What are the keys of Hades and Death that Christ has?

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

God has given us revelation, to know what will happen.

See Revelation Chapter 1.

First of all, this is for His servants. The Lord specifically gave this Book of Revelation, to show His servants the things that would come to pass.

Prophecy, is not prediction, or fortune telling, or communication with the dead. Prophecy is when God speaks and reveals what He wants to reveal about the future. It's one of the characteristics of God that sets Him apart from anyone, or anything that people might worship, or hold in high regard as some great and powerful personage, or entity etc. Only the Living and the true God, The Father of Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ Himself, and the Holy Spirit have this ability.

Secondly, the prophecy contained in the Book of Revelation is associated with a blessing to those who hear it, and  read it, and to those keep it. Blessed means to be happy. There is then a certain happiness that one will have as they hear, read and keep what's in this book.

Thirdly, the contents of this book were to be given to seven particular churches that existed at the time John received this revelation. Those churches were located in what is modern day Turkey.
However, most Bible Scholars, commentators, and teachers are of the opinion that the seven churches also are representative to two things.

1. Church History. From the inception of the church, right on through to the last days church.

2. The lessons in these letters can have application to any Christian at any time.( That is, for example, "leaving your first love" as with the church of Ephesus. Well, they, thatactual church was indeed losing it's first love, but, so with the average Christian, they canalso find themselves losing their first love. So, the letters in chapter 2-3 do have both a historical application to seven particular churches, but also to you and I as christians )

The Lord is very self revealing in this book of Revelation and very much so in the first chapter.
As you read it through you might try counting up the specific things that are said about Jesus.
It's a long and detailed list.

Let me just mention a few of them to you.

1. He is the God of grace and peace. Jesus gives grace and gives peace. See Rev 1:4.
This means, that He can give us grace and peace. He is unchanging and thus, these
blessings are also available for us today.

2. He is intimately connected with His church. He is standing in the midst of His church. He is in
His church ( although there are some warnings in the 2nd 3rd chapter about His removing
Himself from the church etc ) But, to start with He is in His church. And His church is not a
building, but it's people. And people are individually members of His church. A Christian is a
church member, and Christ is in that person. Christ in you, is how the Bible puts it.

So, the one who gives grace and peace is in you if you are a christian.

Let's today, as we begin this first week of the new year, 2012, and head to our various church services this week and coming weekend, be blessed by this book of Revelation, and be receivers today of His grace, and of His peace.

We can pray for those blessings. We can ask for them. We can have them multiplied through the knowledge of God, that is through His Word.

May God bring great, and abundant blessings of peace and grace to you today, and lay that foundation moving into the new year.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

As you go into the new year, some thoughts to consider, and apply

Paul was looking forward to the future, but making plans in the present. Here are a few simple thoughts and truths from Scripture, that I pray will be an encouragement to you. 


God had been at work in the past in Timothy's life, just has He has in yours. Those things in the past are a bridge into where Timothy was at the time of this writing, and the same would apply to each and every Christian. .  See 2nd Tim 1:6-18  Here's a quick recap of that section. ( Taking what was said and what was true of Timothy, and applying these Scriptural truths and principles to your own life )


1. Your spiritual giftedness may need to be stirred up.
2. God has not given you a spirit of fear.
3. But rather of power, love, and a sound mind.
5. Do not be ashamed of Christ's testimony.
6. Do not be ashamed of other Christians.
7. Share in the sufferings for the gospel's sake.
8. Sufferings are helped and endured by God's power.
9. God has saved you, and called you. 
10. Salvation is not based on your works.
11. Salvation is based on God's purpose and grace.
12. Salvation was given to us in Christ Jesus.
13. Salvation and Christ Jesus were before time began. 
14. Salvation has now been revealed to us. 
15. Salvation has appeared to us in Christ Jesus.
16. Salvation means, death is abolished.
17. Salvation brought life and immortality to light. 
18. Salvation is brought to light in the gospel of Christ. 


