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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,
This is a continuation of the trinity from the previous verse.
  1. the faithful witness
  • Past
    His earthly life of obedience as given in the gospels.
  • Present
    His witness to the condition of the churches both in chapters 2 and 3 and present day.
  • Future
    His finality when all things are consummated under His control.
    The world doesn't like His witness (John 7:7) because its the truth (John 18:37) in spite of religious or political leaders who crucified Him (1 Timothy 6:13).
  1. the firstborn from the DEAD, and
    Christ was the first one to be raised from death...those of us who believe this have the same opportunity of resurrection - Revelation 7:13-14.

    This verse is the only place John uses this expression, "firstborn". Paul was fond of it. He used it in Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:15-18, and Hebrews 1:6. Christ conquered death in all its forms - creation, human, and even/especially spiritual.

    Rabbinic tradition also believes that Psalm 89:27 really refers to the Messiah even though it is written about David.

  2. the RULER over the kings of the earth.
    This is a key theme of Revelation. It is used in Revelation 11:15, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:16. Who are the kings of the earth?

    Perhaps:

    John is not clear which of the above he meant. Maybe all of them.

At any rate, John is so overwhelmed by who Jesus is that he bursts out in PRAISE!!!

We, as believers, do/will overcome the devil because of the BLOOD of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11). The devil can NEVER undo that act of SALVATION that Christ did at Calvary and His subsequent resurrection!
 "Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."

References to the Revelation of Jesus Christ are in bold italics. All other references are in bold only. Return from cross-references by using the BACK button.