Copyright © 2006 By Doug Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.
Catechism Of The Catholic Church Reprinted With Permission.
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And Jesus really did have "the kingdom and the power and the
glory" to do it. Consider this passage from the Book of
Revelation, especially, "Fear not …" and "… the keys …":
Revelation 1:10 - 18 I was in the spirit on the Lord's day and heard behind me a
great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying: What thou seest, write in a book and send to
the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to
Pergamus and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.
And I turned to see the voice that spoke with me.
And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks: And in the midst of the
seven golden candlesticks, one like to the Son of man (Jesus) with a garment
down to the feet, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. And his head and
his hairs were white as white wool and as snow. And his eyes were as a flame of
fire: And his feet like unto fine brass, as in a burning furnace. And his voice as
the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars. And from
his mouth came out a sharp two-edged sword. And his face was as the sun
shineth in his power. And when I had seen him, I fell at his feet as dead.
And he laid his right hand upon me, saying: Fear not. I (Jesus) am the
First and the Last, and alive, and was dead. And behold I am living forever
and ever and have the keys of death and of hell.
So, the first two parts of Christ's redemptive mission were
accomplished. Satan's power was broken. Jesus now held power
over death and hell. The captives were set free, heaven was open,
and the Kingdom of God was truly at hand.
For the 33 years of His life on earth, Jesus the man, successfully
resisted the wickedness and snares of the devil and faithfully
accomplished the will of His heavenly Father in all things, even
unto death. Once again, the "New Adam" succeeded where the
first Adam had not.
By definitively rejecting Satan and choosing to do only the will of
God, His Father, even unto death on the cross, Jesus proved man
worthy, once again, to receive God's grace.
Romans 5:18 - 19 Therefore, as by the offence of one (Adam), unto all men to
condemnation, so also by the justice of one (Jesus), unto all men to justification
of life.
For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners: so also by the
obedience of one, many shall be made just.
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