Death is a mighty enemy. After this king of terror comes silently, without the last warning. Sometimes he snatches one or two in the prime of life, with the greatest of ease, as was displayed a few weeks ago in the death of two of our nations greatest young athletes. Both of those young men were strong, healthy, and full of expectation, with rich and fulfilling corners ahead of them. But death stepped in and took them away in an instant, one week and another the next. Then, just last week, the pale king of terror came again in utter silence, without warning. As thousands slept in the night a volcano spued out its gasses and death swept away an unsuspecting multitude. Even when this terrible enemy we call death announces his coming, most plainly and clearly, no mortal can withstand his power. How men struggle! What misery men will endure! It seems that men and women will endure any torment, no matter how costly or degrading to themselves or others, if there is the slightest hope of escaping the grip of death. You have not forgotten these pictures of William Schaerder, have you? Millions of dollars were expended. The best scientists and doctors in the world were at his side. The most elaborate medical facilities were at their disposal. Yet, that poor man could not be saved. Death had its hand around his throat! And soon this dreadful enemy will tap you on the shoulder, and me. Though we may struggle hard and long, we will not be able to resist him. Paul tells us, in Hebrews 2:15, that this enemy we call death holds the fallen sons of Adam in bondage and fear as long as they live.
This fear of death is most reasonable among men. After death, there is terror of hell. What can be more horrifying than hell? Endless torment! Unceasing agony! Eternal torture! In hell the worm of an awakened conscience, eating away at a man's soul, never dies. In hell the fire of God's wrath burning in a man's being shall not be quenched. Who can describe the torments of the damned? Who would dare even try? In hell your body and your soul shall forever suffer the wrath of almighty God! This is the second death. It is an eternal awareness of, but an eternal separation from all bliss, all comfort, all grace, and all mercy. Hell is to be forever banished from heaven, with heaven in plain view! Hell is to be forever banished from Christ, with Christ and his redeemed ones before your eyes! And from that place of torment none shall ever escape. Death and hell are the just rewards of sin.
Today, I want to point you to One who is sovereign over death and over hell. He has the power to deliver you from the fear of death and from the torment of hell. He is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the sinner's Substitute. He says, "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen." And as the result of his life, death, and resurrection as the God-man Mediator, our Savior declares, I "have the keys of hell and of death." Death, for us, is an unsurveyed land of darkness, before which we tremble. But Christ has explored and conquered that land; and as a sovereign King, he holds the key to the iron gates of death. Hell is a horrible region of terror, a kingdom of darkness, and an habitation of evil. But the Lord Jesus Christ sits King over hell as fully as he sits King in Zion. And those who trust him, he will deliver both from the fear of death and from the power of hell.
I rejoice to tell you that nothing in heaven alone, in the earth, or in hell beneath is out of control. The sovereign dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ extends to the whole of his vast creation. No province is beyond his rule. No man is free of his dominion. No power threatens him. Christ sits King upon the throne of universal dominion, and sovereignly rules everywhere. Nothing happens by chance. Nothing is free of Christ's dominion. The Lord has prepared his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Proposition:Our Savior's Sovereignty Over All Things Should Encourage Us To Trust Him In All Things And Not Be Afraid.
Divisions:My subject is CHRIST THE RULER OF DEATH AND HELL. Our Savior says, I "have the keys of hell and of death."
1. Who Has These Keys?
2. What Do The Keys Imply?
3. How Did Our Savior Obtain The Keys Of Hell And Of Death?
4. What Does Our Lord's Dominion Say To Us?
As you read this chapter you cannot help noticing that it lays particular stress upon the man Christ Jesus. He who holds the keys of hell and of death is one of us. John describes him as "one like unto the Son of man" (v. 13). He was not quite the same, because he is now glorified. But he is essentially the same now as he was when John laid his head upon his chest. We must never separate our Savior's manhood from his Godhood, nor his Godhood from his manhood. But this fact is full of hope and comfort to the fallen sons of Adam: He who rules the universe is a Man. He who has the keys of hell and death is a Man, the God-man, yes, and we rejoice in that, but still a Man, a Man like us, bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh. God has entrusted the dominion of the universe to the glorified Man – (Heb. 2:6-9; Phil. 2:9-11).
A. This Man established righteousness in the earth as the Federal Head and Representative of God's elect by his Obedience to the will of God – (Isa. 42:1-4, 21; Rom. 5:19).
B. This Man died under the penalty of the Law, satisfying Divine Justice, as the Substitute for His People (I Pet. 2:24; 3:18).
C. This Man arose in Triumph over the grave and Reigns in Glory as The Mediator – King of His Redeemed Ones – (Zech. 6:12-13).
D. This Man is the Hope of Men – (Isa. 32:1-2).Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into this world as a Man to save men. He received gifts for men. He intercedes for men. And he rules for me. Immanuel, God with us, is his name. And "Immanuel" means God is for us too. God became a man, that men might live by him (John 3:17). And now the Man – God holds the keys of hell and death, so that he might surely accomplish his purpose.
