Revelation 1:17-18 - "Do Not Be Afraid"

“And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. The Apostle John has just experienced a vision of the glorified, majestic Lord Jesus Christ as he is in exile on the Isle of Patmos. And what is his response? John was overcome with fear and he fell at the feet of Jesus as dead. We need to remember that this is the same John who walked, talked and lived with Jesus for three and a half years during His earthly ministry. This is the John who “leaned on the Savior’s breast” in John 13:23. A vision of the exalted Christ can only produce awe and fear. We need this attitude of respect today when so many believers speak and act with undue familiarity toward God. Daniel had the same experience when he had his vision of the Angel in Daniel 10:8-9. “Therefore I was left alone when I saw this great vision, and no strength remained in me; for my vigor was turned to frailty in me, and I retained no strength. Yet I heard the sound of his words; and while I heard the sound of his words I was in a deep sleep on my face, with my face to the ground.” And it was then that Daniel heard the words, “Do not fear” (v. 12) The Lord reassured John by touching him and speaking to him! Jesus laid His right hand on the John and told him not to be afraid! We live in a day of great fear! I remember when I was young and for the most part grew up in fairly large cities. I was born in Dallas Texas and lived my first ten years of life in that area. For the next ten years I lived in Wichita Kanas, Kansas City Missouri, and Cincinnati Ohio. I don’t ever remember locking the doors to our houses or even our churches. But today, it doesn’t matter where we live, we have to lock up everything! We live in fear someone still might break into our house and so now we have cameras and security systems both inside and outside of the house. We live in fear of the gangs, the child molesters, the drunk drivers, the corona virus, a heart attack or possible cancer. We now live in fear of a possible world war with Russia or China. We even live in fear of the corruption in our own government. We are not sure who to trust! Jesus said that in the last days that men’s hearts would be failing them because of fear! (Luke 21:26) But God’s message for His people is always prefaced with, “Fear not” or “Do not be afraid”. Remember Zachariah in Luke 1:13, when the angel appeared to him to announce the birth of John the Baptist, he heard, “Do not be afraid.” Mary was also told “Do not be afraid” in Luke 1:30. The shepherds were told “Do not be afraid” in Luke 2:10! Yes, over and over again in Scripture we are told not to fear! "Fear not!" is a great encouragement for any child of God. We need not fear life, because Jesus is "The Living One." Jesus said, “I am the first and the last, I am He Who lives”!  We need not fear death, because Jesus died and is alive, having conquered death. Jesus said, “I Am alive forevermore.” And we need not fear eternity because Jesus holds the keys of hades (the world of the dead) and of death. The One with the keys is the One who has authority. Two of my favorite verses that help me with my fears are: Isaiah 41:10 -  “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' 2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” The opposite of fear is faith! Today you can trust Jesus by faith and overcome your fears! God bless!