Day 40: I Hold The Keys
Naomi Brown (Revelation 1:12–18)
As we come to the end of our 40-day devotionals, what a journey it has been as we have unpacked and reflected on the Easter story—what Jesus did and those around Him’s reactions to what happened. My prayer is that as you have gone on this journey, you have had fresh revelation of who He is, what He has done, and the way it changed the world.
The God we serve, who sent His only Son to die on the cross so that we might have eternal life, that we have been forgiven, that we don’t have to live under the law but under grace instead—the freedom, the victory that is ours—all because of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice. Lord, may we never lose the wonder of the moment that changed everything.
In Revelation, we read this epic portion ‘’I turned around to see the voice that was speaking to me. And when I turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. The hair on his head was white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance. 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. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.’’
Jesus holds the keys of death and Hades. He defeated death; death no longer has the final say. I love to picture the moment the enemy thinks he’s actually won, that Jesus was really defeated on the cross. I don’t know exactly how this moment played out, but you know, in The Return of the King, when Gollum finally gets the ring back? For a very short moment, he looks almost in shock that it’s finally his, his plan has worked, and he jumps around. But spoiler alert—that doesn’t last long, and he and the ring are defeated. That’s how I picture it, then Jesus is like, “Sike! I hold the keys to death and Hades. That stone that was sealed has been moved—for good.”
John 11:25
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies.”
Romans 6:9
For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57
“Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” / The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. / But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!
King Jesus, who defeated death, who made a way where there was no other way. The one who tore the veil so that there was no more separation. We can live in freedom and victory, and also have eternal life through Jesus. Wow, no more separation! How much would our lives change if we really lived with that veil torn? If we really stepped over that threshold—not just taking a peek, or looking through, or marvelling from a distance at what He did, but truly stepped through, claiming the gift that we have been given: the fullness of life.
No more sin or shame needing to separate us, but the confidence that we are children of God, that we are His, we are part of His family—He made it that way. What if we realised that when He said, “It is finished,” He really meant it?
Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?
Activation
Take a moment to find a quiet space. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Allow your mind and body to settle, letting go of distractions and the noise of the day.
Now, imagine Jesus before you, as He is described in Revelation: His eyes blaze like fire, full of authority, purity, and love. His hair is white like wool. He is dressed in a robe that flows down to His feet, with a golden sash across His chest. His feet shine like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice flows over you like rushing waters.
Spend a few moments simply looking into His eyes.
Take your journal and write down anything that comes to mind—thoughts, prayers, words, or emotions.