◄ Revelation 1:5 ►
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has released us from our sins by His blood,
Study Bible
and from Jesus Christ,

Jesus Christ is the divine source of this revelation and the One through whom God’s purposes are made known to His people. The greeting joins the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son, affirming Christ’s full place in the Godhead. He is the promised Messiah, the mediator between God and humanity, and the Lord whose return Revelation announces.

Rom 1:7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints…
1Co 1:3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father…

the faithful witness,

Jesus perfectly revealed the character, truth, and will of God throughout His earthly ministry. Before Pilate, He declared that He had come into the world to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37). His testimony remained faithful even when it led to rejection, suffering, and death on the cross.

Jhn 18:37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. You say that I am a king…
1Ti 6:13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life…
Heb 3:2 He was faithful to the One who appointed Him…

the firstborn from the dead,

Christ rose bodily from the grave, conquering sin and death and inaugurating the resurrection life promised to all who belong to Him. His resurrection was not merely a return to mortal life but the beginning of the new creation. As the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep, He guarantees the future resurrection of His people (1 Corinthians 15:20–23).

Col 1:18 And He is the head of the body, the church;…
Act 26:23 that the Christ would suffer, and as the first to rise…

and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

Earthly rulers exercise only temporary and delegated authority. Jesus reigns above every throne, kingdom, and power, whether or not the nations acknowledge Him. Psalm 2 and Daniel 7 anticipate His universal dominion, which will be openly established when He returns in glory.

Psa 89:27 I will indeed appoint him as My firstborn,…
Psa 72:11 May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.
1Ti 6:15 which the blessed and only Sovereign One—the King of kings……

To Him who loves us

Christ’s love for His people is active, personal, and enduring. He loved His own to the end (John 13:1), and nothing can separate believers from the love of God found in Him (Romans 8:35–39).

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live,…
Jhn 15:9 As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you.…

and has released us from our sins by His blood,

Jesus accomplished a complete deliverance from sin’s guilt and condemnation through His sacrificial death. His shed blood fulfilled the Old Testament pattern of atoning sacrifice and established the new covenant promised by God. Forgiveness, cleansing, and freedom belong to those redeemed by the Lamb who gave Himself for them.

Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood,…
Col 1:14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
Central figure in Christianity, recognized as the Son of God, Savior, and Redeemer. In this verse, He is described with three significant titles.

2. Faithful Witness
This title emphasizes Jesus' role in testifying to the truth of God, His character, and His mission on earth. The Greek word for "witness" is "martys," which can also mean "martyr," highlighting His ultimate sacrifice.

3. Firstborn from the Dead
This title signifies Jesus' resurrection, affirming His victory over death and His preeminence in all creation. The Greek term "prototokos" indicates both priority and supremacy.

4. Ruler of the Kings of the Earth
This title asserts Jesus' sovereignty over all earthly powers, emphasizing His ultimate authority and the fulfillment of God's kingdom.

5. Release from Sins by His Blood
This event refers to the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, which provides redemption and forgiveness for believers.
Teaching Points
Faithfulness in Witnessing
As Jesus is the "faithful witness," believers are called to faithfully testify to the truth of the Gospel in their lives.

Hope in Resurrection
Jesus as the "firstborn from the dead" assures believers of their future resurrection and eternal life.

Acknowledging Christ's Sovereignty
Recognizing Jesus as the "ruler of the kings of the earth" encourages believers to trust in His ultimate authority over worldly powers.

Gratitude for Redemption
Reflecting on the release from sins by Jesus' blood should inspire gratitude and a commitment to live a life honoring His sacrifice.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding Jesus as the "faithful witness" influence your approach to sharing your faith with others?

2. In what ways does the title "firstborn from the dead" provide comfort and hope in your daily life?

3. How can acknowledging Jesus as the "ruler of the kings of the earth" impact your perspective on current world events and leadership?

4. Reflect on the significance of being released from your sins by Jesus' blood. How does this truth affect your relationship with God and others?

5. How can you practically express gratitude for the redemption you have received through Jesus in your everyday actions and decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Colossians 1:18
This verse also refers to Jesus as the "firstborn from the dead," reinforcing His preeminence and role in the resurrection.

John 18:37
Jesus speaks of His purpose to testify to the truth, aligning with His title as the "faithful witness."

Psalm 89:27
This Old Testament reference to the "firstborn" and "highest of the kings of the earth" foreshadows the titles given to Jesus in Revelation.

