REVELATION SIMPLIFIED

 

CHAPTER 1.5

Gleanings from the Book of Revelation:

A Weekly Verse-by-Verse Bible Study Series

 

The

REVELATION TO JOHN

(The Apocalypse)

 

Chapter One

 

 (Verse 5)

 

And from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness, and the First Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.

 

Names Given to Identify Christ

In our previous study, we observed in verse 4, John wrote the Trinity’s greeting to seven churches, ultimately meant for us to read. We heard from God the Father, the seven manifestations of the Holy Spirit, and now from Jesus whom John identifies with three names:

1. He is called the Faithful Witness

2. He is called the First Begotten of the Dead

3. He is called the Prince of the Kings of the Earth

 

The Ministries of Jesus Christ in this Book: Who Christ is

1. The Faithful Witness

 

Question: 

Why does the Apostle John address Him that way?

 

Answer:

A witness is a person who has seen what has taken place and gives testimony to what has transpired. Jesus qualifies for this title. He will give a faithful and true account of everything that will come to pass.

 

Isaiah writes (the Lord speaking):

Isaiah 55:4 - Behold, I have given Him for [What?] a witness unto the people.

 

A witness in Hebrew עד [pronounced ayd (Strong’s, H5707)] and the Greek equivalency here in Revelation is Martureo [pronounced Mar-too-reh-o (Strong’s #G3144)] means:

·        To testify

·        To bear record

·        To give testimony,

·        To give an honest report

·        To report the facts

Psalm 89:27, 37b - I will make Him My Firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth…as a faithful witness in Heaven.

 

John 18:37 - To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should (What?) bear witness unto the truth.

 

Therefore, we know Jesus is faithful and true, better said: He is a true, faithful, trustworthy, dependable witness.

 

2.  The First Begotten of the Dead

 

Question:

What does this mean?

 

Answer:

The word in Greek is prototokos (Strong’s G4416) meaning first, firstborn, eldest, or first in time, however, in this passage, it specifically is referring to the Resurrection. Jesus was the firstborn of the dead.

 

Question:

Who is this person?

 

In the Gospel accounts there were three individuals Jesus miraculously raised from the dead:

1. A widow’s son from Nain

2. The daughter of Jairus

3. Lazarus

 

The difference between them being raised and Jesus’ Resurrection: Others were raised from the grave back to life, only to die again. Jesus was raised to immortality. 

 

Answer:

Jesus was the first begotten of the dead, the first person in time to experience a resurrected glorified body.

1 Timothy 6:16 - (He) only hath immortality.

 

3.  The Prince of the Kings of this Earth

Presently, Satan is moving about this earth. So, therefore:

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

 

Names of Satan: Satan Exposed

The names of Satan provide insight into the vulgar evilness of his character. Although this register is not exhaustive, Satan has been called many names:

1.  The prince of this world (cf. John 12:31; 14:30)

2.  The prince of the power of the air (cf. Ephesians 2:2)

3.  The chief of devils (cf. Luke 11:15)

4.  The prince of devils (cf. Matthew 12:24)

5.  The devil as an adversary (cf. 1 Peter 5:8)

6.  The god of this world (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:2)

7.   The god of this age (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4)

8. The lawless one (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:8)

9.  The angel of the Bottomless Pit (cf. Revelation 9:11)

10.      Abaddon - Hebrew for destroyer (cf. Revelation 9:11)

11.      Apollyon - Greek for destroyer (cf. Revelation 9:11)

12.     A great red dragon (Revelation 12:3)

13.     The great dragon (cf. Revelation 12:9)

14.     That serpent of old (cf. Revelation 12:9)

15.     The devil (cf. Revelation 12:9)

16.     Satan (cf. Revelation 12:9)

17.     The accuser of our brethren (cf. Revelation 12:10)

18.     The wicked one (cf. Matthew 13:38)

19.     The father of it - lies (cf. John 8:44)

20.     A liar (cf. John 8:44)

21.     A murderer (cf. John 8:44)

22.     The thief (cf. John 10:10)

23.     The tempter (cf. Matthew 4:3)

24.     Belial - The personification of all that is evil (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:15)

25.     The deceiver (cf. 2 John 1:7)

26.     Antichrist [opposed to, counterfeit, or against Christ (cf. 1 John 4:3)]

 

