◄ What Does Revelation 1:5 Mean? ►

All that we were, all we are, and all that we hope to be, is encapsulated in the unique Person of Jesus Christ. All that God has done, all that He is doing, and all He will continue to do in us and for us, is rooted and grounded in Christ - humanity's great Champion. He alone can testify, "Behold, I was dead, but now I am alive forevermore." He alone is worthy to bear the titles of 'The faithful Witness', 'The Firstborn from the dead' and 'The Ruler of the kings of the earth'. Jesus holds these three positions from eternity past, even to its everlasting end.

During His sojourn on earth, Jesus was the faithful Witness Who was sent by the Father to reveal Himself to us, in the Person and Work of Christ. He is 'The Faithful Witness', Who carried out His Father's will unswervingly. And He is faithful to complete the good work He has started in each of our lives. We can trust His Word and His actions through time, and into the eternal ages to come.

He set aside His glory and put on human flesh, so that He could become the Firstborn from the dead. He is the first Man to rise from the grave, because He fulfilled all the righteous requirements of God's perfect Law, on behalf of ALL who would believe on His name. Jesus became The Federal Head of God's new and perfected creation, when He emerged from the grave as 'The Firstborn from the Dead'.

Today, He acts as our great High Priest. He is the heavenly Mediator to all who trust His Word and place their faith in His Person and Work. He sits on His Father's throne as the coming Prince of Peace, the returning Messiah of Israel, and future King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the Heir Apparent of the promised Kingdom of God. HIS is the kingdom, HIS is the power, and HIS is the glory, forever and ever - Amen.

No other person is entirely worthy and no-one else so enduringly reliable as the LORD JESUS CHRIST. He alone bears faithful witness as God's Prophet, Priest, and King. He alone is the appointed King of kings, Lord of lords, judge of the earth, and Saviour of the world. Only through His blood do streams of saving grace wash the sinner clean.

He alone is the faithful and true witness Who loved us so much that He offered up His sinless life, so that His perfect peace could flood into the heart of all who trust in Him for salvation. By His sacrificial work and glorious resurrection, He has broken the power of sin and Satan, death and hell, in the lives of all who believe on Him. He is coming back in power and great glory, to judge the world in righteousness and truth.

The black heavens were rent, and the empty tomb stood witness on that resurrection morn, accompanied by the climax of God's majestic proclamation in Psalms, "THIS DAY... this (resurrection) day have I begotten Thee." God's Firstborn from the dead, smashed forever the chains that were enslaving humanity to sin and death and hell. Jesus Christ is that faithful witness, Who loved us as He hung on the Cross - and He loves us still as He sits on the right hand of the Majesty of High.

Jesus Christ was, and is, and always will be this Faithful Witness, Who alone is the rightful King over the rulers of the earth, the appointed Prince over all heavenly authorities, the anointed Messiah of Israel, and the perfect Man Who laid down His sinless life, so that whosoever believes on Him would not perish but have everlasting life.

Jesus Christ is the One Who took the punishment for us and washed us clean in the blood of the Lamb. He loosed the fetters that enchained us. As the Alpha and Omega He is the eternal Son, Who became is the Firstborn of the dead. He broke, forever, sins enslavement and set the captives free once and for all, and Jesus Christ is coming in the clouds as the rightful Judge of the earth - and at the name of JESUS every knee will one day bow.

Praise God that we can trust Him today and forever, for He alone is worthy.

Heavenly Father, I stand amazed and kneel in awe as I consider Jesus, Your only begotten Son, and the Firstborn from the dead. Thank You that His name is Faithful and True, and that He washed me clean in His cleansing blood and loves me with an everlasting love. Thank You that He is 'The Faithful Witness' and 'the Firstborn from the dead'. Thank You that Jesus is the Ruler of the kings of the earth, and turns them whichever way He chooses. Praise Your name for all You are, and all You have done in my life. Give me I pray, a deeper understanding of this amazing love you have for all Your children. Use me today and in the days ahead, in Your service, and for Your praise and glory, until Jesus returns in the clouds for His Church. It is in His name I pray, AMEN.