II. What Do The Keys Imply?Keys represent ownership, dominion, authority, and control. The man who carries the keys is the one in charge. The picture of Christ with the keys of hell and death is intended to show us that the Lord Jesus Christ has the rightful and actual dominion over death and hell. He actually rules death and hell. Unto him belong the issues of death. And he rules even the chambers of hell. So absolutely does Jesus Christ rule that even the devices of Satan are subject to him. They are either restrained by him, or they are overruled by him to serve his own glorious purpose. The keys of hell and death in the hands of our Savior say, "Christ is supreme, Lord, King, and sovereign Ruler of all things. His dominion extends over all the universe, even over death and hell. Either willingly or unwillingly, all things serve him."
NOTE: I should say here that the word translated "hell" is "hades". That includes the region of the lost and the place of the damned. But it is not limited to that alone. Includes both heaven and hell. It refers to the abode of departed spirits, either in bliss or in torment. Our Lord Jesus Christ is King in heaven, king in hell, and King in death.
A. Christ Our Lord Holds The Keys Of Death – (Ps. 68:18-20).As our Savior is sovereign over the lives of men, he is also sovereign over the deaths of men. All men live and all men die by the will of Christ and by the hand of Christ – (I Sam. 2:6).
1. Christ takes men and women out of this world when he pleases. (Acts 5:1-11 – Ananias and Sapphira) – And the hour of your death is already appointed.
NOTE: None live beyond their time; and none die before their time – This fact is comforting to all who believe. We sing with joy.
But for every rebel this is a word of warning. Your day is marked. God has set a day and prepared the instrument by which you shall be slain.
2. If Christ is pleased to do so, he has the power to deliver his own elect from death's grip, when it appears that death will surely take them –
NOTE: It is yet true today. Christ has power to raise men up from the very jaws of death – (James 5:14-15).
3. And our Lord Jesus Christ will raise the dead to life again in the last day – (John 5:25-28).
B. Our Lord Jesus Christ Holds The Keys Of Heaven Too – (John 14:1-6).
Jesus is the Lord of heaven. He has gone to prepare a place for you. When your place is ready, he will come for you and call you home.
1. Christ Jesus will open those gates of pearl and lead you into the heavenly city – His key opens the door.
2. Once he has let you into the city, he will shut you in, even as Noah was shut in the ark – His key bolts the door.
NOTE: When he shuts us in, he will shut all our troubles out, forever, – (Rev. 21:4-6).
3. And Christ our Lord sovereignly rules over heaven's vast domain as Lord and King.
a. He rules among his redeemed ones – Those glorified spirits of the redeemed serve King Jesus perfectly.
b. He rules among all the heavenly angels – (Heb. 1:14).
Satan is a bound slave of King Jesus, An oarsman in the ship of Divine Providence, a beast which Christ has harnessed to accomplish his purpose.
Do you see how these keys represent the sovereignty and dominion of our Lord Jesus Christ? He is King over death, King over heaven, and King over hell. There is no province where Christ does not rule. But –
III. How Did Christ Get Those Keys? How did this man Christ Jesus obtain the keys of hell and of death? Where did he get such power, authority, and dominion.
A. It is certainly true that Christ Holds The Keys of Hell and of Death By Right As God.
There can be no dispute about this. Since Christ is God, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, he is the Owner of all things in heaven, earth, and hell. God has the right to do whatever he will – (Ps. 135:6). And God always does precisely what he will.
B. But This Man Christ Jesus Holds The Keys of Hell and Death By Right Of His Mighty Conquests As Our Mediator And Representative – (John 17:1-5; Isa. 53:10-12; Ps. 89:19-24, 27).
In order for this Man to assume the throne of universal dominion, in order for him to be seated upon the throne of God, he had to make certain conquests as a man. At every point where the first Adam was defeated Christ, the second Adam, must be triumphant.
7 things.
1. This Man had to endure and prevail over the temptations of the devil – (Matt. 4:1).
2. This Man had to establish righteousness in the earth by obeying the law, both the letter of the law and the spirit of the law – (Rom. 5:18-19).
3. This Man had to overcome the weakness and frailty of this body of flesh – (Luke 22:42-44; Heb. 5:7). "He learned obedience."
4. This Man had to be made sin and satisfy the demands of justice against sin, so that he might save his people from their sins – (Ga. 3:13).
5. This Man had to rise from the dead in triumph –(Ps. 16:9-11).
6. It is this Man who now reigns as King over hell and death to save his people – (John 17:2).
7. And this Man shall yet conquer – (Isa. 45:20-25).
NOTE: This Man, Christ Jesus holds the keys of hell and death as the reward of what he has done as the Mediator and Surety of the everlasting covenant.
IV. What Does Our Lord's Dominion Say To Us?Our Lord says, "I have the keys of hell and of death." John Gill wrote, "This is an expression of the sovereignty, power, and authority of Christ; and is designed to encourage and support [the believer] in his present concern and anxiety of mind." Our Savior had laid his hands upon John, and said, "Fear not." And this is what he said to quieten John's fears – "I have the keys of hell and of death." Now, I say to you, Behold the sovereign Christ, with the keys of death and hell in his hands, and be not afraid.
A. Fear Not The Troubles And Trials of Life – Christ is still on his throne. All is well.
B. Fear Not The Powers of Hell – Satan cannot harm you.
C. Fear Not The Valley of The Shadow of Death – Christ will see you through.
D. Fear Not The Unseen World of Eternity – You are only going home.
1. Let us worship him who has the keys of hell and of death.
2. If you are a rebel against this sovereign King, you have every reason to fear.
3. Bow to Christ, believe Christ, and you shall be saved.
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