Ephesians 1:7
Discusses redemption through Jesus' blood, paralleling the release from sins mentioned in Revelation 1:5.
Sermons
The Work of WorksD. Thomas Revelation 1:5
Man Divinely DignifiedD. Thomas Revelation 1:4, 5
The Apostolic SalutationR. Green Revelation 1:4-7
A Glorified ChristJ. R. Miller, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
A Ministerial Salutation and a Sublime DoxologyJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 1:4-9
A Threefold Description of ChristT. Horton, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ and the SoulDavid Thomas, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ as MediatorHomilistRevelation 1:4-9
Christ for EverF. Ferguson, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christians a Royal PriesthoodW. Nixon.Revelation 1:4-9
Christians are KingsRevelation 1:4-9
Christ's Eternal SacrificeE. Mason, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ's Love to Us in Washing Us from Our SinsT. Horton, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ's Measureless LoveJohn Adam, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Christ's Present Love, and its Great OutcomeA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
GraceB. Hoffmann.Revelation 1:4-9
How Wonderful that Christ Should Love UsH. W. Beecher.Revelation 1:4-9
Jesus His Own WitnessA. C. Dixon.Revelation 1:4-9
John's First DoxologyC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 1:4-9
John's Song of Praise to ChristJ. J. Brown.Revelation 1:4-9
Kings and PriestsA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Living LoveJohn Robertson.Revelation 1:4-9
Loved and LavedC. H. Spurgeon.Revelation 1:4-9
Omnipotence, Omniscience, OmnipresenceJames Young.Revelation 1:4-9
Praise to ChristR. Watson.Revelation 1:4-9
ThanksgivingJ. R. Miller, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Believer's Acknowledgment of Christ's LoveW. Cunningham, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The DedicationG. Rogers.Revelation 1:4-9
The Filthy Can be Made CleanSilas Jones.Revelation 1:4-9
The Gifts of Christ as Witness, Risen and CrownedA. Maclaren, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Humility and Dignity of the Christian LifeJ. S. Exell, M. A.Revelation 1:4-9
The Love of ChristT. McCrie, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Love of ChristJames Buchanan.Revelation 1:4-9
The Love of Christ in RedemptionJ. Witherspoon, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Measureless Love of ChristW. Hannay, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Proper Object of All Religious Worship is the Living and True GodJames Young.Revelation 1:4-9
The Redeemed Ascribing Glory to ChristG. Campbell.Revelation 1:4-9
The Resources of ChristianityWayland Hoyt, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
The Responsibility of ExaltationT. de Witt Talmage.Revelation 1:4-9
The Risen Christ the Only Revealer of ImmortalityE. L. Hull, B. A.Revelation 1:4-9
The Trustworthiness of Jesus ChristW. Hay Aitken, M. A.Revelation 1:4-9
The Work of WorksDavid Thomas, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Views of ChristDavid Thomas, D. D.Revelation 1:4-9
Doxology; Or, the Upspringing of PraiseS. Conway Revelation 1:5, 6
Christ and the SoulD. Thomas Revelation 1:5-7
People
John
Places
Ephesus, Laodicea, Patmos, Pergamum, Philadelphia, Sardis, Smyrna, Thyatira
Topics
TRUE, Begotten, Blood, Blood-, Born, Christ, Clean, Dead, Faithful, First-begotten, Firstborn, First-born, Freed, Kings, Loosed, Love, Loved, Loves, Loveth, Prince, Released, Ruler, Sins, Truthful, Washed, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 1:5

     1035   God, faithfulness
     1085   God, love of
     2021   Christ, faithfulness
     2048   Christ, love of
     2069   Christ, pre-eminence
     2203   Christ, titles of
     2312   Christ, as king
     2321   Christ, as redeemer
     2530   Christ, death of
     5509   rulers
     5688   firstborn
     6511   salvation
     6634   deliverance
     6648   expiation
     6660   freedom, through Christ
     6662   freedom, abuse
     8203   character
     8496   witnessing, importance

Revelation 1:4-5

     1511   Trinity, relationships in

Revelation 1:4-7

     8634   amen

Revelation 1:5-6

     2018   Christ, divinity
     2324   Christ, as Saviour
     2345   Christ, kingdom of
     6723   redemption, NT
     7317   blood, of Christ
     7769   priests, NT types
     8624   worship, reasons

Library
May 10. "I am Alive Forevermore" (Rev. I. 18).
"I am alive forevermore" (Rev. i. 18). Here is the message of the Christ of the cross and the still more glorious and precious Christ of the resurrection. It is beautiful and inspiring to note the touch of light and glory with which these simple words invest the cross. It is not said I am He that was dead and liveth, but "I am He that liveth and was dead, but am alive forevermore." Life is mentioned before the death. There are two ways of looking at the cross. One is from the death side and the other …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

