The Book of Revelation is all about Jesus. In the first chapter, Jesus is given three titles which give us a summary of the way Jesus is portrayed throughout the book. The three titles are
Faithful witness
Firstborn of the dead
Ruler of the kings of the earth. [Revelation 1:5 ESV]
These three terms are set off against three titles given to God the Father in the previous verse. The three titles are
Him who is
Him who was
Him who is to come [Revelation 1:4]
There is also a reference to the Holy Spirit, "the seven spirits who are before the throne" [Revelation 1:4]. So the Book of Revelation begins with a greeting from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In today's blog we want to think briefly about the significance of each of these three titles given to Jesus Christ.
Faithful Witness
The word witness is one of the keywords of Revelation. In Revelation 1:5, the Greek word is martus (pronounced martoos). We have a similar statement in chapter 3 in the introduction to the message to the church at Laodicea.
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness (martus), the beginning of God's creation. [Revelation 3:14 ESV]
Sometimes, the word is used in the sense of martyr - someone who has given their life for the sake of their faith. In chapter 2 in the message to Pergamum, we are introduced to someone by the name of Antipas, who is described as 'my faithful witness' and we are told that he was 'killed among you.' In chapter 11 we come across two witnesses - again the same word 'martus' (Revelation 11:3). The word is not always used in the way we use the word, martyr in today's language - it is a witness.
If we look at the very beginning of the book of Revelation, this theme is introduced in the second verse of the first chapter, where we have a form of this word ' witness' used twice.
[1] The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, [2] who bore witness [martureo] to the word of God and to the testimony [marturia] of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. [Revelation 1:1-2 ESV]
Jesus is the faithful witness - which is from the Greek word pistos which means trustworthy, sure and true. He is the prime example of the perfect witness. We are expected to follow His supreme example.
[13] I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, [1 Timothy 6:13 ESV]
Here is an interesting quote from Darrell Johnson:
"Witness" is the language of the courtroom. The word "witness" implies someone is on trial. Who? Who is on trial? Not the church. Not us. Otherwise, we would not be called "witnesses;" we would be called "defendants." Witnesses are called in to give testimony, to provide evidence for another. So who is on trial in "the great city?" Jesus Christ. Jesus is on trial ! For claiming to bring into the world another kingdom, which transforms and displaces all other kingdoms. For subverting the status quo. For claiming to be able to repair broken humanity. For claiming to be able to set humanity free from the powers of evil and sin and death. For claiming to be the centre of all things. And in his trial in "the great city" Jesus calls the temple, his people, to be his witnesses, to give evidence that he is right. "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the remotest parts of the earth (Acts 1:18). [Darrell Johnson: Discipleship on the Edge (An Expository Journey Through the Book of Revelation) pp 219-220]
Firstborn of the dead.
The firstborn held an important position in the family in Old Testament times. This is abundantly clear from the story of the twin sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob. Esau was the firstborn and this was considered such an honour that Rebekah, the mother of the twins was prepared to deceive her husband to force him to grant the privileges going with being firstborn to Jacob rather than Esau (Genesis 27). Jesus has the right to a wonderful title - the firstborn of the dead. In the book of Revelation we are presented with the Jesus who has risen from the dead.
[17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, [18] and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.
[Revelation 1:17-18 ESV]
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the bedrock for the whole book of Revelation. Paul also speaks about Jesus as the 'firstborn from the dead.'
[18] And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. [Colossians 1:18 ESV]
Jesus' death and resurrection granted him this wonderful title - 'firstborn from the dead.' This is a great assurance to us all. His resurrection has changed the whole perspective on death. Paul outlines the hope which the resurrection of Jesus brings to His followers. If Christianity only affected this life and made no difference to what happened after death, then we would have more cause to be pitied than other people. It is the resurrection of Jesus which guarantees us a future beyond the grave.
[19] If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. [20] But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [1 Corinthians 15:19-20 ESV]
For the Christians in Asia Minor in AD 96, this presentation of Jesus Christ as the firstborn of the dead must have been a powerful reassurance to them. There had been at least one martyr in Pergamum - by the name of Antipas. There would be many more martyrs - it has been estimated that 40,000 Christians lost their life during the reign of the Emperor Domitian (AD 81 - 96). Martyrs feature prominently in the book of Revelation. Living in the Roman Empire as a Christian was always a risky business. They were going against the grain by refusing to participate in the worship of Roman gods and especially in the worship and veneration of the Emperor. By seeing the risen Christ, they were assured that he had conquered death. Death would be the last enemy to be destroyed, but the resurrection of Jesus removed the sting from death. There was hope beyond the grave.
Ruler of the kings of the earth.
Living in the Roman province of Asia Minor with the constant reminders of the power of the mighty Roman empire with its rulers claiming to be deity - giving themselves the title of son of the gods and expecting worship from men and women, it was a great assurance to be reminded that the real ruler is Jesus Christ. He is the king of kings - not the Emperor Domitian or whatever member of the dynasty held that honour.
[16] On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. [Revelation 19:16 ESV]
[14] They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” [Revelation 17:14]
For us today, we need to be reminded constantly that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the ruler of the kings of the earth. Men who seemed to be invincible are dead and buried. Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini were dictators in their lifetime but they died. We could produce a huge list of dictators and powerful rulers whose rule was ended with their death. Their power was limited in scope and in time. Our king, Jesus is all powerful and he is the ruler of the kings of the earth. Perhaps no one has had the courage to remind Vladimir Putin that his rule will come to an end and that the ruler of rulers is Jesus Christ. He would do well to 'kiss the Son lest he be angry - (Psalm 2:12). But it is good for us to finish with the reminder from that same Psalm - "Blessed are all who take refuge in him."
We are called to be faithful witnesses in the defence of Jesus Christ. It is easy to lower our standards and lower our loyalty and faithfulness to the One who was himself the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and who is the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Photo by Eberhard Grossgasteiger on Unsplash.
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