Revelation

Revelation 1: Jesus is alive forever

Begin in prayer

Before hearing the risen Lord speak to John on Patmos, ask God to show your family who holds the keys of Death and Hades. Ask Him to help you hear and keep His Word, and to see the Savior who lives forever.

“With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.

Job 12:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us Jesus, who was dead and is alive forever. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

John writes from Patmos to seven churches in Asia, sharing their oppression and perseverance in Jesus. He praises Jesus as the risen ruler who loves His people, washes away their sins by His blood, and makes them priests. This Lord will come with the clouds, when every eye will see Him and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. John then sees Him among seven golden lamp stands, with a face shining like the sun. When John falls at His feet like a dead man, Jesus lays His right hand on him and tells him not to fear. The Lord who died now lives forever and holds the keys of Death and Hades.

As you read Revelation 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Jesus was dead, but He is alive forever, and He holds the keys of Death and Hades.

The churches hear from a brother suffering for the same Word and testimony they hold, so this comfort comes into real oppression. Revelation means an unveiling, and Christ gives this message to be read, heard and kept. His title as firstborn of the dead means His resurrection brings the promise of life to those who belong to Him. Even the kings who threaten His churches are beneath His rule. The lamp stands are the churches, and the glorious Son of Man stands among them rather than leaving them alone. His searching eyes and the sword from His mouth show the authority of His judgment and Word. That glory overwhelms John, yet the hand that holds the stars reaches down to steady him. Keys mean authority to open and shut, so the place of the dead is under the risen Lord's command.

How does Revelation 1 show us that Jesus was dead, is alive forever, and holds the keys of Death and Hades?

Jesus died and now lives forever as Lord over death.

The One John sees names Himself the first and the last, a title that belongs to God (verses 17 and 18). His death was real, and His risen life will never end. The keys of Death and Hades show His authority over the place of the dead.

Jesus rules the kings and will come for every eye to see.

Jesus is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and ruler of the earth's kings (verse 5). John shares the churches' oppression because of God's Word and Jesus' testimony (verse 9). Their suffering has not removed their King from His throne. He will come with clouds, every eye will see Him, and all the earth's tribes will mourn (verse 7).

The glorious Jesus stands among His churches and speaks with authority.

Jesus explains that the seven golden lamp stands are the seven churches (verse 20). He stands among them with eyes like fire and a voice like many waters (verses 13 to 15). The sword comes from His mouth, showing the power of His Word (verse 16). The churches must hear and keep this prophecy, for the time is at hand (verse 3).

Jesus loves His people and cleanses them through His death.

The greeting turns into praise for Jesus, who loves His people and washed them from sin by His blood (verse 5). Their cleansing comes through His death. He has made them a Kingdom and priests to His God and Father (verse 6). Those He cleanses belong to His rule and draw near to God in worship.

Memorise

I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

Revelation 1:18

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I come to the living Jesus and ask Him to wash my sin away?

John fell at the feet of the Lord like a dead man. Jesus laid His right hand on him and said, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last, and the Living one.” Then He said, “I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever more.”

Why was Jesus dead? He died on the cross for His people. John wrote to those who belong to Jesus, and he says that Jesus “washed us from our sins by his blood.” In their place Jesus took the punishment their sin deserved. That payment is full, and no one can add to it. Then He rose to life, and now He holds the keys of Death and of Hades.

So come to Him. Do not wait for the day when every eye will see Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Whoever turns to Him finds forgiveness, and Death cannot keep that person, because Jesus holds the keys. He is the Living one, and He is alive forever.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus died and is alive forever, and that He is Lord over Death. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Parents, John saw this in a vision, and verse 20 explains the stars and the lamp stands.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that Jesus is alive forever, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:14

Lord Jesus, thank You that You died and are alive forever. Thank You that You hold the keys of Death and of Hades. Please turn our hearts from sin to You, and teach us to trust You. Wash us clean, and help us to look to You this week. Amen.