Add parallel Print Page Options

and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness,[a] the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. He loves us and has washed away our sins with his blood and made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen.[b]

Behold, he is coming with the clouds;
    every eye will see him,
    even those who pierced him.
All the peoples of the earth will mourn him.
    So shall it be. Amen.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Revelation 1:5 Faithful witness: the Messiah is the witness to the promise the Lord made to David (2 Sam 7:1; Ps 89; Isa 55:3-4; Zec 12:8) in his person as well as in his work. He also fulfills this promise and is thus the efficacious Word, God’s Yes (see Rev 3:14; 19:11, 13; 2 Cor 1:20). He is the heir of David (see Rev 5:5; 22:16) but also the firstborn from the dead because of his Resurrection (see Col 1:18) who will rule the universe after his enemies have been overcome (see Rev 19:6; Dan 7:14).
  2. Revelation 1:6 Those who follow Christ will be part of a kingdom, because they will rule over all the nations (see Isa 54:11-17; Dan 7:22, 27; Zec 12:1-3; see Rev 2:26; 5:10; 20:6; 22:5). They will also be priests because like Jesus the Priest they offer up the sacrifice of their own lives as a burnt offering of love.