The Beloved Lazarus

I have the keys of Hades and of death

Jesus Christ prepared the hearts and minds of the disciples, the crowd, and Mary and Martha to accept the truth of resurrection; He strengthened their faith in Him as the giver of life, and the source of resurrection. Everyone saw Him standing in front of the tomb, in which Lazarus was buried for four days, they saw Him raising His hands to the heaven, holding the keys to Hades and of death (Rev 1:18) and they heard Him talking to the Father. They all felt that the act Jesus about to do with great authority is for the glorification of the Father, so that the Son would be glorified through Him... Jesus then called with a great voice saying, "Lazarus, come forth" (John 11:43) So the dead came out with his hands and feet wrapped and his face covered. Truly, the abyss heard the voice of the Lord and trembled, "The voice of the LORD is powerful; The voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; The LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh." (Ps 29:4-8) the abyss heard and its forces released its captive.

Jesus awoke Lazarus from his deep sleep with His great voice (John 11:11) disregarding death, as He is Life. It is a picture of what Paul described "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." (1 Ths 4:16)