Son of man

Thursday July 15, 2021

Son of man

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as if dead. He then put his right hand on me saying : Do not be afraid. I am the first and the last, the living one. I was dead and behold, I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and hell. Revelation 1:17, 18

At the beginning of Revelation, John finds himself before the Lord clothed in the garments of his authority. The Lord comes on the scene to judge seven assemblies and then to judge the earth. The apostle is terrified, he falls as dead. This is why the Lord made three statements to reassure him.

I am the first and the last. The one who took the title of Son of man is also the Son of God, God himself, timeless, unchanging, even though he came among men as a man. It is the one who puts his right hand on John, saying to him : Do not be afraid. Could Jean still be afraid ? It is the same for us on whom the Lord has laid his hand to make us his redeemed.

I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever. Jesus entered death for us because of our sins, to pay the wages. He delivered us from them. It is because he has known death that he can say to mankind haunted by it, "Do not fear death. I broke his power and took away his sting, trust me."

But Jesus Christ was resurrected, He lives eternally in the power of an imperishable life (Hebrews 7:16). Christ is alive and the redeemed will experience the resurrection.

I hold the keys of death and of hell. Death is the door to the unknown for men. The keys are the symbol of authority. Those of the invisible world are in the hands of Christ who, therefore, holds the destiny of all men.

Why should we be afraid of dying since it is to enter heaven ? And it is the one who loves us who has the keys !

Source (Pleasing the Lord)