There were a few more things that Paul said to Timothy, that can be directly applied to our lives as well. 


1. God has an appointment for you in ministry.
2. God determines our appointments to and in ministry.
3. Ministry and suffering go together.
4. Not being ashamed and ministry go together also.
5. We know who we have believed in. 
6. We are persuaded He is able to keep us.
7. We can and ought to commit ourselves to Him.
8. He keeps those who know Him. 
9. Commitment now, is connected with the future day. 




Even more things to do from Paul to Timothy


1. Hold fast the pattern of sound Words.
2. Hold them fast in faith and love, which is in Christ Jesus.
3. Keep by God's Spirit, what He has committed to you. 
4. Be merciful even to those who hate you. 




Now, onto the the future. Here are some really wonderful truths and blessings, and points of application from Scripture. 


1. Be made being strong in the grace in Jesus Christ.
    In other words, in light of who you are, and the gifts God has 
    given you, find your strength day by day in God's grace.
    That grace is found in Christ Jesus.


2. Commit the things you have heard to other faithful men.
    You have heard many things, i.e truths over your time in 
    Christ, and that's what you can pass on to others. 


3. Others can take the truths of Jesus Christ, and, can teach
    others as well. It's passing on what you know to others.


4. Endure the hardships like a good soldier would endure them.

5. No one who is engaged in warfare can get entangled with 
    the affairs of this life. In other words, stay focused on your
    mission. 


6. The Christian life is often described in military terms.


7. Be like an athlete. Or stick to the rules. Athletes must play 
    by the rules, or they cannot win the crown. 


8. Hard working farmers, also enjoy tasting and eating of their
    crops. 




Lastly, Paul encouraged Timothy to simply consider what he had been saying, and explained that the Lord would give him understanding in these things. Consideration of God's Truths are blessed by God, who gives the "considerer" understanding or insight. 


Remember Jesus Christ, from the seed of David, was raised from the dead, according to the gospel that Paul the apostle preached. 


Paul suffered because he was a preacher of the gospel. He was put in prison, but, he mentions that God's Word is never bound. 


Finally, Paul endured all that he did endure for the sake of the elect. He was dedicated to serving God's people. And, he was dedicated to serving the Lord, with others coming to faith as well. He was an evangelist. He was committed to evangelism. 




Well, I trust that the above thoughts from God's Word may be of some encouragement to you. And, may God truly bless His work in and through your life as we move into this New Year. 


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Revelation 1:17-20 Exposition and Application

After John heard the voice behind him, and then turned to see who it was, and having then seen the Lord as He is described there in verses 12-16, we now have John's reaction. He fell to the ground as if dead.

Of course he did not really die, but he did fall to the ground, as if he was dead. The sight of Jesus Christ in His glorious body and state, was so awesome that John could only fall to the ground. This same reaction is seen and found in some of the priests in the OT.

At this point, Jesus spoke again to John. This is the second time in this chapter that He did so.
The first time was in 1:11, but now, He speaks again. He first of all had identified Himself as the Eternal God, and instructed John to write in a book the things he was seeing, and then to send it to the seven churches that are in Asia.

But, now, Jesus speaks again to this aged apostle who was just prostrated before Him, and says something so familiar to anyone who has read the Bible. It's a phrase and statement that God often uses and says to His people. It is, "Do not be afraid" But, He also did something else, He laid His right hand upon John. Now, in the Bible, the right hand is considered to be a symbol of power, and it is an expression of not only power but of will and encouragement, affirmation, commission etc. It's very comforting and a real blessing.

There were a number of things the Lord said about Himself to John at this point.

1. I Am the First and the Last.
2. I Am He who lives and was dead.
3. And, behold I live forevermore.
4. Amen.
5. I have the keys of Hades and Death.

