July 20 The Key Holder

Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
 
JESUS announced his eternal “freedom mission” when he began his ministry in his hometown Nazareth: Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” The King of the Kingdom of God had come to release a world imprisoned in sin and sickness.
              For some time now, our church has continually prayed for the release of a minister imprisoned in a country opposing Christ. His loved ones, church and each of us long to possess the key to open his cell door. We pray God will use a key in the Spirit’s power to release his suffering servant. The key to the cell door is a life link to free the prisoner.
              A key is also a tool to protect, isn’t it? Keys lock away harmful substances such as chemicals or sharp tools. Keys help protect our valued possessions, too.
              Even more, a key is a symbol of authority. In biblical times, a chief steward of a household often held a key to the food storehouses and household valuables. The household functioned under his authority. God also chooses certain people to be stewards over his “house”. Isaiah 22:22 I will place on his (the Messiahs) shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. And Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Heavenly authority comes to God’s anointed.
              Jesus is the Key Holder who comes with the keys of death and Hades to release you to eternal freedom and protection under his authority. All who believe will know he, indeed, has the power and authority to declare “freedom for the captives”. As Jesus has declared in Matthew 28:18 “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” he comes in that power. The Sovereign Lord is heaven’s Chief Steward. He is the First and Last. He is all in all. He will act in his power to purify and protect your eternal home.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for unlocking my life from sin’s chains, so I am securely with you. Amen.