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

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Putting It in Context' (Ac. 4:25)
"[Disciples praying to the Lord after Peter and John were released from jail:] "You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The Turnaround' (Acts 9:19-22)
"[After he was baptized,] Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues,..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'I Will Not be Shaken' (Ps. 62:5-7)
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Ecclesiastes 11:5
"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things."

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