So, He was saying, I'm the eternal God. I'm the One who came to the earth, took on a body, died for your sins, and was buried, and then rose again.
I'm alive forevermore. I'll never die again. That phase of my ministry is accomplished and finished.
Amen or so be it. I'm affirming this eternal truth about Myself, and My mission to redeem man.
And, because of who I Am, I possess the ability to open the door and release men from death, and to also allow them to go into eternal judgment.

Finally in the next two verses, Jesus gives John further explanation about what to do. It's somewhat of a repetition to what He had said earlier in 1:11. Additionally, what's said to John at this point, covers the entire history of man from that time, till the end of man's rule upon this earth, extending into what is called the 1000 year reign of Christ on the earth and beyond.

Jesus also gave explanation to some of what John had seen. This is so helpful for us. He explains the mystery as He calls it, of the seven stars and the seven golden lampstands.

The seven stars in the right hand of Jesus are the seven angels, or messengers, or pastor's of the seven churches that are listed in chapters 2-3. And represent the future pastors and leaders who would find themselves ministering in the church of Jesus Christ.

The seven lampstands are the seven churches.

So, what we know from this explanation is the intimate involvement of Jesus Christ with and in His church.


Some applicational thoughts.....

1. God often repeats Himself for our benefit.
2. We must need to have His Word repeated, or He would not do it.
3. Fear is one of the common emotions we have to deal with.
4. God's prescription for our fear is "do not be afraid"
5. The prescription is based on who He is in our lives.
6. Not being afraid is linked intimately with who He is.
7. One thing the Lord wants us to know is His eternal nature.
8. God very frequently tells us He is eternal.
9. Forevermore, is waiting for us.
10. Forevermore is actually waiting for everyone.
11. Forevermore with God is what He wants.
12. Forevermore without God is not what He desires.
13. Jesus received into a life, means forevermore with God.
14. The call to John was to write, or to serve.
15. God has a call upon each one of our lives also.


Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia















God is more awesome then we know.
Bowed down before Him is an appropriate reaction to God.

Revelation Chapter 1:9-16 Exposition and Application

John said several things about himself. One, he was "your brother", and secondly, "and companion in tribulation, and thirdly, in the kingdom and patience of Jesus  Christ "

He is our brother or fellow family member in Christ, and our companion or partaker in tribulation, which means trouble, anguish, a pressing together, oppression, affliction, distress. He knew very personally what it was to have trouble in his life. But, he lived to write about it. God used him to share with us, this wonderful book of Revelation.

He also mentions, "in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ" The kingdom, is the domain if you will of God's personal and direct rule and blessing in the lives of His people. He is over all things, but He also has made open to any who will believe, entrance into His family and rule. It's His kingdom. It's described in various ways in the Bible, but here, John, says "patience"

Patience, means, steadfastness, enduring, patient continuance, patient waiting. It's the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings. It speaks of sustaining perseverance.

Companions in tribulation and patience. He knew what trouble and pressure were, and he also knew what it was to endure the pressure and the trouble. To patiently endure.


John heard the voice of God speak to him. And, the Lord went on to identify Himself to John, and was then instructed to write what he was seeing in this vision, and send it on to the seven churches who are mentioned in chapters 2-3. And, that's basically what the book of Revelation is about. It's about what the Lord showed John, as recorded in these chapters.

Not only did John hear God's voice speak to him, but he also saw Jesus standing as it were in the midst of "seven golden lampstands" These lampstands,  represent the seven churches. We know that, because Rev 1:20 tells us what the lampstands are.

The Lord is in His church. His church is the light of the world, because of Him. He is the light of the world, and He has made us the light of the world. And, He wants to shine through each and every one of the members of His church.

Jesus was then described in great detail by John. From head to feet, including His clothing. The clothing is similar to how the priests would be dressed in the Temple and in the Tabernacle of God.
Jesus is our high priest, and as such, He represents us to God, and represents God to us. That was the function of the priests. He still is that for us today. Our representative if you will.

His clothing also signifies Him as judge. So, He is both priest and judge.

