"....Do not be afraid I am the First and the Last.  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: ( Rev.1:17)

Jesus Christ came to free us from the fear of Satan, sin and death.  

Jesus gives us three reasons why we should not fear:

JESUS IS LORD OF LIFE:

" I am the Living One", says the Lord.  Life presents its own fears and stresses.  The fear of failure and even success can keep us awake at nights.  Then there are the mysteries of life that keep us afraid - sin, sorrow, strange and difficult situations etc.

To all these fears in life Jesus says " I am the Living One".

JESUS IS THE CONQUEROR OF DEATH:

" I was dead and behold I am alive forever and ever", says the Lord.

Death is the final enemy of man.  Yet countless numbers of believers have experienced the unusual calm and confidence as they faced their last moments on earth.  They experienced the words of the song:

"There'll be no dark valley when Jesus comes, to gather His children home".

Jesus gives a promise to those who know Him personally:

He who believes in me will live, even through he dies..." (John 11:25).

JESUS IS THE GATEWAY TO ETERNITY:

"...I hold the keys of death and Hades" says the Lord.

Just before the cross, Jesus prayed to the Father, "For you granted Him (Jesus) authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those you have given Him..." (John 17:2)

All those who respond to the Father's love are given to Jesus Christ so that Jesus may grant them eternal life.

Jesus bids us not to fear life, death or eternity.  No one else can do that.  Let us respond to Him - the Lord of Life, Conqueror of Death and Gateway to Eternity.

Shalom!

Jonathan James.