The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
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.
Jesus said that! It takes no great faith to understand that Jesus Christ died. Most know the story of His crucifixion. But to believe that He lives and that He will live for evermore…that He is alive and well today, that takes a great faith! Doubtless this next statement can be made without any fear of contradiction. No one in this life we are now living has ever seen anyone walking down the street that was dead and buried for three days. Since this has not been seen with our own eyes it is difficult to believe. Yet the Bible proclaims this happened, and by faith it is believed by some.
Yes, He died, oh Jesus Died, the Christ, the promised Seed.
I know He died, this Lamb of God, for my most precious need.
His blood was shed upon the cross twill be my heavenly creed.
He stands there now, before the throne for me to intercede.
Not only is Jesus alive and well today, He also has the keys of hell and of death. These two unconditional promises are found in today’s verse, Revelation 1:18. A thousand-page tome could be written about this statement, and we still would not understand all that it means. Suffice it to say that it’s the Lord Jesus Christ that can lock or unlock hell and death. This means He has power over the unseen spiritual world concerning life, death and judgment. Of course, He conquered death giving us the victory over it. Paul wrote of this truth in I Corinthians 15:54-57. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This gift of His, can no man pay, the price for which He gave.
Not only for one, but for all mankind, He gave His life to save.
Forevermore from sin made free, if to His blood we cleave
To pardon us, and set us free, and rescue from the grave.
To say that the Lord Jesus Christ is powerful is the understatement of all understatements. He has all power! He is power personified. There is no power greater than His. He is so powerful that He can unlock that awful fearful place called Hell and that tremendously fearful event called death. None other than He can claim such. In John 10:18 Jesus said about His life: No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Today’s Bible Edge is this: Jesus Christ the Son of the living God is alive and is in control.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.