Spiritual Warfare: 'Jesus Holds the Keys to Death and Hell'

God's Power for Our Battles — Sunday, August 2, 2026

When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person. But he put his right hand on me and said: “Don’t be afraid! I am the first, the last, and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead.’
— Revelation 1:17-18 CEV

Today's Prayer

Lord, I praise You as the first and the last, and as the One who was once dead but now is alive and well and sitting at the right hand of God. You are the One who gives us all the victory over death and the grave that we so desperately need! You are Lord over life and death, and You even possess the keys to lock death away forever in eternal hell. I look forward to the day, Lord, when death is no longer a threat, but a distant memory of the time before life rules forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

To Philadelphia: 'I Possess the Key'
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Faithful One, My letter to My followers in the ancient city of "brotherly love" — the meaning of the word Philadelphia — is for you...."
Jesus Holds the Keys
Article by Tim Archer
Don't worry about that scary door… Jesus holds the keys! Christians need not fear death or what comes after. Jesus was dead and is now alive and can free us from the fear of death.
Death
Article by Tim Archer
Who's afraid of the big bad grave? The fear of death is instinctive, but Jesus came to free us from living as slaves to that fear
How Big Is Our Aquarium?
Article by Phil Ware
Why do we have to be the big fish in our small puddle? Phil Ware looks through The Jesus Window and is led to ask a question of all of us: just how big is our aquarium, just how big is our Jesus?
See All 5 Related Resources about Revelation 1:17-18

Illustration

Illustration of Revelation 1:17-18 CEV — When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead person. But he put his right hand on me and said: “Don’t be afraid! I am the first, the last, and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead.’

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, August 2, 2026

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Do Whatever He Tells You!' (Jn. 2:5-8)
"But [Jesus'] mother told the servants [at a wedding celebration when the wine ran out], "Do whatever he tells you." Standing nearby were six..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 138:5
"The time when Christians begin to sing in the ways of the Lord is when they first lose their burden at the foot of the Cross. Not even the songs of..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Coming Glory' (Ro. 8:15)
"Dear Father, creator and re-creator of the world, Whatever I may have to suffer is nothing compared to the glory you will reveal in your people, and...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 14:15
"A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.

More Spiritual Warfare