Rev 1:11 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.
Rev 1:17 Do not be afraid; I Am the First and the Last.
Rev 1:18a I Am He who lives and was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore. Amen.
Rev 1:18b And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Four simple statements, that are the most profound thing anyone could ever say. These things are true about Jesus. He said them because they are true. Let's just look at each one briefly.
# 1. Alpha and Omega, are the first and the last letters of the Greek Alphabet, indicating that the Lord God is the beginning and the end of all things.
# 2. Do not be afraid: I Am the First and the Last. This was the first thing from Jesus to John, that was instruction if you will to John personally, and it's based on who Jesus is. Here is something John, "not to be" Do not be afraid. Do not fear, don't be in terror, or fright. And the reason is, because of who I am. I'm eternal, I was here before anything. I'm the one who lives forever. My person and position is greater then any problem, or predicament you may find yourself in. So, Do not be afraid.
# 3. And, this is somewhat of a repeat, but with explanation. I'm the one who lives and was dead, and I'm alive forevermore, Amen. Looking at His current state, He was alive, but looking back at His time here on earth, and focusing on the cross, where He died. He was at one point dead. But, now, being alive, He is also alive, never to die again, but is alive forevermore. Or for eternity.
# 4. There are two keys that Jesus has. This places Him in the position of authority over these two areas. One is hades, or modern day hell, where the souls of unbelievers go upon their death, as they await the final judgement, and then they will be cast into the lake of fire. The other is death itself.
Death is under the control of Jesus, in that He has conquered it. The separation that sin brought to man, has been fixed if you will by Jesus. He bridged the separation, by becoming separated from His Father, and dying, but only to be raised from the dead, and alive, to never die again. He is the authority over death.
When you review what Jesus said, it mostly has to do with His eternal nature, and ability to influence our lives, and the great authority He has, and the peace we have by being in Him.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
