I Am He Who Lives and Was Dead,
and Behold I Am Alive Forevermore!

"I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." (1) In this verse Jesus is revealing Himself to John as the One who lives, who was dead, who is alive forever, and who has the keys of Hades and Death.

Our Creator has revealed Himself to us throughout the Scriptures from the book of Genesis to Revelation. It was Christ Himself who instructed John to "Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this." (2)

From the beginning to the end, all Scripture reveals the Presence of an awesome Intelligence that tells us like it is; where we came from, why we're here, and where we are going. We are reminded that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" and is "able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." (3)

The Scriptures reveal the controversy that began in a place other than earth, "And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

"Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…

" 'Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that his time is short.' " (4)

Here in a nutshell, so to speak, is a revelation of why there is so much suffering, confusion and chaos in the world today. We are caught in the midst of a war between Spiritual forces of one power against another. Revelation characterizes this controversy as between Michael and His angels and "the dragon and his angels".

In summary the conflict of the ages is revealed to John and he shares with us the great controversy between Christ and Satan in heaven which was transferred to this earth. "The dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

Is there any wonder that there is so much conflict and confusion in the world today. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day." (5)

Ours is a spiritual battle between the forces of our Creator and His enemy. We are at stake. And we make the choice as to which side of this conflict we choose. We either believe what God and Jesus Christ have revealed to us in Scripture and in our heart, or we ignore it, or consciously choose the side of the enemy. The Revelation tells us of the end of this conflict. It is up to us to decide which side of the conflict we will choose.

Eternal life resides with the lifegiver, the One who is in possession of the keys of Hades (the abode of the dead) and Death. Those who overcome the evil one, "the accuser of our brethren," we are reminded "overcame him by the blood of the Lamb." (6)

It is by the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross of Calvary for every man and woman who ever lived, that those who have yielded their hearts to be led by His Spirit, those who are born of God, will have everlasting life. (7)

With hearts cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus, and in full consciousness of His Presence and power, although unseen, we claim His promises to us, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; with lovingkindness I have drawn you." (8) "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (9)

"Under conviction of sin, remember that I died for you. When oppressed and persecuted and afflicted for My sake and the gospel's, remember My love, so great that for you I gave My life. When your duties appear stern and severe, and your burdens too heavy to bear, remember that for your sake I endured the cross, despising the shame. When your heart shrinks from the trying ordeal, remember that your Redeemer lives to make intercession for you." (10)

"I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

1. Revelation 1:18.
2. Revelation 1:19.
3. 2 Timothy 3:16, 15.
4. Revelation 12:7-12.
5. Ephesians 6:12, 13.
6. Revelation 12:10, 11.
7. John 1:12, 13; 3:5, 6; 17:3.
8. Jeremiah 31:3.
9. 1 John 3:1.
10. Desire of Ages, 659.