The Person and Work of Christ
Revelation 1: 4-6
Vs. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia. Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is , and which was, and which is to come: and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne.
Vs.5 And from Jesus Christ, who is a faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.
Vs. 6 and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Intro: The book of Revelation written by the Apostle John about AD 96 after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. According to C I Scofield "the book is presented in a threefold way. (1) As to Time: "which is, and which was and which is to come:
(2) As to relationships- to the churches, to the Tribulation, to the kingdom yet to come, and (3) In His Office - High Priest, Bridegroom, King/Judge."
In this study we would like to consider the topic and text in light of one if the threefold way.. John wrote to the seven churches which are in Asia with the salutation, Grace and peace from him which is, which was and which is to come. And from Jesus Christ who is the (1) Faithful Witness. He is that faithful witness, that true witness, that reliable witness according to John 5.33-39, John 8.18, Rev. 3.14.and as the second Person of the Godhead we think of the Immutability of God. Heb. 6:18. Therefore we believe His word. (2) The First Begotten the dead or the first one to have been declared dead, placed in a tomb and then to rise again. " But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the firstfruit of then that slept.1 Corinthians 15.20, Christ the firstfruit afterwards they that are Christ at his coming. 1 Cor. 15.23.. (3) The Prince of the kings of the earth, or the ruler of all kings of the earth, who rule in the affairs of men , and as the Omniscient one, nothing goes without His knowledge.
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. We think of the Incomparable and Incomprehensible love of God , for while we think of a Slave/Master relationship love, Exodus. 21.1-6, and while we think of the love between David and Jonathan 1 Samuel 1.26, which love also was shown to Mephibosheth 2nd Sam 9: 1-13. we see the Love of God to be more far reaching for His love is Universal, John 3.16, His love is Great. John 15.3, His love is Everlasting Jeremiah 31.3, His love is Freely, Hosea 14.4. The song writer said "He loved me ere I knew Him" We have been loved before we have been washed from our sins. " O the love that sought me, O the blood that bought me, O the grace that brought be in the fold, wondrous grace that brought me to the fold".
Unto Him that loved us, and Washed us from our sins. As we believe in His great love for us even to die for our sins. As we accept His shed blood as meeting God's righteous demand that we be cleansed from our sins, Instantly we are washed from all our sins and made clean in the presence of God. 1 Cor. 6. 9-11. "What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus."
VS. 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God. He hath made us a community of believer/priests, and as such we have direct access to a holy God to present our worship , Supplications and Intercessions at any time and any where. with Jesus Christ as our mediator 1 Timothy 2: 5. What grace to us the undeserving. " Why stand we then without in fear, the blood of Christ invites us near."
Finally we say If you have not received Christ as your Savior, you can do so as you read this, and all the blessings from Revelation 1. 5-6 will be yours for ever. God bless you.