He is also the holder of His pastors and leaders. He holds the seven stars that are in the midst of the lampstands. This is a point of great comfort to any and all who are in places of ministry in the church. Jesus holds you. He has you in His hand. What a great place to be.

John, also mentions the Word of God, saying the Word of God was like a sharp two edged sword. The power of God's Word. It's a sharp sword. Sharp on the two edges or sides. Not dull, but sharp. It's able to pierce even to the dividing of our soul and spirit. It can get to us, more deeply and at the most important levels possible in this life. God speaks to us as does no one else.

A few thoughts for reflection and application.

1. We are not the only ones who are blessed and troubled.
2. God has a large family.
3. Some of the family is already in heaven.
4. Some of the family are here on earth.
5. Our family is in the Kingdom of God.
6. Trouble and patience are two characteristics of our family.
7. Everyone has trouble, especially those who live for Christ.
8. Everyone can have patience, it's a blessing from God.
9. God's Word is given to us, for blessing.
10. God's Word in Revelation, teaches us the future of the world.
11. Jesus is not far away, He is in His people.
12. Jesus is with your pastor.
13. Pastor's can find comfort in knowing they are in Jesus's hand.
14. Jesus represents us to the Father.
15. Jesus will judge the world and all men outside of the kingdom one day.
16. What John saw, we will also see one day with our own eyes.

May the Lord bring you peace today, if you are a troubled soul. May He give you patience today also. He is with you, and He has a good hold on you. May you be blessed in your walk today.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

Revelation Chapter 1:1-8 Exposition and Application

This book, is what the Father gave the Son to show His servants-things which must shortly come to pass. It's the Revelation of Jesus Christ, or the unveiling of Jesus Christ, i.e the revealing of Jesus Christ ( in the context of what lays ahead for this world )

That's the opening verse in chapter 1.
What's in the book has been given to Christ to show to His servants.
The things in Revelation, are said to be "things which must shortly take place"
This apparently does not mean "right away" in John's day. For they have not taken place, it's been about 2000 years in round numbers since the writing of this book.

What it does seem to mean, is that once these events start taking place, they will take place rapidly, in a rapid succession, and come to an end quickly, in a short period of time..

Blessing is promised to those who would read this book, and those who would keep the things that are written in it. So, there is this beatitude if you will of blessing, for the readers and the keepers of this book.

We know what reading means, but, what does it mean to "keep the things which are written in it"?
The idea could well be, "those who keep themselves true to the things which are written, ( heeding them and laying them to heart ) Or being a doer if you will. This is the normal teaching and concept you find all through Scripture. God speaks to us, and teaches us, He instructs us, He enlightens our minds to the truth, and then calls us to follow Him, abide in His Word, stay in His will, respond in obedience to Him, order our lives according to His Word. There is always blessing in that.


The seven churches that are mentioned, were actual churches that existed at the time of this book being written. There is a message to each church. A distinct message. And, many Bible commentators believe that the 7 churches also represent 7 periods of church history. Starting with the first century church, leading right up to the last days church. Thus when you look through these 7 letters, one can see different situations that the church has faced and gone through down through the history of these last 2000 years.

Additionally, the message to each church, and the circumstances that are described in each church, can also very easily, be applied to the experiences of individual christians in their walk with the Lord.
In other words, if you take for example the first message in chapter 2, to the church of Ephesus, one can see how a christian can also be in the position of losing their first love, just like the church was. So, more about these matters in the next two chapters in the days to come.

Jesus is described or revealed, or unveiled for us in the next few verses, 1:4-8 in tremendous detail.

1. He along with the Father and Holy Spirit give grace, and peace to His servants.
2. He is the faithful witness.
3. He is the firstborn from the dead.
4. He is the ruler over the kings of the earth.
5. He is the one who "loved us" and does love us today, at this moment.
6. He has washed us from our sins in His own blood.
7. He has made us kings and priests to His God and Father.
8. He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him.
9. He will be mourned by all the tribes of the earth.
10. He is the Alpha and Omega.
11. He is the Beginning and the End.
12. He is the one who "Was and who is to come"
13. He is the Almighty.

