03/08/2013 - THE KEYS OF HADES AND OF DEATH

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And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 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.”

Revelation 1.17-18

John met Jesus in his glorious state, which led the apostle to fall at his feet as dead. Certainly the same – or something even stronger – would happen to us as well. We must know that, when God’s glory is revealed, when Christ returns, the lost humankind will regret forever for not having listened to the Holy Word, including some Christians who, unfortunately, will also feel sorry for the way they acted (Matthew 7.21-23).

Then Jesus comforted the apostle and told John not to be afraid, introducing himself as the First and the Last. Indeed, before the Lord there was nothing. He is the beginning of all things, and after him there will be nothing either, as he is the Last. The Master was with the Father and the Holy Spirit from the beginning (1John 1.1). This allows us to rest in his promises, and prepare ourselves for this amazing encounter, when we will remain with the Father for all eternity.

It is important to remember that Jesus is alive. Although he died on the cross to redeem us, he resurrected and is forever alive. We will spend eternity with him. Those who are dead when Jesus comes back will be brought back to life and, with glorified bodies, will also live eternally in his kingdom of love and light. However, those who stray from God’s path will suffer forever.

The Lord said he has the keys of Hades and death. He took them from the hands of Satan, who now cannot lock his own house, nor guard his own nature – death. The Father gave Jesus all authority in heavens and earth, extending it to the members of the Body of Christ, empowering them through the name of Jesus to cast away demons and heal the sick.

Therefore, we the Church need to trust in what the Master said and invade the territories the enemy is still occupying, since the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16.18b). But many Christians allow worldly cares such as greed and ambition to suffocate the Word, rendering it infertile. We must be good ground, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred (Mark 4.20).

The Savior is not only the ruler of his kingdom, but he also has control over the enemy’s empire. He has the operational keys to the kingdom of darkness. Now, all we need to do is maintain fellowship with him, follow his orders, so that we can carry out his work in a complete manner, confident that we will receive our reward in heaven.

The message to the Church is: continue to move ahead without fear, reaching out to those who are trapped into sin, and the Lord will take care of you!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares