Revelation 1:5b the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.
Christ was the first to be resurrected, to see death no more, Colossians 1:18, Romans 6:9. The firstborn, in Jewish tradition and Scripture, was the inheritor of the father’s estate. All that belonged to the father would be the son’s. Those who, through faith in the Lord, received the Second Birth belong to Christ as part of the Father’s estate, John 10:29.
Revelation 1:5a and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,
In verse 4 we have mention of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. Now, in verse 5, we have mention of God the Son. Yes, the word Trinity does not directly appear in Scripture. But the concept and contextual argument for the Trinity abounds in Scripture.
Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne.
John employs the first use of the mention of 7 in Revelation. This number, which Biblically signifies completion, occurs 54 times in this book; twice in this verse alone. The choice of using the number seven for the churches John writes to may have particular significance.
I come to you today with a prayer request for my family; more specifically for my father-in-law, who has been contending with prostate cancer for a count of years, and it has finally progressed to needing treatment.
Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.
The book of Revelation comes with a special blessing for those who first read, and then hear the words of this prophecy. There are two camps identified here: those who read Revelation, and those who listen. First there is a blessing to the reader of this prophecy. Bible teachers are flatly told that there is a blessing in reading this prophecy to others. Readers are informed that hearing these words–hearing and genuinely listening–is also a blessing.
