“Since the children, as He calls them, are people of flesh and blood, Jesus Himself became like them and shared their human nature. He did this so that through His death He might destroy the Devil, who has the power over death,” (Hebrews 2:14)
When Jesus appeared to John who was exiled to the Island of Patmos, He said exactly Who He was. There was no mistake on John’s part about who it was that appeared to him. Jesus didn’t look the same. “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks One like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and His hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and His eyes were as a flame of fire; And His feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and His voice as the sound of many waters. And He had in His right hand seven stars: and out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength.” (Revelation 1:12-16 KJV) This is nothing like the paintings of Jesus. Even the scientific reproductions of what Jesus looked while He walked on earth don’t compare to His appearance now in the heavens.
Paul tells us in Hebrews 2:14 that by His death, Jesus destroyed the devil who had power of death. But Jesus not only destroyed the devil but has taken the keys and authority over death and hell. “I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead.” (Revelation 1:18) In the Good News Bible it states, “over death and the world of the dead,” but in the KJV it reads, “the keys of hell and death.” It’s important to understand that it means the same. When Jesus in His human body died, He went to hell, but was resurrected, conquering death. “For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but made alive spiritually, and in His spiritual existence He went and preached to the imprisoned spirits.” (1Peter 3:18-19) The imprisoned spirits were those in the Old Testament who died without knowing about His death and resurrection.
David prophesied about the Messiah. “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that His soul was not left in hell, neither His flesh did see corruption.” (Act 2:29-31) This Scripture speaks of the “fruit of his loins,” meaning David’s descendent. Jesus was a descendant of David according to the flesh. We can also see that Jesus conquered death and hell. He has gotten authority over death and hell. No one dies if God doesn’t allow it. We may not know the reasons why, especially the death of children, mothers of children and even some other adults. One thing we do know is that there is an appointed time for each and everyone of us. The how and when is already ordained. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” (Hebrews 9:27) The why only God knows.
Our Scripture, Hebrews 2:14 states that Jesus through His death, was able to destroy the devil who has power over death. The devil can no longer take us to hell. We are free from the power of sin, which is death. This is very, very important to understand. Sin is death. This is the devil’s way. But Jesus took all of our sin and conquered death. A big B.U.T. is in place here. Now Jesus offers us His gift of forgiveness and life. B.U.T. if we don’t believe in Him, His gift of life and don’t receive His gift, we stay in the dominion of the devil. It’s that clear cut.
If you find it hard to believe. Ask the Lord to reveal the Truth to you. “You will seek Me, and you will find Me because you will seek Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) The Lord makes a promise to those who are sincerely seeking Him.
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