Day 24

“Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, ¹⁸ and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” Rev 1:18 NASB

Scholars have noticed a surprising similarity between the description of Jesus here and the greatest, most popular goddess of Asia Minor, Hekate. Hekate was renowned as the one who possessed the keys to Hades, the mythological realm of the dead. She was called “trimorphous,” having three different forms or shapes related to the three great parts of the universe: heaven, earth, and the underworld (Hades). In her heavenly form, she was called Selene or Luna (the moon), on earth, she was called Artemis or Diana (see Acts 19). She was also known as “the beginning and the end” (Rev 22:13). 

As the one who freely moves between heaven, earth, and the underworld, Hekate would be the goddess of revelation. She would be able to reveal on earth the things that went on in heaven and in Hades. As the holder of the keys, she would also be the one who could provide salvation. 

Why would Jesus refer to Himself in ways that so strikingly resemble a pagan goddess? Because God always meets people where they are (see 1 Cor 9:19-23). Every conversion story is unique because God is creative in His approach. 

I remember a friend who was high on drugs lying on the floor listening to some rock music when God spoke to him. Responding to God’s call, he quit the drugs and the wild life and ended up sitting next to me doing theology in 1974. A few years later he finished college and entered the ministry! It’s an incredible testimony to Jesus’ ability to reach anyone, even in a drug and music infested room. This is the infinite grace of Jesus Christ, who pulls branches out of the fire and puts them to good use! That means there’s hope for you and me too.