Revelation 1:12-20: a reflection

12I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. Having turned, I saw seven golden lamp stands. 13And among the lamp stands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest. 14His head and his hair were white as white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire. 15His feet were like burnished brass, as if it had been refined in a furnace. His voice was like the voice of many waters. 16He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. 17When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, 18and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. 19Write therefore the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will happen hereafter. 20The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lamp stands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven assemblies. The seven lamp stands are seven assemblies.

When John sees the risen Christ in overwhelming glory, he falls at his feet as though dead; but Christ lays his hand on him and speaks words that turn fear to hope. Don't be afraid, he says. I am the first and the last, and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. The Christ who stands before John is the one who died and rose, who lives forever, and who holds the keys of death itself. Death is not the master; Christ is, holding its keys, having conquered it. Because Christ holds the keys of death, his people need not fear it.

Notice what Christ declares: I was dead, and am alive forever, and I hold the keys of Death and Hades. Death is not an unconquered power, an unlocked door with no master; Christ has conquered it, passing through it into everlasting life, and now holds its very keys. He is the living one who was dead and lives forevermore; death could not hold him, and he holds its keys. Because Christ holds the keys of death, death is under his authority, not ours to fear as an unconquered master. The one who conquered death and holds its keys tells his people not to be afraid; death has met its master in Christ, who lives forever and holds its keys.

That is worth resting in, for Christ holds the keys of death, having conquered it, so we need not fear it. We fear death as an unconquered power, a door we cannot escape, a master over us; but Christ, who died and lives forever, holds the keys of death, having conquered it. Death is under Christ's authority, not an unmastered power to be feared. Because he holds its keys, we who are his need not fear death. When you fear death, remember that Christ holds its keys, having conquered it and risen to live forever; do not be afraid. Do not fear death, for Christ, the living one who was dead and is alive forevermore, holds the keys of Death and Hades, having conquered it, as he told John not to be afraid; for death is not an unconquered master but is under the authority of Christ, who holds its keys, and those who are his need not fear the death he has conquered.

Lord Jesus, when John sees you, the risen Christ, in overwhelming glory, he falls at your feet as though dead; but you lay your hand on him and speak words that turn fear to hope. Don't be afraid, you say. I am the first and the last, and the Living one; I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever; I have the keys of Death and of Hades. You are the one who died and rose, who lives forever, and who holds the keys of death itself. Death is not the master; you are, holding its keys, having conquered it. Show me what you declare: I was dead, and am alive forever, and I hold the keys of Death and Hades. Death is not an unconquered power; you have conquered it, passing through it into everlasting life, and now hold its very keys. You are the living one who was dead and lives forevermore; death could not hold you, and you hold its keys. Because you hold the keys of death, death is under your authority, not mine to fear as an unconquered master. Let me rest in that, for you hold the keys of death, having conquered it, so I need not fear it. I fear death as an unconquered power, a door I cannot escape, a master over me; but you, who died and live forever, hold the keys of death. Death is under your authority. Because you hold its keys, I who am yours need not fear death. When I fear death, help me remember that you hold its keys, having conquered it and risen to live forever, Lord; and help me not be afraid.