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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Revelation 1:18 the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/revelation/1-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/66_Rev_01_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Revelation 1:18 - John's Vision on Patmos" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/revelation/1-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/revelation/1-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/revelation/">Revelation</a> > <a href="/revelation/1.htm">Chapter 1</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/revelation/1-17.htm" title="Revelation 1:17">◄</a> Revelation 1:18 <a href="/revelation/1-19.htm" title="Revelation 1:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/revelation/1.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/revelation/1.htm">New International Version</a> 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. <a href="/nlt/revelation/1.htm">New Living Translation</a> I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. <a href="/esv/revelation/1.htm">English Standard Version</a> and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. <a href="/bsb/revelation/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. <a href="/blb/revelation/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and the Living One. And I was dead, and behold I am living to the ages of the ages, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. <a href="/kjv/revelation/1.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/revelation/1.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/revelation/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. <a href="/nasb/revelation/1.htm">NASB 1995</a> and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. <a href="/nasb77/revelation/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a> and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. <a href="/lsb/revelation/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. <a href="/amp/revelation/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a> and the Ever-living One [living in and beyond all time and space]. I died, but see, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of [absolute control and victory over] death and of Hades (the realm of the dead). <a href="/csb/revelation/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. <a href="/hcsb/revelation/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> and the Living One. I was dead, but look—I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades. <a href="/asv/revelation/1.htm">American Standard Version</a> and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. <a href="/cev/revelation/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> and the living one. I died, but now I am alive forever, and I have the keys to death and the world of the dead. <a href="/erv/revelation/1.htm">English Revised Version</a> and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades. <a href="/gwt/revelation/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> the living one. I was dead, but now I am alive forever. I have the keys of death and hell. <a href="/gnt/revelation/1.htm">Good News Translation</a> I am the living one! I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I have authority over death and the world of the dead. <a href="/isv/revelation/1.htm">International Standard Version</a> the living one. I was dead—but look!—I am alive forever and ever! I have the keys of Death and Hades. <a href="/msb/revelation/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> the Living One. I was dead, and behold, now I am alive forever and ever. Amen. And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. <a href="/net/revelation/1.htm">NET Bible</a> and the one who lives! I was dead, but look, now I am alive--forever and ever--and I hold the keys of death and of Hades! <a href="/nheb/revelation/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> and the Living one. I was dead, but look, I am alive forevermore. I have the keys of Death and of hell. <a href="/wbt/revelation/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/wey/revelation/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I died; but I am now alive until the Ages of the Ages, and I have the keys of the gates of Death and of Hades! <a href="/web/revelation/1.htm">World English Bible</a> and the Living one. I was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever. Amen. I have the keys of Death and of Hades. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/revelation/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and He who is living, and I became dead, and behold, I am living through the ages of the ages. Amen! And I have the keys of Hades and of death. <a href="/blb/revelation/1.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> and the Living One. And I was dead, and behold I am living to the ages of the ages, and I have the keys of Death and of Hades. <a href="/ylt/revelation/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and he who is living, and I did become dead, and, lo, I am living to the ages of the ages. Amen! and I have the keys of the hades and of the death. <a href="/slt/revelation/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he living, and I was dead; and, behold, I am living for the times of times, Amen; and have the keys of hades and of death.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/revelation/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And alive, and was dead, and behold I am living for ever and ever, and have the keys of death and of hell. <a href="/cpdv/revelation/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And I am alive, though I was dead. And, behold, I live forever and ever. And I hold the keys of death and of Hell. <a href="/nabre/revelation/1.htm">New American Bible</a> the one who lives. Once I was dead, but now I am alive forever and ever. I hold the keys to death and the netherworld. <a href="/nrsvce/revelation/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/revelation/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> I am he who lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore. Amen; and have the keys of death and of hell. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/revelation/1.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> I am he who lived and died, and behold, I am alive to the eternity of eternities, amen, and I have the key of Death and of Sheol.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/revelation/1.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> and I am he that lives; and I was dead, and be hold, I am alive from age to age: and I have the keys of hades and of death. <a href="/godbey/revelation/1.