TO HIM WHO LOVED US
Revelation 1:5-6 NKJV
5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
We are now in The Revelation. This book was written by the apostle John when he was in exile on the island of Patmos because of his work spreading the message of Jesus. The book is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood in the entire Bible. There are amazing prophetic words about what will take place in the last days. There are also glimpses of what takes place in heaven, and in our verses for today, a reminder of how awesome and majestic the Lord Jesus is.
John, who had a vision of Jesus, proclaimed Him as the faithful witness and the firstborn from the dead. Jesus was faithful to God and to the plan that God had for Him. Remembering that Jesus laid aside His heavenly privilege and power and operated as a man who was equipped by the Holy Spirit. Keeping that in mind makes His obedience more impressive. He did not function as God, which is why He is such a great example for us.
And being the firstborn from the dead would indicate that there are those who are also raised as well. Paul wrote that we have been raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1). Jesus is the first, and we are the ones who have been spiritually raised up from the dead also.
Jesus is the ruler over the kings of the earth. He is, above all the rulers of the earth seated on the right hand of God. And there will come a day when His rule extends to the entire earth. There will not be any choices as far as who is ruling. He will be the one supreme ruler. Paul wrote that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess the Lordship of Jesus (Philippians 2:9-11).
And to Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Wow! Is that ever saying a lot! He loved us and still does. And His love was not mere words. He poured out His own blood on the cross. That blood was the price paid for all mankind that washed away our sins. John the Baptist was the one who labeled Jesus the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus not only cleansed us from our sins. He positioned us differently. No longer are we poor sinners cleansed but pitiful. Jesus made us kings and priests to God. Some translations say we are a kingdom of priests. But because Peter called us a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), I am going with the king thing. The idea that we are royalty is appealing to me and congruent with the scriptures. After all, Jesus is the King of Kings, and we are His family. And to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Dominion being strength or mighty power. We can safely say that Jesus is the most powerful person in the universe. So, He deserves all the glory for who He is and what He has done.
APPLICATION
The best way to apply these verses to our lives is by giving Jesus honor with how we live our lives. Paul may have said it best when he stated that we no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died for us and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:15).
PRAYER
Thank You, Lord, for what You have done for me. You have cleansed me and made me something I could have never been on my own. I purpose to operate in my role as a royal priest unto my God and Father.