First meeting of 2016!

Jesus has the authority, victory and power

Revelation 1:18

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

Question: "What are the keys of death (Revelation 1:18)?"

Answer: In Revelation 1:18 Jesus says, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Possessing the “keys of death” means that the risen Christ has control and authority over death

 In John 10:17–18, Jesus says, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

:: When Jesus died, He died according to His own timing, when He “gave up his spirit” (John 19:30) “A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to his mouth. After he took the wine, Jesus said, “It’s done . . . complete.” Bowing his head, he offered up his spirit.”

John 19:29-30 MSG

Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead (Mark 15:44). 

“Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.”

Mark 15:42-47 NKJV

http://bible.com/114/mrk.15.42-47.nkjv

Jesus, who has the authority over death, had the unique power to give up His spirit and to rise from the dead. Moreover, He has the authority to release His followers from death in order that they may be with Him forever.

Think of the concept of giving someone “the key to the city.” This key is sometimes a large, key that fits no lock but is symbolic of an honor bestowed. Someone given “a key to the city” is considered welcome and honored within that city. The Bible frequently speaks of keys as representing control or authority over something or someone. This concept makes sense; to possess a master key to a building is to have the authority to open any of its doors and enter any room.

Isaiah 37:2 *read*

speaks of Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, an honorable man sent on an important errand. In chapter 22, it was written that Eliakim would be given authority and that God would “place on his shoulder the key to the house of David.” By the “key to the house of David,” it is meant that the Lord would place Eliakim in a position of authority. Later, Eliakim becomes the governor of the palace in Jerusalem.

Never be afraid to ask God to provide you with the same key in the area that you wish to have authority over, it could be to have more authority in your household, more responsibilities in your job, more challenges that you know the Lord has equipped you with!

In Revelation 9:1–2,  *read*

an angel is given a key to, or control over, the bottomless pit, and he uses the key to open that pit. Later, an angel is seen locking things in the bottomless pit (20:1–3) *read* Satan casted for 1000 years.

I find that in this day and age through the actions we choose that we have a CHOICE of whether to spend one day in the lord's court or a thousand elsewhere. There's even a song "better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere" - choose wisely!

Eternal life through Jesus Christ is the blessed assurance John describes in 1 John 5:6–13. 

We have a choice. The biggest part of he Christian journey is when we are born again which means to fully accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, to believe he rose from the dead, and to believe that he will come again. AND to recognise that he has the authority and power over our lives

Jesus having the keys of death means He has the power to release from death those who receive the gift of salvation He offers.

CAN I ASK:: HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JESUS AND GOD, AND WHO WOULD YOU SAY HAS THE AUTHORITY?

The trinity: Jesus is God in the sense that he is the creator 

Jesus was always there

Father son and Holy Spirit 

Jesus: salvation

Holy Spirit: helper

WHAT CAN WE DO MORE OF IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK IN ORDER TO BE GRANTED AUTHORITY?

- knowing the word and knowing who WE are in God

Have a strong relationship with him regardless of the seasons we know where we stand

Our authority comes from Him, not ourselves.

We as Christians are all entitled to have access to the key of authority that God has given to us, are you ready to surrender and give God total control of your life?

"Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere"

- Psalm 84:10

Thank you for reading, God bless you! If you have any questions please don't hesitate to email us at ladieswhofellowship@gmail.com

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