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
1:5 And from Jesus Christ, {5} [who is] the 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,
(5) A most ample and honourable commendation of Christ, first from his offices of the priesthood and kingdom: secondly from his benefits, as his love toward us, and washing us with his blood, in this verse, and communication of his kingdom and priesthood with us: thirdly, from his eternal glory and power, which is always to be celebrated by us; Re 1:6 Finally, from the accomplishment of all things once to be effected by him, at his second coming, at which time he shall openly destroy the wicked, and comfort the godly in the truth; Re 1:7.
1:5 And from Jesus Christ. Some of the glories of Christ, the third whose grace is invoked, are named.
The faithful witness. Because all that he ways is faithful and true.
The first begotten of the dead. See PNT Col 1:18. Through Christ's resurrection from the dead life and immortality were brought to light for us all. Hence he is called the first born.
The prince of the kings of the earth. The rightful ruler of all the rulers of the earth.
Unto him that loved us. The tense is present, as in the Revised Version: Unto him that loveth us. His love never ceases.
And washed us from our sins in his own blood. Rather, as in the Revised Version, loosed us. This was done by the shedding of his blood.
1:5 And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first begotten from the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth - Three glorious appellations are here given him, and in their proper order. He was the faithful witness of the whole will of God before his death, and in death, and remains such in glory. He rose from the dead, as the first fruits of them that slept; and now hath all power both in heaven and earth. He is here styled a prince: but by and by he hears his title of king; yea, King of kings, and Lord of lords. This phrase, the kings of the earth, signifies their power and multitude, and also the nature of their kingdom. It became the Divine Majesty to call them kings with a limitation; especially in this manifesto from his heavenly kingdom; for no creature, much less a sinful man, can bear the title of king in an absolute sense before the eyes of God.
1:4-8 There can be no true peace, where there is not true grace; and where grace goeth before, peace will follow. This blessing is in the name of God, of the Holy Trinity, it is an act of adoration. The Father is first named; he is described as the Jehovah who is, and who was, and who is to come, eternal, unchangeable. The Holy Spirit is called the seven spirits, the perfect Spirit of God, in whom there is a diversity of gifts and operations. The Lord Jesus Christ was from eternity, a Witness to all the counsels of God. He is the First-born from the dead, who will by his own power raise up his people. He is the Prince of the kings of the earth; by him their counsels are overruled, and to him they are accountable. Sin leaves a stain of guilt and pollution upon the soul. Nothing can fetch out this stain but the blood of Christ; and Christ shed his own blood to satisfy Divine justice, and purchase pardon and purity for his people. Christ has made believers kings and priests to God and his Father. As such they overcome the world, mortify sin, govern their own spirits, resist Satan, prevail with God in prayer, and shall judge the world. He has made them priests, given them access to God, enabled them to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices, and for these favours they are bound to ascribe to him dominion and glory for ever. He will judge the world. Attention is called to that great day when all will see the wisdom and happiness of the friends of Christ, and the madness and misery of his enemies. Let us think frequently upon the second coming of Christ. He shall come, to the terror of those who wound and crucify him by apostacy: he shall come, to the astonishment of the whole world of the ungodly. He is the Beginning and the End; all things are from him and for him; he is the Almighty; the same eternal and unchanged One. And if we would be numbered with his saints in glory everlasting, we must now willing submit to him receive him, and honour him as a saviour, who we believe will come to be our Judge. Alas, that there should be many, who would wish never to die, and that there should not be a day of judgment!
Bathe Begotten Blood Born Christ Clean Dead Earth Faithful First First-Begotten Firstborn First-Born Freed Jesus Kings Loves Loveth Prince Released Ruler Sins True. Truthful Washed Witness
Bathe Begotten Blood Born Christ Clean Dead Earth Faithful First First-Begotten Firstborn First-Born Freed Jesus Kings Loves Loveth Prince Released Ruler Sins True. Truthful Washed Witness
