be afraid Jesus says as he did to John on the Sea of Galilee in a storm. "But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'" (1) At the Transfiguration, when John was frightened by the presence of Moses and Elijah in an eerie cloud, he falls at his feet as though dead. Similarly, the soldiers in the Garden of Gethsemane fell down when Jesus spoke the holy "I am" name.
The Keys of Death
Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades The Greek word "Hades" is a translation of the Hebrew word "Sheol" and describes the location of the abode of the dead. (2). It emphasizes the awful dread of this place in the afterlife. Jesus himself holds the keys of death indicating his complete power and authority over it. Someone has said, "Life is like a maze in which you try to avoid the exit." But Jesus alone is able to free humans from the fear of death. Believers don't have to fear death, because Christ holds the keys to eternal life.
"Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot block a man's pathway for even a moment. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill."(3) Those who are facing premature death from a killer disease like cancer or AIDS need to remember that the power available to John and the Early Church is still available to us today.
Death has No Sting
When the end is near, be assured that death has no sting. Jesus has removed it for those who love and serve him. Jesus said to Lazarus's sister, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (4) This great question bears forth the earth shattering truth that even death is destroyed by Jesus.
Meditation
How do you feel knowing that even death is destroyed by Jesus?
Prayer
"Lord, I thank you that I have no cause to be afraid of dying.
Though you were once dead, now you are alive for evermore.
You hold the keys of death. I am safe in your arms." Amen.
Notes
(1) Matthew 14.27 (2) see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades (3) Charles Haddon Spurgeon (4) John 11:25-26
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place."
