Freedom from Death
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Death has received a lot of attention in our world, historically. This is still true today. Death has been depicted as the dark, cloaked figure of the “Grim Reaper.” Death is the reason for elaborate and specific rituals in some cultures, and it is the cause of many strong emotions, such as fear, sorrow, and despair.
The threat of death can be a strong motivational influence in our lives. People have exhibited seeming superhuman strength in “life or death” moments. Soldiers have fought the enemy with overpowering ferocity when the alternative is certain death. We have probably all heard about people who have made drastic life changes after their bad choices nearly ended their life. Their brush with death was the motivation they needed to change course.
Death is a central figure in the observation of the Easter holiday as well. Without death, there could be no pardon for sins. Without death, there could be no resurrection.
For sinners without Christ, death is judgment; it is the end. In the loving and powerful hands of the Saviour, however, we might say that death fulfills a wonderful purpose. Instead of it being the end, death becomes the beginning!
Today, as we observe Easter—or Resurrection Day, as I prefer to think of it—I want us to meditate on what the Lord Jesus Christ has obtained and made available to all mankind: Freedom from Death.
PRAYER
I. Jesus Christ’s Revealed Glory
I. Jesus Christ’s Revealed Glory
The Apostle John was privileged to see Jesus Christ as few humans have been. We read his words describing what he saw of Jesus Christ in His Heavenly glory in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:1-16
Verse 13: “One like unto the Son of man...” John recognized Christ, but he had never seen Him like this before! John was seeing the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, not just the human form of Jesus the man.
Friend, what you believe about Jesus Christ makes an infinite difference in your eternity. I think it’s accurate to say that the vast majority of people believe that Jesus was a good man. Sadly, those who believe that that’s ALL He is will be judged for all eternity for their sin.
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
Jesus Christ was not just a good man or prophet. He IS the Son of God. He is God. Everything He said was true, and is true. He is the LORD Jesus Christ. The Apostle John saw this over and over again.
John 1:9-14
John saw the Light of the world in His glory: “the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” Jesus Christ has the glory of God. He IS God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
There are perhaps billions of people around the world today who are considering Jesus Christ in their Easter observations. They accept that He rose from the grave. They say they believe in Him. But when we read how the Bible reveals His glory, we see that He is the Living Saviour! He is not merely some religion’s founder who tried to influence His followers to do good. He is God in the flesh, who came to save sinners from the damnation of Hell. He came and lived and was crucified. He died, and was buried. But after three days and three nights He rose from the dead, and He is alive today.
Friend, Jesus Christ has revealed Himself. We have “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” We have the Gospels. Every person has the witness of God in their heart. The glory of God is revealed in the created world all around us. The power and glory of Jesus Christ is readily visible and recognizable if we are willing. The apostle John was extraordinarily privileged to see the glorified Christ with his eyes, but we may read his Holy Spirit-inspired words about his vision. Christ has revealed Himself to us. Will we believe what He has said? Will we accept and trust what God the Son has told us?
II. Jesus Christ’s Abundant Goodness
II. Jesus Christ’s Abundant Goodness
Thankfully, Christ’s power and glory are not the only remarkable things about Him!
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
When John saw Christ’s glory, he instantly fell down at Jesus’ feet. This wasn’t a reluctant decision to show Christ some respect, as any good apostle would do. This was an involuntary, irresistible response to the glory of God! One day, every single human being will do this.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This hasn’t happened yet. Not every knee has bowed to Christ. Many people resist Him and blaspheme Him. Many mock Him and deny God’s very existence. But one day everyone will bow to Him, and confess that He is Lord!
Jesus Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is God, whether people believe in Him or not. Their skepticism does not rob Him of His lordship or His power. Nor does it diminish His grace and goodness. Notice His words to John’s response:
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
He is a personal God
He laid His hand on John, and spoke to Him. These are very personal gestures!
