March 24, 2004

THE LIVING ONE

"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" (Revelation 1:18, NIV).

This hope-inspiring declaration of Christ to the aging prophet of Patmos resonates with certitude. This is certainly the most sublime of all the "I am" titles of Jesus. It is a dramatic announcement to the universe that death and Hades have been decisively vanquished forever.

The One who makes this heart-stirring declaration has all the authority to do so because He became the keeper of the keys of death and hell (see Revelation 1;18). What a graphic picture of Christ's triumph over death! The verb form used here denotes continuous, self-perpetuating life. The Living One is none other than the One of whom John wrote, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). The Living One is the life-giver Himself. "In Christ is life, original, unborrowed, underived."--The Desire of Ages, p. 530.

The message of the Living One is that in spite of His voluntary death for our redemption, He continues His self-perpetuating life because He is God, the Living One. As the hymn says: "He lives! He Lives! Christ Jesus lives today." Not only does He live in our hearts, He lives in person at the Father's right hand. The Living One is our living intercessor. He who became dead is alive forevermore, so that we who were dead in sin might ultimately live forever with Him.

This is abundant reason for jubilation. Our wonderful Saviour is the Living One who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (see 2 Timothy 1:10). Because He lives, we too will live (see John 14:19). How wonderful to know that, "the divinity of Christ is the believer's assurance of eternal life."--The Desire of Ages, p. 530.

My Prayer Today: Lord, How can I ever praise You enough for the gift of eternal life? Because You live, I too shall live. Amen.