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.” (Revelation 1:5–6, NKJV)
Majestic attributions are given Jesus Christ in verse 5 (faithful witness, firstborn from the dead, and ruler of kings). Then, John draws our attention to Christ’s actions toward us. First, Jesus “loved us” (v. 5). The full expression of His love is witnessed in His cruel death of suffering and sorrow, the just for the unjust, to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18: John 15:13). Second, Jesus “washed us from our sins in His own blood” (v. 5). God does His work of redemption when the sinner is baptized into Christ’s death. It is in this action of faith that His saving blood cleanses sins (Romans 6:3; Acts 22:16; Colossians 2:12). (Only baptism puts sinners into the death of Jesus, Romans 6:3.) Third, Jesus “made us kings and priests to His God and Father” (v. 6). Every Christian is a priest who offers spiritual sacrifices of service and praise to God (1 Peter 2:5; Hebrews 13:15). Christians compose the church, Christ’s kingdom (a “royal priesthood” and a “holy nation,” 1 Peter 2:9). Christians share in the blessings of Christ’s kingdom now, while expecting entrance into the everlasting kingdom of the Lord (Colossians 1:13; 2 Peter 1:10-11). As so, we praise and honor Jesus Christ, “to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
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