The Keys of Hell and of Death - 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.” (Revelation 1:18 KJV)
There are churches and religions that claim they have “the keys of hell and of death;” however, only Jesus Christ has “the keys of hell and of death.” Jesus Christ holds the keys and only He has the power to control who enters and who does not enter. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death” (Revelation 20:14 KJV).
What is the second death? I am glad you asked. Every man (woman) will experience death which is physical death and that is the first death; however, not everyone will experience the second death which is spiritual death. Jesus Christ is very clear in John chapter three that a person must be “born again.” “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3 KJV). “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:7 KJV). In the context of John 3, Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus who is a religious man and he was not saved. Jesus is saying to Nicodemus that “your religion is not sufficient” and you need to be “born from above.” Every person will either be “born once and die twice” or “born twice and die once.” Which category do you choose? “Born once and die twice” is born a physical birth, die a physical death and die a spiritual death (not born again). Born twice and die once is born a physical birth, born a spiritual birth (born again -receive Jesus Christ alone for salvation) and only die a physical death. There is life after this life and you will experience it in one of two places: eternally together with Jesus Christ or eternally separated from Jesus Christ.
How is a person born again? I am glad you asked. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.” (I Peter 1:23-25 KJV) Individuals are born again when they believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (I Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV).
If you have not believed, what is stopping you right now from believing? Believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, burial, and resurrection and receive the greatest gift ever which is eternal life. Eternal life does not start when you die, eternal life starts the very second you believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Why not trust in Jesus Christ today for salvation. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18 KJV)
Jesus Christ loves you so much that He already died for all of your sin (past present future); He has died and resurrected to meet you. If you do not believe in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, you will experience a Second Death and be cast into the lake of fire for all eternity because Jesus Christ has the keys to Hell and Death. Believe Jesus Christ died on the Cross for your sins, burial, and resurrection and know you will never go to Hell or experience a Second Death. “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18 KJV) The gates of Hell cannot prevail against the Gospel of Jesus Christ for it is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that gives you eternal life, spiritual life, born again, born of the Most High, child of the King, and become a child of God. Reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ and experience a Second Death which is eternally separated from our God the Father and Jesus Christ. “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (II Thessalonians 1:8-9 KJV). Knowing you rejected the only way to Heaven is the “worm that never dieth” because you are forever reminded for all eternity that you rejected the Savior: “Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44 KJV).
Jesus Christ has the keys to escape Hell and the Second Death and the only way to receive this freedom is trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 KJV). “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6 KJV). “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31 KJV).
If you know someone who is not saved, forward this message to them and share the greatest gift that one could ever receive.
Lance Edminster
The Good News Voice
Email: thegoodnewsvoice@gmail.com
Once Saved, Always Saved -"And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one." (John 10:28-30 KJV)