John a disciple of Christ Jesus, rested completely "in Jesus' bosom." This was a time in his life where there was peace and joy... with no trials or sufferings. This was also a time, where there was no foreshadowing of God's glory or His revelations. It begs the question: When did John receive his revelation of Christ Jesus in all his Glory???
Only after John was dragged from Ephesus in chains... exiled to the Isle of Patmos and sentenced to hard labor... were his eyes opened. John was isolated... he was alone with no family or friends to comfort him... and he had no ncompanionship what so ever. In total misery and anguish... John reached the lowest point of his life.
We would never think or imagine... that in his lonely hours of despair... John would receive the revelation of his Lord Jesus. A proclamation that would be the final element of Scripture: the book of Revelation. John saw Jesus as he had never seen him before... the Holy Spirit opened his eyes and he literally saw Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
John saw Jesus declare, "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 1:18 Hearing that John fell on his face... but the Lord in compassion... lifted him up and showed him those very keys that he held in his hand. 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... Revelation 1:17
Oh what a comfort this is to us today... for every Christian who is hurting and in need. The Holy Spirit reminds us that, "Jesus holds ALL the keys to life and death!" Our departure from this earth rests in the hands of one we can trust... one who gave his very life for us... that one is Jesus! John's revelation is meant to bring rest and peace to our hearts. We need to visualize Jesus standing before us... He is holding the keys to our life and our death... and He is assuring us that He alone is in control.