He is a concerned God
“Fear not” — concerned that I love and reverence and obey Him, not dread Him
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob,
And he that formed thee, O Israel,
Fear not: for I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
“I am the first and last” — concerned that I know who He is
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
He is a benevolent God
“He laid his right hand upon me...” This shows favor and blessing. The right hand signifies power and authority!
This is not an example of a domineering God condescending to cast a few pennies to the peasants! He is a loving and gracious God who is looking for reasons to show us divine favor. And as we’ll see, He has shown it.
III. Jesus Christ’s Free Gift
III. Jesus Christ’s Free Gift
A. Christ’s credentials
A. Christ’s credentials
George C. Parker was an American con man who worked in New York in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. He is known for taking advantage of naive immigrants and tourists by selling them land, buildings and monuments that he never owned. His most famous con was selling the Brooklyn Bridge to eager investors for as much as $50,000. His notorious scam gave rise to the phrase, "If you believe that, I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you."
Before buying something on a large scale like land or buildings, it’s important to verify that the seller owns it. This can apply to receiving a gift as well. I could generously give you a brand-new yacht, but unless I was capable of owning a yacht, I could never give one away! You might appreciate my desire to give you a yacht, but you would not get too excited about the gift if you knew I could not deliver it.
But Jesus Christ is not a con man. He does not make promises He cannot keep. And He does not offer gifts that He cannot give. Notice His credentials in Revelation 1:18.
Revelation 1:18 (KJV 1900)
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen.
He has defeated death
“I am he that…was dead; and, behold, I am alive...” Friend, don’t trust in your good works to get you to Heaven. Your own power and abilities cannot defeat an enemy like death! You haven’t the credentials.
He is eternal
“I am alive for evermore.” Neither you nor I have the ability to say this! We don’t have the power to keep our heart beating or our lungs working for another minute. We cannot preserve our own life.
He is God
“I am he that liveth...” Grammatically, this is an odd progression! (Liveth -> Dead -> Alive) Not “lived.” His physical body was dead, but He has never stopped being God. His crucifixion and burial didn’t change His deity!
Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
These things are true
Amen: truly; verily.
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
B. Christ’s charity
B. Christ’s charity
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
Why would the Lord mention that He has these keys of hell and death? Of course, because He plans to use them for our benefit! I’m reminded of John 3:16.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Perish: to die. (From Latin pereo: to go; literally, to depart wholly.)
He who controls the keys for locked and secured places, controls access to those places. Christ doesn’t need to use these keys in order for people to go to Hell. That is settled already.
From the way this verse is constructed, we see that “not perish” is not the default outcome; it is the exception to the rule. The sad truth is that most people will perish. They are lost, and they will be destroyed. They will die, because most people do not believe on the only begotten Son of God. Most people do not have freedom from death.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
These keys that Christ has are used now to set people free from the condemnation of Hell! Christ defeated death, and He uses these keys to offer us freedom from death!
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
C. Christ’s call
C. Christ’s call
Christ obtained some things for us when He rose from the dead!
Justification and peace with God
Romans 4:19-5:2
A home in Heaven
1 Cor. 15:50-57
Freedom from sin and death
John 8:31-36
Has God justified you? Do you have peace with Him in your soul? Has He guaranteed you a home in Heaven? Has He given you freedom from sin and eternal death?
The Lord Jesus Christ has revealed His glory for all to see. He has told us of His abundant goodness in coming to Earth to die for man’s sin. He has offered the gift of eternal life, and has proven His ability to give it. He has the keys of death and hell. He wants to give freedom from death to all sinners. And He is still inviting all who will come.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.
John the Baptist said it well in John 1:29.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
If you have not come to Jesus Christ in faith, repenting of your sins, you are still condemned. You are not free in this life, and you will not be free after you die. But Jesus Christ came to free you from sin and judgment, and from death. He has the keys of death and Hell. He rose from the dead and won the freedom that He now offers to you. Are you free today?
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
