A quick review in my pocket of all the keys that are on my key ring include two house keys, one for my house and one for my mother's just in case I'm needed. There is a key for the church building, my office door and even a small one for my desk. There is one for our shed in the back yard where we keep our tools and one for the mailbox. There are two sets of keys for our cars and one that I'm not sure about. There are twelve keys in all. Why in the world does a person need so many keys? Have you ever thought about that?

Keys are important to our lives. Keys have the power to open or shut things. Of all the keys one can possess, there is only one that matters. Jesus, in speaking to the apostle John in Revelation chapter one revealed this important statement, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. -Rev. 1:17-18

Doors and locks speak of things that are kept or controlled. Keys, then, speak of power, authority, freedom and knowledge.

1. Freedom. It was man's sin that brought death into the world.. Christ alone frees us from the Satan's clutches and sin's chains. The believer need not fear death because Jesus holds the keys.
2. Power. Locked doors speak of non-admittance, or keeping something bound; keys speak of the power to come and go at will. Jesus overcame death and promises us power to overcome it as well. He holds the keys.
3. Authority. Having keys speaks of power and authority of the one who holds them. Our Lord, through an empty tomb proved that he has absolute authority over death and the one who had power over death-Satan. So, "he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil."-Heb. 2:14. He holds the keys.
4. Knowledge. Keys represent knowledge of what is beyond the door. Jesus rebuked the Jewish leaders of his day saying, "woe to you…because you have taken away the key to knowledge."-Luke 11:52. They hadn't taught about God the way they should. To Peter, Jesus gives, "the keys of the kingdom of heaven,"-Matthew 16:19 which included matters relating to the preaching of the Good News. Keys, especially when they have to do with death and Hades, gives the believer an empowering of knowledge of the future. He who was called forth out of the grave will call us as well.