“I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades” (Revelation 1:18).
When the apostle John wrote the book of Revelation the world was not kind to Christians. Roman Emperor Domitian was the emperor of the Roman Empire at the time and he was noted for his cruelty. He initiated a persecution of Christians and sent the apostle John into exile on the island of Patmos. Domitian was even more dangerous than the infamous Nero, who preceded him. He issued an anti-Christian decree—“That no Christian, once brought before the tribunal, should be exempted from punishment without renouncing his religion.”
While John was on the island of Patmos, Jesus appeared to him with the message of this verse. While Domitian insisted on being addressed as “Lord and God,” Jesus came with the reassuring word that He is the Living One who holds the keys of death and Hades. Temporary circumstances do not overrule Jesus’ authority. He, not Domitian or anyone else, holds the keys to eternal life.
These words were not just to reassure John, but they are foundational for every believer of every generation. We need not be afraid of anything. We need not fear the threat of any human situation or any human power because Jesus has overcome for us any circumstance we may face—even death. The book of Revelation pictures Jesus as the King of kings and Lord of Lords. In Him we have victory and He is the One who will bring us ultimate victory.
When human history has been completed He will stand as the One who has overcome. Because of His victory we, as well, can never be defeated. It was important that John, living in exile, should hear that and it is just as important that we realize it, too.
