TO HIM ALONE
Revelation 1: 5-6 NKJ
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 and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
The Revelation is the official title of the last book of the Bible. This is the book that focuses primarily on prophetic events. The title means unveiling or disclosure. It is also known as the Apocalypse meaning unveiling or revelation. Another reference is that the book is called The Revelation of Jesus Christ. This indicates the book is a revelation that came from Jesus or is a revelation about Jesus. And both meanings work. So, if you, like me, have been calling this book Revelations now we know better.
In the past I have expressed my challenge with the book of Revelation. The challenge for me is coming up with good devotional material when the book delves into some of the visions and symbols of what is taking place in the last days. So fair warning, when I am at a loss, instead of speculating I will pull from our readings from the Old Testament or Psalms or Proverbs. Do I recommend reading Revelation? Absolutely, the third verse of the first chapter states blessed are those who read and hear the words of this prophecy and keep what is written for the time is near. So, I wholeheartedly endorse reading the entire book and if the time was near in the apostle John’s day it is much nearer now.
The book was written by the apostle John one of Jesus’ original twelve disciples. John had been banished to the island of Patmos for his work in spreading the gospel of Christ. Jesus appears to John and reveals messages to the seven churches. John also has visions of the throne room of God and the things that will take place on the earth. Don’t allow yourself to be disturbed by what will take place in the end Jesus wins and all is set right.
John describes Jesus as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler over the kings of the earth. Jesus was and is the faithful witness of God. He was the firstborn from the dead. Those of us who have received Him are also born again from spiritual death. And Jesus is the ruler over all the rulers of the earth. He may not be the ruler now, but that day is coming.
What John describes next is not a prophecy but rather a spiritual reality. Jesus loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Peter used similar language in his letter reminding the believers that we have been cleansed from our old sins. Jesus cleansed us with His own blood because He loved us. To Him who made us kings and priests to God. Other translations read that He made us a kingdom of priests to God. Either way He made us what we could not make ourselves. Now we need no man to appear before God on our behalf. We can enter the most holy place and offer spiritual sacrifices of our praise, worship and thanksgiving. To Jesus, not us, belong all the glory and power forever and ever. That forever and ever is something we are unaccustomed to. We live in such an ever changing temporary world but His kingdom and His glory and His power will never change, never need to be voted in or out never need amending forever and ever. Amen!
PRAYER
Thank You Lord for loving me and washing me from my sins in your own blood. Thank You for making me a royal priest to our God and Father. I give all the glory to You forever and ever. Amen.