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>the living one, and I was dead; and, behold, I am alive unto the ages of the ages, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/revelation/1.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> and I am the living one, though I was dead and lo! I am alive for evermore, Amen; and I hold the keys of hell and of death. <a href="/mace/revelation/1.htm">Mace New Testament</a> I am he that liveth; I was dead; but now you see I am alive for all eternity, amen; and I have the keys of the grave, and of death." <a href="/wey/revelation/1.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> I died; but I am now alive until the Ages of the Ages, and I have the keys of the gates of Death and of Hades! <a href="/worrell/revelation/1.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>and the Living One; and I was dead; and, behold, I am alive forevermore; and I have the keys of death and of Hades.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/revelation/1.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>I am the first and the last, who live, though I was dead; and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, Amen, and have the keys of hades and of death.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/revelation/1-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJfD7KQcx0I?start=199" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/revelation/1.htm">John's Vision on Patmos</a> …17When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last, 18<a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: Zōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">Living One.</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/1096.htm" title="1096: egenomēn (V-AIM-1S) -- A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.">I was</a> <a href="/greek/3498.htm" title="3498: nekros (Adj-NMS) -- (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead.">dead,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2400.htm" title="2400: idou (V-AMA-2S) -- See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!">behold,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: eimi (V-PIA-1S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">now I am</a> <a href="/greek/2198.htm" title="2198: zōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live.">alive</a> <a href="/greek/1519.htm" title="1519: eis (Prep) -- A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/165.htm" title="165: aiōnas (N-AMP) -- From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.">forever</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tōn (Art-GMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">and</a> <a href="/greek/165.htm" title="165: aiōnōn (N-GMP) -- From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period.">ever!</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">And</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echō (V-PIA-1S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">I hold</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tas (Art-AFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2807.htm" title="2807: kleis (N-AFP) -- A key. From kleio; a key, literally or figuratively.">keys</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/2288.htm" title="2288: thanatou (N-GMS) -- Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death.">Death</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">of</a> <a href="/greek/86.htm" title="86: hadou (N-GMS) -- Hades, the unseen world. Properly, unseen, i.e. Hades or the place of departed souls.">Hades. </a> 19Therefore write down the things you have seen, and the things that are, and the things that will happen after this.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/11-25.htm">John 11:25</a> Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. <a href="/romans/6-9.htm">Romans 6:9</a> For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has dominion over Him. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-55.htm">1 Corinthians 15:55-57</a> “Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” / The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. / But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! <a href="/hebrews/2-14.htm">Hebrews 2:14-15</a> Now since the children have flesh and blood, 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, / and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. <a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18</a> Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. <a href="/john/14-19.htm">John 14:19</a> In a little while the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. <a href="/acts/2-24.htm">Acts 2:24</a> But God raised Him from the dead, releasing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep Him in its grip. <a href="/philippians/2-9.htm">Philippians 2:9-11</a> Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, / that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, / and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. <a href="/colossians/1-18.htm">Colossians 1:18</a> And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence. <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">1 Peter 3:18</a> For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit, <a href="/isaiah/25-8.htm">Isaiah 25:8</a> He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken. <a href="/hosea/13-14.htm">Hosea 13:14</a> I will ransom them from the power of Sheol; I will redeem them from Death. Where, O Death, are your plagues? Where, O Sheol, is your sting? Compassion is hidden from My eyes. <a href="/daniel/12-2.htm">Daniel 12:2</a> And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Psalm 16:10</a> For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay. <a href="/psalms/49-15.htm">Psalm 49:15</a> But God will redeem my life from Sheol, for He will surely take me to Himself. Selah</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for ever more, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.that liveth.<a href="/job/19-25.htm">Job 19:25</a> For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:<a href="/psalms/18-46.htm">Psalm 18:46</a> The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.<a href="/john/14-19.htm">John 14:19</a> Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.was.<a href="/romans/14-8.htm">Romans 14:8,9</a> For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's… <a href="/2_corinthians/5-14.htm">2 Corinthians 5:14,15</a> For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: … <a href="/hebrews/1-3.htm">Hebrews 1:3</a> Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;I am alive.<a href="/revelation/4-9.htm">Revelation 4:9</a> And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,<a href="/revelation/5-14.htm">Revelation 5:14</a> And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.