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

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Extraordinary God!'
"Dear Child of God, What is your greatest need? Seems like a simple question, doesn't it? But when you look deeper, the events in the verses below..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Luke 24:45
"He whom we viewed last evening as opening Scripture, we here perceive opening the understanding. In the first work he has many fellow-labourers, but....."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 14:7
"Stay away from a foolish man,for you will not find knowledge on his lips."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'My Faith' (Ro. 4:22-25)
"Dear Father, our Savior, Thank you for Abraham's example of a faith credited as righteousness. And thank you that these words are written not only..."

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