In John Milton’s poem Paradise Lost, Satan is called the prince of darkness. Remember, Satan is also the great imposter and imitator. Hence, Satan is the personification of evil. Listen to what Jesus is called, and then compare names:

1.  SATAN

Daniel 8:25 - (talking about Satan) …he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes, but he shall be broken without hand.

 

2.  CHRIST

Zechariah 14:9 - And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and His name one.

 

Revelation 19:16 - And He hath on his vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

In a later passage, we will see Jesus take back the title deed to this earth in Revelation Chapter 5 because He is the only one worthy (verse 2).

 

WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US

(Verses 5b – 6)

Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

 

1.  Jesus Christ loved us (verse 5b)

Jesus (Who is God) loved us (literally, keeps on loving us) so much He died for us on the cross of Calvary, shed His precious blood, and redeemed us (paid the price) of our sins (once and for all). This is the heart of the Gospel message.

 

The reconciliation of God’s love is – Jesus shed His deity and took on humanity [in human flesh (cf. Philippians 2:5b-11)] to be a proper sacrificial offering. God gave His only Son, concurrently Jesus willingly gave Himself.

 

1 John 4:9-10 - In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins.

 

 

Propitiation: Substitution, reconciliation, satisfaction, or the turning away of wrath by an offering.

 

Atonement: The act by which God restores a relationship of harmony and unity between Himself and human beings. The word can be broken into three parts that express this great truth in simple but profound terms: "At-one-ment." Through God's atoning grace and forgiveness, we are reinstated to a relationship of at-one-ment with God, despite our sins. [From Nelson's Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986, Thomas Nelson Publishers].

 

2. Jesus died for us – Redemption

When Paul addresses the head of the family, the husband, He writes:

Ephesians 5:25 - Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it.

 

Jesus’ love is demonstrated in that He obediently and willingly died for us.

Romans 5:18 - So then as through one trespass (sin, the sin of disobedience of Adam and Eve in Genesis) the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act (death on the cross) of righteousness the free gift (of eternal life) came unto all men to justification of life (salvation by grace). [ERV, Parenthesis mine].

 

3. Jesus made us a Kingdom

The Kingdom we receive is given to us at salvation.

Matthew 4:17 - He has made us to be a Kingdom. (NASB)

 

Remember what Jesus said when He came?

Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

 

Colossians 1:13 – [the Father], Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.

Because Christ was rejected, the Kingdom He had promised was postponed. You will see a vision of the Millennial Kingdom later in this book.

 

4.  Jesus made us priests to God, His Father

 

By salvation through Jesus Christ, we inherit royalty! We shall be kings and priests and administer the affairs of the universe with Him forever and ever.

 

1 Peter 2:9-10 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar (God’s own, purchased by the blood of Christ) people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

 

A lot of references discuss becoming joint heirs with Christ. What a tremendous calling. We will look at His future work – Glorification – In verse 7 of the next lesson.

 

A Praise and Glory Benediction (Blessing)

To Him (Jesus) be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

All praise goes to Jesus. Can you picture John trying to sing the whole Hallelujah Chorus by himself? And when you say forever and ever, you say eternity. And when you say eternity, you’ve said it all.

 

QUESTIONS:

1.  What are the 3 names given to Christ in Chapter 1:5?

2.  What does it mean to be the first begotten from the dead?

3.  Who is the prince of this earth?

4.  Name one of Satan’s tactics.

5.  Give an example of Jesus Christ’s love.

6.  In what kingdom are we living?

7.  Who is worthy to be praised?

 

 

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