<a href="/hebrews/7-16.htm">Hebrews 7:16,25</a> Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life… the keys.<a href="/revelation/3-7.htm">Revelation 3:7</a> And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;<a href="/revelation/9-1.htm">Revelation 9:1</a> And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.<a href="/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1,2,14</a> And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/1-6.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/1_peter/3-18.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/revelation/1-7.htm">Amen</a> <a href="/revelation/1-17.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/1_john/5-17.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_peter/3-4.htm">Died</a> <a href="/revelation/1-8.htm">Evermore</a> <a href="/galatians/1-5.htm">Forevermore</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-32.htm">Gates</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-55.htm">Hades</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-4.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-9.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Keys</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/revelation/4-9.htm">Ages</a> <a href="/revelation/2-8.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/revelation/3-14.htm">Amen</a> <a href="/revelation/2-8.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/revelation/2-10.htm">Death</a> <a href="/revelation/2-8.htm">Died</a> <a href="/revelation/4-8.htm">Evermore</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-51.htm">Forevermore</a> <a href="/revelation/21-12.htm">Gates</a> <a href="/revelation/6-8.htm">Hades</a> <a href="/revelation/6-8.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/revelation/2-4.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Keys</a><div class="vheading2">Revelation 1</div>1. <a href="/revelation/1-1.htm">The preface.</a> 4. <a href="/revelation/1-4.htm">John's salutation to the seven churches of Asia.</a> 7. <a href="/revelation/1-7.htm">The coming of Christ.</a> 8. <a href="/revelation/1-8.htm">His glorious power and majesty.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/revelation/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/revelation/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>the Living One. This phrase identifies Jesus Christ as the eternal and self-existent God, echoing the divine name revealed to Moses in <a href="/exodus/3-14.htm">Exodus 3:14</a>, "I AM WHO I AM." It emphasizes His deity and His role as the source of all life, aligning with <a href="/john/1-4.htm">John 1:4</a>, "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men." The title "Living One" underscores His victory over death and His eternal nature, as seen in <a href="/hebrews/7-16.htm">Hebrews 7:16</a>, which speaks of the power of an indestructible life.I was dead, This acknowledges the historical reality of Jesus' crucifixion, a central event in Christian faith. His death was a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies such as <a href="/isaiah/53.htm">Isaiah 53</a>, which foretold the suffering servant. It also highlights the humanity of Christ, who experienced death as all humans do, yet without sin, as stated in <a href="/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">2 Corinthians 5:21</a>.and behold, now I am alive forever and ever! This declaration of Christ's resurrection is foundational to Christian belief, affirming His victory over death and His eternal reign. It fulfills prophecies like <a href="/psalms/16-10.htm">Psalm 16:10</a>, which speaks of God not abandoning His Holy One to the grave. The phrase "forever and ever" emphasizes the permanence of His life, contrasting with the temporary nature of earthly life, and is echoed in <a href="/romans/6-9.htm">Romans 6:9</a>, "Death no longer has dominion over Him."And I hold the keys of Death and of Hades. In ancient times, keys symbolized authority and control. By holding the keys of Death and Hades, Jesus asserts His dominion over the realms of the dead, indicating His power to grant eternal life and execute judgment. This authority is affirmed in <a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18</a>, where Jesus states, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." The mention of Hades, the Greek term for the abode of the dead, connects to Jewish and early Christian understandings of the afterlife, as seen in <a href="/luke/16-23.htm">Luke 16:23</a> and <a href="/acts/2-27.htm">Acts 2:27</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/t/the_living_one.htm">The Living One</a> Refers to Jesus Christ, who is speaking in this verse. He is emphasizing His eternal nature and victory over death. 2. <a href="/topical/d/death.htm">Death</a> Represents the state of being dead, which Jesus has conquered through His resurrection. 3. <a href="/topical/h/hades.htm">Hades</a> In the Greek context, Hades is the realm of the dead. Jesus holding the keys signifies His authority over death and the afterlife.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/c/christ's_eternal_nature.htm">Christ's Eternal Nature</a> Jesus is the "Living One," emphasizing His divine nature and eternal existence. Believers can find assurance in His unchanging presence. <a href="/topical/v/victory_over_death.htm">Victory Over Death</a> Jesus' resurrection is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing hope and assurance of eternal life for believers. <a href="/topical/a/authority_of_christ.htm">Authority of Christ</a> Holding the keys of Death and Hades signifies Jesus' ultimate authority over life and death, offering believers confidence in His sovereign control. <a href="/topical/h/hope_in_resurrection.htm">Hope in Resurrection</a> The promise of life forever with Christ encourages believers to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on heavenly rather than earthly concerns. <a href="/topical/e/empowerment_for_witness.htm">Empowerment for Witness</a> Understanding Christ's victory over death empowers believers to share the gospel boldly, knowing that death has been defeated.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_revelation_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 1</a> <a href="/q/what_are_death's_keys.htm">What are death's keys?</a> <a href="/q/what_occurs_following_death.htm">What occurs following death?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_jesus'_bodily_resurrection.htm">What is the bodily resurrection of Jesus?</a> <a href="/q/what_are_the_kingdom's_keys.htm">What are the kingdom's keys?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/revelation/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) I am he that liveth, and was dead.