He is alive forever and ever
Coupled quickly to the phrase of death Jesus repeats himself. The death of Christ was not the end, his resurrection was. That end was a permanent beginning. Without death there can be no resurrection.
There are many people who want finality. Jesus is that finality, and that is what John heard. There is not another transition for the being of Christ. He is now in his glorified state and will remain that way forever and ever.
I have the keys of death and Hades
“28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28–ESV)
That is a thing only one man can say. Jesus died and rose again gaining from that authority over the ultimate things. Death and the resting place of souls are under the jurisdiction of Jesus. Fear has its place, and it also relates to Jesus.
Think back to the temptation of Christ
After the temptation had concluded Satan left him, and angels attended him. God met the needs of Jesus in his timing. Jesus did not do things his way, but waited upon the Lord.
Here in the first chapter of Revelation we see Jesus was piling on item after item in encouragement to John. Angels may have come to Christ, but Christ himself came to John. The point being that God provides what we need. We are to wait upon him. We are to look for reminders in the Holy Scripture and by faith believe, trust, wait no matter the circumstances. When tempted to doubt don’t. God has given us his precious promises and they will stand the test of both time and eternity. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. Seek to be among that number, foremost to honor God and then to gain the peace of the soul.
Summary points about John
- Probably the closest associate of Jesus, but was not exempted from falling before him.
- A man of faith, but was not exempted from testing.
- Not barred from the comforts of God after the testing.
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