The Glorious Master and the Swooning Disciple
If our conceptions of the Lord Jesus are very enlarged, they will only be his due. We cannot exaggerate here. He deserves higher praise than we can ever render to him. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high is be above our loftiest conceptions. Even when the angels strike their loudest notes, and chant his praises most exultingly on their highest festal days, the music falls far short of his excellence. He is higher than a seraph's most soaring thought! Rise then, my brethren, as on …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 18: 1872

10Th Day. Dying Grace.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "I have the keys of hell and of death."--REV. i. 18. Dying Grace. And from whom could dying grace come so welcome, as from Thee, O blessed Jesus? Not only is Thy name, "The Abolisher of Death;" but Thou didst thyself die! Thou hast sanctified the grave by Thine own presence, and divested it of all its terrors. My soul! art thou at times afraid of this, thy last enemy? If the rest of thy pilgrimage-way be peaceful and unclouded, rests there a dark and portentous …
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

Swooning and Reviving Christ's Feet.
AN ADDRESS DELIVERED AT THE CLOSE OF ONE OF THE PASTORS' COLLEGE CONFERENCES. "And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold. I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."--Revelation i. 17, 18. SWOONING AND REVIVING AT CHRIST'S FEET. WE have nothing now to think of but our Lord. We come to Him that He may cause us to forget all others. …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come

The Fear of God.
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last and the Living one.'--Rev. i. 17, 18. It is not alone the first beginnings of religion that are full of fear. So long as love is imperfect, there is room for torment. That lore only which fills the heart--and nothing but love can fill any heart--is able to cast out fear, leaving no room for its presence. What we find in the beginnings of religion, will hold in varying …
George MacDonald—Unspoken Sermons

Catalogue of his Works.
There is no absolutely complete edition of Eusebius' extant works. The only one which can lay claim even to relative completeness is that of Migne: Eusebii Pamphili, Cæsareæ Palestinæ Episcopi, Opera omnia quæ extant, curis variorum, nempe: Henrici Valesii, Francisci Vigeri, Bernardi Montfauconii, Card. Angelo Maii edita; collegit et denuo recognovit J. P. Migne. Par. 1857. 6 vols. (tom. XIX.-XXIV. of Migne's Patrologia Græca). This edition omits the works which are …
Eusebius Pamphilius—Church History

The First and the Last
This title is used in Rev. i. 11. It is used again in 1. 17, ii. 8, and xxii. 13, but is never found in connection with "the Church of God." On the other hand, it is a title closely associated with "the Jew and the Gentile," as the following Scriptures will testify. Is. xli. 4, 5: "Who hath wrought and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, THE FIRST AND LAST; I am He. The isles saw it, and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid." Is. xliv. 6: "Thus saith the Lord, the …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

The Lord's Day
In Rev. i. 9 we are told that John saw and received this revelation on "the Lord's Day." Leaving the former part of this verse for the present, let us notice the latter expression, "the Lord's Day." [4] The majority of people, being accustomed from their infancy to hear the first day of the week called the Lord's Day, conclude in their own minds that that day is thus called in Rev. i. 9 because that was the name of it. But the contrary is the fact: the day is so called by us because of this verse. …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

A Great Voice
This expression links on the book of Revelation to the book of Deuteronomy, especially if we regard it in the connection with the fire, with which it is associated in each case. Ten times is the voice of God speaking "out of the midst of the fire" heard in Deuteronomy: viz., chaps. iv. 12,15,33,36; v. 4,22(19) [36] , 23(20), 24(21), 25(21), 26(23). Here, in Rev. i. 10, John hears "a great voice," and it is connected with fire, for the eyes of the speaker were "as a flame of fire" (ver. 14) and his …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Call to China and Voyage Hence
The known facts in regard to John Talmage's boyhood and youthful days are few. Of the known facts some perhaps are too trivial, others too sacred to bear mention. The sapling grew. Of the inner and outer circles of growth there is but brief record. He spent his boyhood at a quiet country hamlet, Gateville, New Jersey. On the ridge swung the toll-gate, and a little beyond might be heard the hum and rattle of the grist-mill. His father kept the toll-gate. John was a fine horseman, and found great sport …
Rev. John Gerardus Fagg—Forty Years in South China

Within the Holiest
Gerhard Ter Steegen Rev. i. 5, 6 His priest am I, before Him day and night, Within His Holy Place; And death, and life, and all things dark and bright, I spread before His Face. Rejoicing with His joy, yet ever still, For silence is my song My work to bend beneath His blessed will, All day, and all night long-- For ever holding with Him converse sweet, Yet speechless, for my gladness is complete. …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Moreover, to Give a Fuller Demonstration of this Point...
[2829] Rev. i. 5 [2830] 1 Cor. xv. 23 [2831] 1 Cor. xv. 42-4 [2832] animale. [2833] Phil. iii. 21 …
Various—Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.

