See Rev 1:18 “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Jesus explains who He is, and what He has with Him.
First of all then, "I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore" What do these three things mean?
Jesus is alive. That's what He says about Himself. He had existed eternally in glory with the Father, and with the Holy Spirit, but then came to the earth, being born of a virgin, and entered humanity as a little baby. He grew and then entered His ministry, doing many miracles, teaching many things, demonstrating that He was God, but then accomplishing what He primarily came to do.
And, that was to die on the cross for the sins of the world. He came to die for our sins. That was His hour, and He accomplished it. He finished it. He was then buried in the ground, as is most anyone who has died. He had a funeral if you will, His body being put into a tomb. He was dead.
But, then on the 3rd day, He arose from the dead. And, it's these twin truths that Jesus mentions to start with. I am alive, I was dead, but now I'm alive. He rose from the dead.
There is an additional thing he says here....I am alive forevermore. So, I was dead, I'm am alive now, but not just alive in the sense that anyone is alive, I'm alive forevermore. Or forever, and forever. I will not die, I will never change my being alive status. I will continue to live into eternity, and for eternity, forever, and forever.
So, He came from eternity, into this temporal existence, and is now back in eternity if you will, and it's forever as a man raised from the dead.
Secondly, Jesus speaks of two keys He has. The keys of Hades and the Keys of Death. These two keys.
What does all of this mean?
1. Keys speak of authority.
2. Jesus has authority over Hades and Death.
3. Hades is where unbelievers go at this time when they die.
4. Hades holds the immaterial part or soul of unbelievers.
5. Hades will one day be emptied.
6. Those in Hades will go to the lake of fire forever.
7. Jesus has victory over death.
8. He has the key or authority over death.
9. Jesus proved this by raising from the dead.
10. Jesus will always have the key over death.
11. Jesus is alive forevermore.
What does all of this mean for those who believe in Christ?
1. It means we will not go to Hades or the Lake of Fire.
2. The reason, is that we are in Christ.
3. And, Christ has the authority over these two places.
4. We will be with Christ forevermore.
5. We have eternal life in Christ.
6. We also will live forever, and not die again if you will.
Death is the great enemy of man, and Christ has defeated Death. Man exists now in this world, and will one day leave this world and arrive in an eternal dwelling place.
There are only two places that a man can go after he dies. But, those places are determined not after death, but while alive here on earth.
God wants every man to wind up not in the lake of fire, but in heaven with Him.
The good news is, that heaven is available for anyone who will come to Christ, and receive Him into their lives as savior.
Blessings to you.....
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
