Holds The Keys!

I have been in two federal penitentiaries and two county jails. No, I was not there as a prisoner, but as a visitor. Walking within the walls of those places, I was behind not one, but several sets of locked doors. I could not have gotten out on my own any more than those who were imprisoned there. However, I was not afraid. I knew that when it was time to leave I would be able to do so. I WALKED WITH the one who had the keys.

At times we may feel the confines of this life. Do we allow those limitations to unsettle us? Do we sometimes sense we are as much a “prisoner” of the struggles of this life as those who do not acknowledge God? Do we forget we are NOT WALKING ALONE?

As John was exiled on the island of Patmos ( Revelation 1:9), he had a vision. Many encouraging things were revealed to him, of which he was to write down so that his readers could be blessed by what he recorded. ( Revelation 1:3) We may not understand all the images in this writing of John, but as we read through the pages of this letter we should not come away with great fear, but rather the encouragement of the victorious overcoming that is ours in WALKING WITH CHRIST.

As Jesus revealed Himself to John we read…
“(17) When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, (18) and the living one. I DIED, and BEHOLD I AM ALIVE FOREVERMORE, and I HAVE THE KEYS OF DEATH AND HADES.” ( Revelation 1:17-18)

John may have been exiled, but he knew the One who held the keys. As Jesus was once dead and then raised to life -- death no longer having dominion or mastery over Him ( Romans 6:9) -- He holds that same assurance for us. Jesus holds the authority and power over death and its realm. The last enemy to be destroyed is death ( 1 Corinthians 15:26) and as we WALK WITH the One who holds the keys, the fear of death ( Hebrews 2:15) can be removed because of the blessed eternity that awaits us. May we continue our WALK WITH HIM.

Have a great day WALKING FREE WITH CHRIST!
Carl

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