VERSE 5 “…and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood…”

AND FROM JESUS CHRIST

“Jesus is the last mentioned in this series (unlike Matt. 28:19.) This is because this book is the REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST —it is principally about HIM. He is mentioned last in the series so that when expansion begins ABOUT HIM it need not be broken by reference to the Holy Spirit or the Father. Jesus is the head of all the Churches, who would be with them “always, even unto the end of the age.”

THAT is the point of Revelation as a book. The Gospels told us about his earthly ministry. The prophecies of the Old Testament tell us about the Millennial Kingdom (to which the end of Revelation adds some information.) But the work of Jesus with his church while he is beyond the veil, while the church is yet in the flesh is the POINT of the Book of Revelation.

“The blessing the Apostle John is baring record of comes (a) from the Father, (b) from the Holy Spirit, and (c) “from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness.” This reference to Jesus is a further proof that the title “which is, and which was, and which is to come,” mentioned in the forepart of the salutation (Verse 4), belongs not to the Master but to the Father. The love of Jesus, as well as that of the Father, stands guardian of the way. Attention is directed to the Master’s success as “the faithful witness” who pioneered and prepared the way for others to follow, serving as a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul (Heb. 6:19, 20).

Shortly before his death, Jesus talked with his disciples: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). The experience and counsel of Jesus are of immeasurable benefit to the Lord’s people. Throughout his entire earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated his personal loyalty to God; but not until his mission was fully accomplished, not until his testimony was sealed in faithfulness unto death, was it eternally secured and made a surety for man’s redemption.”

THE FAITHFUL WITNESS

This is the beginning of another 3-part list.

The three parts tell of (1) his earthly ministry, (2) his exaltation, and (3) his control over the powers-that-be during the development of his Church. “Faithful witness” then, refers to his earthly walk. (Compare 3:14) Jesus is the one who made visible before men and angels the character of his Father. Thus the grace and peace shown IN and THROUGH him can be directed and recommended to us.

THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD

“The first begotten of the dead” does not signify a mere awakening from death. There are several recorded instances of awakenings or resuscitation’s in the Old Testament where various prophets raised some of the dead. In the New Testament the Lord Jesus Christ raised some from the death condition, for instance, Lazarus. But all of these individuals lived out their lives and a few years later returned captive to the tomb. Therefore, prior to the death of Jesus, there were awakenings and resuscitation’s, but there was never a real resurrection from death. The Lord Jesus Christ was the first to rise from the death condition wherein the shadow of death no longer posed a threat to his destiny.”

Therefore anyone who suggests to you that Enoch, Moses, Elijah or for that matter anyone prior to Christ was resurrected is a liar, Christ was the firstborn from the dead, “the first to rise from the dead, that in all things he may have the preeminence”. (Col 1:18)

THE (PRINCE OR) RULER OVER THE KINGS OF THE EARTH

“Brethren seem to differ on the interpretation of this phrase. Most seem to prefer that “kings of the earth” be prophetic of the Church in glory. They seem to think that ruler-ship over the powerful of the earth is not very flattering since those powers are to pass away. The problem with this view is that “kings of the earth” becomes an inconsistent symbol in Revelation.

For instance, in Rev 19:19 “Kings of the Earth” clearly are NOT saints! Perhaps for consistency’s sake, “Kings of the Earth” (here in 1:5) should refer also to earthly powers. There is no need to think that Jesus’ being ruler over them is a temporary and weak description. Instead, it is a strong assurance that all the things which the seven Churches may suffer at the hands of the “Kings of the Earth” will be OVERRULED by one GREATER than the Kings of the Earth —one who will supplant them in the time best suited to his purpose. Thus the threefold listing of Verse 5 shows a chronological experience of our Head: his earthly ministry, his glorification, and his total control over the powers of the Gospel Age for the benefit and development of his beloved Church.

NOTE: Verse 5 should really end here. The next phrase begins a benediction by the Apostle John: “To him who loves us . . . be glory and dominion forever. Amen.” This is no longer part of John’s delivering of the greeting from Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is John responding to the greeting with praise.

TO HIM WHO LOVES US

After delivering the greeting from Father, Holy Spirit, and Son, John praises the last mentioned —Jesus —in terms which will be of vital importance to the saints during their walk in the narrow way. This phrase, “him who loves us,” assures that all the horrors that are to follow in the descriptions of the seven Churches, Seals, and Trumpets, must be interpreted as a permission for good; it all must be recognized as resulting in the fruitage which love needs and demands.

AND RELEASED (OR WASHED) US FROM OUR SINS BY HIS BLOOD

This second phrase of the benediction refers to both ransom and justification. Upon this doctrine rests all of the stability of the saints during the age. Without the sustaining assurance of our justification, we could never function under the trials of the age.

In our next post we will take a look at Verse 6.