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 “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 with the key of salvation to release a world shackled in sin and sickness.
    At one point, our church continually prayed for the release of a minister jailed in a country opposing Christ. His loved ones, church and each of us longed to possess the key to open his jail cell door. We prayed God would use a key in the Spirit’s power to release his suffering servant. The key to the cell door was a life link to free the prisoner. We praise God he set the prisoner free!
    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. The home owner has the key to his house. A chief steward of a household often holds a key to the food storehouses and household valuables. The household functions under his authority. God chose his Son to steward his “house”. Isaiah 22:22 I will place on his (the Messiah’s) shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. Jesus also had the authority to give the keys’ power to the apostles 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.” Jesus transferred some of Heaven’s authority to God’s anointed. They would possess the key to steward the church with the gospel of redemption to unlock imprisoned souls to salvation.
    Jesus is the Key Holder. He comes with the keys to death and Hades to release you to eternal freedom and protection under his authority. All who believe will know he, indeed, has the power to declare freedom for the captives: Matthew 28:18 “All authority in Heaven and on earth has been given to me.” he has come 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. You are the Chief Steward of my life. Amen.