Risen With Christ !

RISEN WITH CHRIST: In the Book of Colossians, Paul is writing to the church at Colossae. Although he used slightly different words, he says the same things he has said to the Ephesians about God's plan of redemption. He doesn't preach a new or different message to the Colossians. (Colossians 1:15--20) [Jesus the Anointed One; "who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the father that in him should all fullness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. In the second chapter, we see that Jesus Christ was quickened [made alive] by God the Father: (Colossians 2:12--15). "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are raised with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened [made alive] with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he [Jesus] made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it." Verse 12 says we were raised with Christ "through the faith of the operation of God." Notice it was the Father who did this work. Verse 13 tells us that God not only quickened us at the same time He quickened Christ Jesus, but He also forgave our sins ! When Jesus the righteous yielded to death, the bond of the law against us was paid. The Father then blotted out the broken laws and commandments which had stood between Him and us. He nailed this cancelled bond to His Son's [Jesus] cross. Paul is saying here and Colossians that it was God who formed the plan of redemption. It was God who raised Jesus from the dead. It was God who gave Him a Name above every other name. And it was God who spoiled the demonic principalities and powers who opposed the resurrection of Christ. Death is the penalty for sin. Therefore, when Christ bore the world's guilt on the cross, the satanic powers of the Prince of the power of the air sought to exercise their rights and hold Him [Jesus] under their power. THE KEYS OF AUTHORITY: the Bible says Satan had the power of death---but Jesus conquered him. [Death] ! Jesus says in (Revelation 1:18), "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." Jesus Christ took the keys away from the devil, glory to God ! Keys belong to the authorized One. Those are the keys of authority.