The Fire of Love --Book I
Chapter I Note iii., p. 16--C. reads: for thai vnmanerly wyth warldly mone has armyd tham self.' But L. quia terrenas pecunias immoderate amauerunt'; which is probably correct, and which I have therefore followed. Note iv., p. 17--an omission in C. L., reads: Erumpit enim in ostensione operis feruor amoris.' Note v., p. 18--Another omission L. et qui ad amandum deum semper sunt auidi.' Chapter II Note vi., p. 20 The Bible references are to the Vulgate of Sixtus V and Clement VII, and where the …
Richard Rolle—The Fire of Love

The Source of Power
'And the Angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2. And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold, a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps which are upon the top thereof: 3. And two olive-trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4. So I answered and spake to the Angel that talked with …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Sight of the Crowned Christ
(Revelation, Chapter i.) "Since mine eyes were fixed on Jesus, I've lost sight of all beside, So enchained my spirit's vision, Looking at the Crucified." "The Lord Christ passed my humble cot: I knew him, yet I knew him not; But as I oft had done before, I hurried through my narrow door To touch His garment's hem. "He drew me to a place apart From curious crowd and noisy mart; And as I sat there at His feet I caught the thrill of His heart-beat Beyond His garment's hem. "Rare was the bread He broke …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

Love's Complaining
Hence our Lord's fitness to deal with the churches, which are these golden lamp-stands, for no one knows so much about the lamps as the person whose constant work it is to watch them and trim them. No one knows the churches as Jesus does, for the care of all the churches daily comes upon him, he continually walks among them, and holds their ministers as stars in his right hand. His eyes are perpetually upon the churches, so that he knows their works, their sufferings, and their sins; and those eyes …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

Our Lord Appears after his Ascension.
^F I. Cor. XV. 8. ^f 8 and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also. [Since Paul reckons this among the bodily appearances of our Lord, we have included it in our work; but it borders upon those spiritual appearances which belong rather to apostolic history and may be classed with the vision of Stephen (Acts vii. 55) and John (Rev. i. 9-17), to which it was near kin. Accounts of the appearance will be found in the ninth, twenty-second and twenty-sixth chapters of Acts. For …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Living One
"I am He that liveth, and was dead" (i. 18). (...) (ho zon), THE LIVING ONE. Like the previous title, it is used as a special designation of the One whose unveiling is about to be shewn to John. Its use is peculiar to Daniel and Revelation. The two books thus linked together by it are linked as to their character and subject matter in a very special manner. It is used twice in Daniel:- Dan. iv. 34 (31 [19] ) and xii. 7; and six time in Revelation:- Rev. i. 18; iv. 9,10; v. 14; x. 6; and xv. 7. [20] …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Lord God
In i. 8 the title "god" must be added to the word "Lord," according to all the Critical Greek Texts [14] and the R.V. In chap. xxii. 6 we have the same title. Thus at the end of the book and at the beginning we have this peculiar title, which seems to enclose all that the book contains, and stamp it all with that which the title signifies. What is signifies is clear from the place where we first find it, vix., in the second of the twelve divisions of Genesis (chap. ii. 4 - iv. 26). This division …
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Letter v. Yes, My Dear Friend, it is My Conviction that in all Ordinary Cases the Knowledge...
Yes, my dear friend, it is my conviction that in all ordinary cases the knowledge and belief of the Christian Religion should precede the study of the Hebrew Canon. Indeed, with regard to both Testaments, I consider oral and catechismal instruction as the preparative provided by Christ himself in the establishment of a visible Church. And to make the Bible, apart from the truths, doctrines, and spiritual experiences contained therein, the subject of a special article of faith, I hold an unnecessary …
Samuel Taylor Coleridge—Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit etc

The Royal Priesthood
Gerhard Ter Steegen Jer. xxxiii. 18; Rev. i. 6 The race of God's anointed priests shall never pass away; Before His glorious Face they stand, and serve Him night and day. Though reason raves, and unbelief flows on, a mighty flood, There are, and shall be, till the end, the hidden priests of God. His chosen souls, their earthly dross consumed in sacred fire, To God's own heart their hearts ascend in flame of deep desire; The incense of their worship fills His Temple's holiest place; Their song with …
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Communion Again Broken --Restoration
Cant. v. 2-vi.10. The fourth section commences with an address of the bride to the daughters of Jerusalem, in which she narrates her recent sad experience, and entreats their help in her trouble. The presence and comfort of her Bridegroom are again lost to her; not this time by relapse into worldliness, but by slothful self-indulgence. We are not told of the steps that led to her failure; of how self again found place in her heart. Perhaps spiritual pride in the achievements which grace enabled her …
J. Hudson Taylor—Union and Communion

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