--Better, and the living One (omit the words "I am"); and I became dead; and, behold, I am alive (or, I am living) unto the ages of ages (or, for evermore), "Amen" is omitted in the best MSS. This verse must be carefully kept in connection with the preceding, as the description should go on without pause. He is the living One--not merely one who once was alive, or is now alive--but the One who has "life in Himself, and the fountain and source of life to others, <a href="/john/1-4.htm" title="In him was life; and the life was the light of men.">John 1:4</a>; <a href="/john/14-6.htm" title="Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.">John 14:6</a>; the One who hath immortality," <a href="/1_timothy/6-16.htm" title="Who only has immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach to; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power everlasting. Amen.">1Timothy 6:16</a> (Trench). Yet He became dead. There are two wonders here: the living One becomes dead, and the dead One is alive for evermore. It is another form of the glorious truth and paradox of which the Apostles were so fond (<a href="/context/philippians/2-8.htm" title="And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.">Philippians 2:8-9</a>; <a href="/hebrews/2-9.htm" title="But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honor; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.">Hebrews 2:9</a>). Comp. Christ's words, <a href="/luke/9-24.htm" title="For whoever will save his life shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.">Luke 9:24</a>, and Luke 13:43, which contain promises which He only could make who could say, "I have the keys of death and of Hades." The order of these words has been transposed in our English version. The true order is the more appropriate order, "For Hades is the vast unseen realm into which men are ushered by death; dark and mysterious as that realm was, and dreaded as was its monarch, our risen Lord has both under His power. The keys are the emblems of His right and authority." (Comp. <a href="/context/revelation/3-7.htm" title="And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things said he that is holy, he that is true, he that has the key of David, he that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens;">Revelation 3:7-8</a>.) It is not of the second death that He speaks; our Lord is here seen as the conqueror of that clouded region, and that resistless foe which man dreaded. (Comp. <a href="/john/11-25.htm" title="Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:">John 11:25</a>; <a href="/hebrews/2-15.htm" title="And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.">Hebrews 2:15</a>.) Comp. Henry Vaughan's quaint poem "An Easter Hymn"-- . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/revelation/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 18. - I am he that liveth. This should be joined with what precedes. "I am the First and the Last, and the Living One; and I became dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades." "Became" or "came to be" (ἐγενόμην), as in vers. 9 and 10, indicates an exceptional condition. The "Amen" has been improperly inserted after "forevermore" (see on "forever and ever," in ver. 6) from liturgical usage. Most English versions omit it. The keys, as so often, are the sign of authority (<a href="/revelation/3-7.htm">Revelation 3:7</a>; <a href="/revelation/9-1.htm">Revelation 9:1</a>; <a href="/revelation/20-1.htm">Revelation 20:1</a>; <a href="/matthew/16-19.htm">Matthew 16:19</a>). Christ, as the absolutely Living One, who "has life in himself" and is the Source of life in others, has control, not merely over the passage from this world to the other, but over the other world itself. He can recall departed souls from their resting place. The error of rendering Αιδης "hell" has often been pointed out; it is not a place of punishment, but the temporary home of the departed, who are awaiting the day of judgment. "Death," in all the best manuscripts and versions precedes "Hades;" and this is the logical order. <a href="/commentaries/revelation/1-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Living [One]. Ζῶν (Zōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. I was ἐγενόμην (egenomēn) Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1096.htm">Strong's 1096: </a> A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude. dead, νεκρὸς (nekros) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3498.htm">Strong's 3498: </a> (a) adj: dead, lifeless, subject to death, mortal, (b) noun: a dead body, a corpse. From an apparently primary nekus; dead. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. behold, ἰδοὺ (idou) Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2400.htm">Strong's 2400: </a> See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo! [now] I am εἰμι (eimi) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. alive ζῶν (zōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2198.htm">Strong's 2198: </a> To live, be alive. A primary verb; to live. forever αἰῶνας (aiōnas) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_165.htm">Strong's 165: </a> From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period. [and] τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. ever! αἰώνων (aiōnōn) Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_165.htm">Strong's 165: </a> From the same as aei; properly, an age; by extension, perpetuity; by implication, the world; specially a Messianic period. And καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. I hold ἔχω (echō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. the τὰς (tas) Article - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. keys κλεῖς (kleis) Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2807.htm">Strong's 2807: </a> A key. From kleio; a key, literally or figuratively. of τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Death θανάτου (thanatou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2288.htm">Strong's 2288: </a> Death, physical or spiritual. From thnesko; death. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. of τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Hades. ᾅδου (hadou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_86.htm">Strong's 86: </a> Hades, the unseen world. Properly, unseen, i.e. 'Hades' or the place of departed souls. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/revelation/1-18.htm">Revelation 1:18 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/revelation/1-18.htm">NT Prophecy: Revelation 1:18 And the Living one (Rev. Re Apocalypse)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/revelation/1-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Revelation 1:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Revelation 1:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/revelation/1-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Revelation 1:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Revelation 1:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>