62. 'And have the keys of hell and of death' signifies that He Only can save. By 'keys' is signified the power of opening and shutting, here the power of opening hell so that man can be led forth, and of shutting it so that when he has been led out he may not enter again. For man is born into evils of every kind, thus in a hell, for evils are the hell out of which he is led forth by the Lord, Who has the power of opening that hell. The reason why by 'having the keys of hell and of death' is not understood the power of casting into hell but the power of saving is because it follows immediately after the words 'Behold I am the Living One for ages of ages', by which is signified that He Only is eternal Life (n. 60); and the Lord never casts anyone into hell, but a man casts himself. The power of opening and shutting is signified by 'keys' also in chaps. iii 7; ix 1; and xx i, of the Apocalypse; again in Isaiah xxii 21, 22, in Matthew xvi 19, and in Luke xi 52. The Lord's power is not only over heaven, but also over hell, for hell is kept in order and connection by oppositions against heaven; and therefore He Who rules the one will of necessity rule the other. Otherwise man could not be saved. To be saved is to be led forth from hell.