I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 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. Revelation 1:10-18 KJV
It began in heaven before the dawn of time. Before the earth was ever designed as Adam's planet! It happened in heaven in the very throne room of God, when Lucifer decided that he was the next big thing and better than God! Of course, not being omniscient he did not, and could not know what God knew and knows! He was therefore instantly and unceremoniously tossed out on his haughty nose from his previous privileged position, to become for all time the adversary and enemy of God and man!
And course he did not fall alone. He took company with him! And sure thing, he laid the blame for failure on the arena of his downfall and the overwhelming presence of the Almighty!
"But on earth, I have rule!" he said, "Your puny creation man blew it! It is now mine! Different arena, different conditions, sinful man and savage world! You ever get down here and I will make you regret you ever tossed me!"
Jesus looked at him and smiled, then said "No rush! I'm coming down there!"
So in the fullness of time, before which the adversary seized the opportunity to recruit and reinforce his strongholds, Jesus came, literally emptying Himself of His Godly fullness! Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2:6-7 KJV
He became a man, subjected to temptations just like man, just like you and I. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 KJV
He identified Himself with us! Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; Hebrews 2:14 KJV
He then told the adversary "I'm here!"
Giving him credit the adversary tried! He tried his best, even planting a betrayer in Jesus' camp! He tempted Jesus in every conceivable way! ...but (Jesus) was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 KJV In it all Jesus triumphed!
The Word came to the forefront of every battle and got the victory! Everywhere He went Jesus destroyed the works of the devil! For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8 KJV
The devil tried several times to kill Jesus but failed!
Herod tried when Jesus was a baby!
The devil tried to get Jesus to throw Himself off the temple pinnacle!
In Nazareth they tried to push Him over a cliff!
Several times they sought to slay Him!
Twice it's recorded that they tried to stone Him in Jerusalem...in the TEMPLE!!!
The devil tried to drown Him but Jesus simply told the storm to take a vacation!
Hey! You couldn't take the Man down until He decided it was time to go down! For concerning His Life He said No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John 10:18 KJV
Jesus healed the sick, comforted the weary, forgave the sinner and even ripped souls back from death and the grave! All efforts of the adversary were thwarted by the incomparable Son of God! During Jesus' earthly ministry it was 3 years of frenzied frustration for the devil! The enemy raged and ranted and gashed his teeth but to no avail! Finally he said in bitter vexation, "OK Jesus you've made your point with these weak inferior humans but...Death and hell are my domain. I have the keys and full authority. Should you ever attempt to disrupt there you can sing your swan song! Third time you're out of luck!"
And Jesus looked at him, smiled and said "Luck has nothing to do with it! You really don't have a clue what this is all about! Really! And devil...I'm coming down there!"
So He emptied Himself, stripped off flesh on the cross, then descended into hell!
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8 KJV
Right there in Hades, in the place of the dead, darkness ruled supreme. As the adversary celebrated there appeared a tiny flickering light. Startled the devil looked up and stared as the light got brighter, and brighter! What was that light doing in the place of darkness?
Before the devil's scattered thoughts could refocus Jesus was among them like a cat among the pigeons! Like a bull in a china shop! Like a blazing fire in a house of wax! They just didn't know it yet! He looked at the adversary, smiled and said, "Hey you! I'm here!"
The bluff master sneered,
"And here you'll stay, no longer in my way
...forever...
For death is mine...and hell is mine!
I have the keys to do as I please!
I have the might to prevent your flight!
For it's here I rule and I'll take you to school!
Your time is done! Now I'm taking you down!"
Jesus replied,
"Here's how it's really going down devil!
You've had your say but I'm the Way!
You're not too bright for I'm the Light!
And you're the fool that I'm taking to school!
And you know you're wrong for you're going down!
'Cause I am here to do as I please
And when I'm through I'm taking your keys!"
Desperately the forces of darkness plunged forward to overwhelm The Light by sheer numbers! Hell rocked and raged vainly, in frantic fury to bring down the Master!
And vain indeed it was, for the Resurrection and the Life was in the place of the dead! And death could not hold Him!
The Light was in the place of darkness and the darkness could not overpower Him!
He spoiled principalities and powers making an open display of them as heaven looked on with delighted approval!
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Colossians 2:15 KJV
Jesus walked up to a battered enemy, looked him in the eye and...snatching the keys of death and hell from the devil, shouted,
"Hey Devil! You LOSE!
I'm outta here with whoever I choose!
I'm the Lord of the Living and the Lord of the dead
And I'm here to do what My Father said!
For the sins of mankind My Blood was shed!
To make a new man of whom I'm the Head!
And now I'm walking right outta here
For I have the keys and man don't have to fear
neither you and your evil nor death or the grave
Because I live, evermore to save!"
And Jesus threw the gates open, leading captivity as a captive! As He exited the debacle he looked at the adversary and said, "By the way... I'm coming again!"
And He is declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead! Romans 1:4 KJV
He has given to us that same Spirit...the Spirit that raised Him from the dead! And you do not have to fear! For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
And the enemy may try you, and test you, and tempt you to sin and to fear But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Romans 8:11 KJV
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.1 John 4:15-18 KJV
Every time you're faced with an issue, a problem, a need and you call on Him He's there. He stands and declares "I'm coming down there!"
So Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalms 50:14-15 KJV
As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Psalms 55:16 KJV
In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Psalms 86:7 KJV
Foe He said: Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. Psalms 91:14-16 KJV
When we gather in His name He will rise and say "I'm coming down there!"
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20
When we are in the storms, fires, and floods He will rise and say "I'm coming down there!"
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:1-2 KJV
If we love Him and keep His Word He will rise and say "I'm coming down there!"
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23 KJV
His promise is that He will never leave us or forsake us!
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:5-6 KJV
Therefore...
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 KJV