A few applicational thoughts to consider.

God has His servants in mind. He wants them to know what His plans are for them, and for this world.

God has given us this look into the future, through His Word. He sent it, He signified it by His angel to His servant John. Angel here could refer to an angel, or to Christ Himself. Either way, the point is, that God has communicated with us in this book.

As with most any part of the Bible, it has two parts to it. The first part is our receiving it , or hearing it, or reading it, understanding it. Part two, is our response to what we have just received, understood, etc. The two go together, and bring about blessing in our lives.

We are needy people. And the messages in the 7 letters are so fitting at various times in our lives. God knows what our needs and situations are, and these letters are so helpful.

Jesus is greater then we know. Even though you can count 13 things said about Him, that cannot be said about anyone else. But, these things are just a fraction of what He is. In fact, there is really no way to measure or describe God in some true final form. He is greater then all of our words and understanding.

One last but, supremely great truth, is that Jesus is coming again. We may be alive to see Him return to the earth. It could very well happen to us. That we are taken up to be with Him. We do know for certain, that we will be with Him in heaven, and we will return back with Him when He comes to rule on the earth.

Well, blessings to you, and look forward in the next few months to going through this book with you section by section, and chapter by chapter.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

What Joseph went through just before Christ was born.

Joseph and Mary were what is called "Betrothed" Like an engagement in today's culture, but a little more final. It was the first main and significant step towards marriage.
The betrothed couple were for all intents and purposed married, but they kept themselves from having marital relations, ( until they were fully married ) So, they had not come together as the text says in Matt 1:18.

Joseph would have been excited and happy about his betrothed wife Mary, waiting for the final stage of their engagement to take place.

At some point, it became clear to Joseph that his future wife was pregnant. We do not know how he found out. But he did. It's apparent from the text also, that no mention was made of how she became pregnant, or who was the man etc. He just knew that she was pregnant.

Under Jewish law, Mary could have been stoned to death for this pregnancy. Joseph had every right to put her away, divorce her, and also make her a public example.

Imagine what others may have thought seeing her carrying the baby in her womb. Clear to all, this woman is pregnant, but not yet fully married.

But, Joseph did not want to make her a public example, and so, he was going to put her away secretly. We don't know the details of his plan, but he did have one

It would have meant that his plans for a marriage to young Mary were dashed, and gone. How sad and disappointing this must have been, along with the shame of it all.

But, he was a just man. He was a righteous man. He was upright, he tried to act in accordance with what he knew to be the will of God for his life. That's who he was. Mary was very fortunate in that sense, to have such a man in her life.

I do wonder if he asked her, who the father was, and if she told him, "it was an angel from heaven"
What would his reaction have been?

But, here was this man, facing now a serious disruption in his plans, a just man, and he was thinking about all of this, dealing with it, pondering it, and trying to figure out what he was going to do about it all.

He went to sleep, and he had a dream, and in the dream, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, and told him a number of things.

1. Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.
2. For the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
3. She is going to have a son.
4. You are to call Him Jesus.
5. He will save His people from their sins.

I would imagine that if Mary had told him how she had become pregnant, that the dream would have been a confirmation of her story. If she had not told him, it would have begun to explain to him what had happened.

Matthew explains that all this ( what was just mentioned above ) was done to accomplish and fulfill the prophecies given by Isaiah. See Isa 7:14. His name was also "Immanuel" meaning, God with us.

Wow what a dream this must have been for Joseph. He went from being made aware of her pregnancy which in his mind had brought he and Mary's relationship to an end, to being made aware that God was at work bringing the Savior into this world.

So, in the midst of a very, very difficult situation to say the least, God spoke to Joseph and led him into the will of God in this matter.
Joseph had the distinct blessing of being the step father of Jesus Christ if you will.
What a blessing it must have been for him, having Jesus as a son.
God blessed Joseph through Christ.

God will bless you through Christ as well.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia