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The book of Revelation was written by John between A.D. 70 and
A.D. 90. In it, Jesus spoke directly to the seven churches of Asia.
In Revelation, in part, we learn about Jesus, about New Testament
churches, and about the final judgment.
In this article, I would like to examine the first chapter of Revelation
which reveals Jesus as our heavenly Savior and ruler over the world.
- Jesus is firstborn from the dead (Rev. 1:5). Jesus says: "I
am He who lives, and was dead, and behold I am alive forever.
Amen" (Rev. 1:18). Jesus is the first to be born from the
grave (i.e., resurrect from the dead and live forever in heaven).
He is Head of the church (Col. 1:18). Thus, the church must submit
to His authority (Col. 3:17). And because Christ has risen from
the dead, we have confidence in our own resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12-13).
- Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth (Rev. 1:5).
Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev. 19:16). Therefore,
all men must submit to His authority. There is no authority that
is not subject to Christ (cf. 1 Cor. 15:27).
- Jesus loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood
(Rev. 1:5). Christians have washed their robes and made them white
in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14). The saints overcome Satan
by the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 12:11). Ananias commanded Paul
to: "Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling
on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). And Peter said: "There
is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the
removal of filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience
toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1
Pet. 3:21).
- Jesus has made us kings and priests to God (Rev. 1:6). Peter
says that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, His own special people (1 Pet. 2:9). Christians are given
power over the nations (Rev. 2:26).
- Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,
the First and the Last (Rev. 1:8, 17). Jesus became the author
of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). Jesus is
the author and finisher of our faith (Heb. 12:2).
- Jesus has the keys of Hades and Death (Rev. 1:18). The final
enemy that will be destroyed is death (1 Cor. 15:26). And Hades
will be opened at the final judgment (Rev. 20:13-14). Anyone not
found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of
fire (Rev. 20:15).
- Jesus is in the midst of the churches (Rev. 1:12-13, 20). Jesus
is present wherever two or three of His disciples are gathered
together in His name (Matt. 18:20). Jesus is Head of the church
which is His body (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18).
Jesus is in heaven ruling over the church and the world. "Blessed
are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right
to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city"
(Rev. 22:14).
Ask yourself: Am I keeping the Lord's commandments? If the Lord
came today, would I enter the gates into the city?
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