Revelation 1:18 Meaning and Explanation
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Christ proclaims that He died, is now alive forevermore, and holds the keys of death and the grave.
What Does Revelation 1:18 Mean?
The risen Lord continues to comfort John by declaring what He has done and what He holds. He is the living One who was dead but is now alive for evermore, sealing it with Amen. And He holds the keys of death and of the grave, the authority over the realms that hold the dead.
This is the ground of every hope in the book. Christ has passed through death Himself and come out alive forever, so death has no claim on Him. Now He carries its keys, holding power over death and the place of the departed. For believers who may face death for their faith, nothing could steady them more: the One who conquered the grave goes before them and holds its very keys. The fear of the previous verse melts before the living, deathless Lord.
Revelation 1:18 in the Original Language
hades (ᾅδης), 'hell' -- the realm or abode of the dead, the unseen place to which the departed go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Revelation 1:18
What does Revelation 1:18 mean?
Christ proclaims that He died, is now alive forevermore, and holds the keys of death and the grave.