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Revelation 1:18
REVELATION 1:18
I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Rev. 1:18
As Paul writes to Timothy (1Tim 6:16), Jesus alone has immortality; it is His by virtue of both His Divinity and His right to eternal life as an obedient Son. John, naturally, in verse 17 falls at Jesus’ feet as a dead man because of the Holiness of our Savior. In His presence there is only the sense of our own corruption, even as Isaiah proclaimed, “Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Yet the Savior declares us alive in Him, an act only possible by the assurance of His own death and His own resurrection. Eternity is made a reality for us only insofar as it is evident in the Living Christ.
John was present at the tomb of Lazarus when Jesus called forth His friend from the grave. It is the only record of the tears of our Lord. The unbelief of those present who witnessed His great power, and the coldness of those who will reject the life that Jesus gives, brought sadness to our Redeemer. Having the keys of death and hell, Jesus, by virtue of His own resurrection, declares His sovereignty over all things, including our great enemy: death. What greater gift can God give us? John was also witness to another tomb; the tomb that could not imprison the life of our Savior. This same Savior Who now stands in God’s Heavenly temple to intercede for us. Jesus in this verse reminds John and us that He is the never-ending power and the eternal life. Through Him we have the hope of immortality. His Living Presence assures John and us of the truth of His statement and of His quickening life. Just as Lazarus was brought forth from sleep, so also shall all believers in Christ.
There is also a recurring theme in the words of Jesus; He that is, was, and evermore shall be, speaks of the eternal nature of Christ. In Him there is no death, only victory over the grave and the evil one who wishes to chain us all in the great abyss of sin. But the Lord comforts John and all who believe in Him that there is nothing to fear. His own death has given us the life and peace and freedom that His presence creates in every one of His followers. Home | About Us | Bible Study | Billerica Blog | Bible Commentary | Devotional | Online Giving | Ministries | Prayer | Media | Bookstore | News | Calendar | Contact Us | Sermons
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