Outline of The Book of Revelation (v. 19)

Revelation 1:17–20
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We may laugh at the story above, but Jesus has the keys to open and shut the doors of death and Hell (vv. 17-18). A key to a vault where treasures are kept can be a very important key. It can give the person access to things of great value. But, of all the keys in the world there are none as important as the ones which have the awesome power to lock and unlock Death and Hell. The events of Easter and Resurrection Sunday give us hope and encouragement to do what sometimes look impossible. The awesomeness of this vision was so overpowering that John “fell at His feet as dead” (v. 17).  At this point John received reassurance from Christ in the words “Fear not” because I “have the keys of hell and of death” (v. 18). 

The apostle was then commanded to write the things which he had seen and would yet see. Most commentators see verse 19 as an outline of the book of Revelation. It is as follows:

      1.  The things of the past                    - Chapter 1

      2.  The present state of the church      - Chapters 2-3

      3.  The things which are future           - Chapters 4-22

Application

John was placed on an island because of his testimony. Is my testimony such that it influences people either in a positive or negative way? When I face difficult problems, I need to remember that the power available to John in the early Church is also available to me.