Who has the power over Death?

 

Hebrews 2:14-15

In the last few years, I’ve experienced the results of death in my family, in my neighborhood, and now my brother’s 27-year-old grandson.  As I began to read Hebrews 2:14-15, “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he (Jesus) himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”  Whoa, what did that say, whom has the power over death, it said the devil, and that Christ came to set free those who live under the fear of death.  The Scripture is very clear that the devil is a created being, how or who gave him these powers?   Much can be learned about what happens in heaven from what many scholars refer to as the oldest book in the Bible, the book of Job.

We see a very prosperous man named Job, who has a large family and looks to God as his source.  We also see the accuser the devil going before God the Father and telling Him that Job only worships Him because God is so good to Job.  It is God who brings up Job; it went something like this, have you seen Job, there are none like him on earth, he is a blameless and upright man.  And the games began, and then Satan was given the right to destroy his family and wealth, but Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

So the devil asked for more power over Job, taking up the story in Job 2:4, “then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.  But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.”  And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”  It is very important that you understand it was under God’s authority that he had the power to do these things.

I find it of interest that when the devil tempted Jesus Christ, he spoke of the authority that had been given him, look at Luke 4:5-7.  “And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will.  If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” You must understand the message to Jesus was clear; you can have this without dying on a cross.  The other thing you must understand is that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin; you and I would be under God’s wrath, and His righteous judgment.  And it is also important that Jesus did not say, “Wrong” so it is implied that God has delivered these powers to the devil.

That is why I find so much joy in Hebrews 2:14-15, that Jesus has destroyed the devil’s authority over death, by His death on the cross.  Jesus took our place; Jesus took the full wrath of God.  If you are fearful of death, acknowledge by faith the free gift of salvation, and ask Jesus to forgive you of trying to bypass the Cross.

Form the Back Porch,

Bob Rice