He who has “the keys of Hades and of Death” displays openly His power over both. Death is canceled; Hades gives up possession. Redemption is completed, as far as the heavenly people are concerned, taking effect now upon the body as before it does upon the soul.

The style in which this occurs is remarkable. “The Lord Himself will descend.” Why that? Could He not commit it to others? Could He not speak the word from the throne above, and never leave it? Surely, but how it should stir our poor, slow hearts to see that, when the time of His patience is over, how His heart comes out in the action here. He must come Himself out of the gate of heaven, as we rush out to greet the approach of a dear and intimate and long-absent friend, forgetting all slow formality. His voice must greet them first of all; His must be the shout that breaks the slumber of the grave, and brings out its tenants.

All is accomplished as in a moment; delay is at an end. And this is the fitting introduction to the end which alone satisfies Him whose time has come to see the fruit of His soul’s travail (Isa. 53:11). “And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”