Revelation 1: 18 Do not be afraid, I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

The Apostle John received a revelation of Jesus Christ while on the Isle of Patmos as a prisoner. This revelation was given in the form of visions which he has described for us in the Book of Revelation. Every believer is encouraged to read the Book of Revelation because: “Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” (Rev. 1:3).

I can tell you from experience that you will not understand it all, but the Spirit of God will burn many truths of your faith into your heart in a way you will not forget. It may be the only way you will begin to grasp the total Sovereignty of God and believe the promise that Christ will return, and that every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that He is Lord. It will take repeated readings, and it will certainly be helpful to read the works of diligent scholars who have grappled with some of the symbolism and imagery that is used, but there is no better use of God-given time.

In Genesis 1:27 God said, “Let us make man in our own image, in our likeness….” In John 1:1-2 we read, “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” Verse14 of the same Chapter reads, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Just before Jesus raised Lazarus to life he testified of himself, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26).

In his vision in Revelation 1, the Apostle John described his encounter and reaction to Jesus in all his glory – When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Later in Revelation 11:11, the same creative breath of God from Genesis is demonstrated again when the Two Witnesses who are murdered are brought back to life: “But after the three days and a half a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them.” Our breath comes from God. He alone is the breath of life. When I read this passage, the Holy Spirit said the following:

“Yes, I am all that and more. I am life, health, energy, and every force of nature dwells within me. My Spirit is the ignition. It is the beginning of all things so that my will can be exhibited wherever and whenever I release it. Understand that I AM whatever I choose to be.”