John the Seer introduces Revelation as the record of events Jesus Christ revealed to him through an angel (vv.1-2). Thus, a clear indication is given that the message of Revelation came directly from Jesus. It was Jesus’ message of “what must soon take place”(1:1a), giving the impression of a continuous historical or futuristic perspective.
The message finds authentication in John’s claim that he testified “to everything he that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ”(1:2). In Revelation 1:3 John provides the first beatitude of his work. He promises that those who read or hear his prophecy and abide by it will be happy. The reason given is that the end time is close. Three groups are identified in this passage: those who read John’s work, those who hear it read, and “those who take to heart what is written in it.
It was supposed to be a circular document to be read in different churches. That way, the message would get across to the literate who could read and those who could only hear it read. Of course, neither reading nor hearing was good enough. It was more important to take the message of the book to heart so it could influence one’s life and determine the person’s attitude. Only in so doing would its desired goal be achieved, and only thus would blessings accrue to the one concerned.
John hinges on the urgency of the matter on the fact that the end of time was close. Given what was happening in the world at the time, and the situation of believers, there was the widespread belief among Christians that the Lord’s second coming was imminent. Since his coming would be a time of judgment for everyone, it was important for people to heed the message of his prophecy and live accordingly. Of course, the Lord’s second coming appears now to be closer to our time than to John’s time. Therefore reading, hearing, and taking the message of the Lord’s prophecy to heart seems to have a greater sense of urgency today than ever before.
Beginning at 1:4 Revelation is addressed as a letter. John presents his Greco-Roman world. He identifies himself as John, the addressor or writer of the letter. The letter is then addressed” to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Then come words of greetings-grace and peace the addressees from God himself, and from the spirits or angels who serve at his throne. Here John uses a paraphrase of the divine name (cf. Ex. 3:14-15) and so the word “God” is not mentioned. The greetings of grace and peace are not only from “God” and the spirits, but also from Jesus Christ. John then goes ahead in v.5 to identify Jesus.
The Identity of Jesus Christ
John identifies Jesus Christ in three ways: as the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. These epitaphs or designations of Jesus need clarification if one is to get a clear understanding of John’s identification of Jesus.
Jesus as the Faithful Witness: Jesus is the faithful witness in the sense of his full embodiment or representation of God to man. It pleased God “to have all fullness dwelling him” (Col. 1:19). In John 3:32ff, it is said that God placed everything in Jesus’ hand to bear testimony about him. Jesus’ testimony is true and comprehensive. Thus it was easy to assert that whoever believed in the Son would have eternal life, and that whoever rejected the Son would not see life, but that the wrath of God would remain on him (John 3:36).
Jesus also qualified as a faithful witness by his commitment to his mission and God’s purposes. In Philippians 2:5ff an indication is given not only of Jesus’ humility but of his obedience to death, “even death on a cross!” (Phil.2:8). It was this obedience that made God exalt him “to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name” (Phil.2:9). Jesus, therefore, is God’s faithful witness.
Jesus as the Firstborn from the Dead: Jesus was not only a faithful witness, but he was the first to be freed from the shackles or fetters of death, The gospel records provide an account of how Jesus resurrected from the dead and appeared to different disciples of his, authenticating that he was indeed risen. He thus became the first person to be resurrected from the dead (ref. Matt.28; Mark 16; Luke 24; John 20 and 21; 1 Corinthians 15).
In his letter to the believers in Corinth, the apostle Paul argued that Jesus Christ“ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20). He further contended that it was only based on the resurrection of Jesus that the Christian faith finds meaning. Without it, the faith of believers would be futile. By his resurrection, however, Jesus not only became the firstborn child from the dead or the first fruits of the dead but also the foundation for the resurrection of believers. (1 Cor.15:32). So although many more people will experience resurrection, Christ remains the firstborn child of the dead.
The Ruler of the Kings of the Earth: The Scripture says Christ is “the firstborn child from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy” (Col. 1:18b). Philippians2:9-11 expresses a similar understanding, asserting that because of Jesus’ humility and obedience even to death on a cross, “Again, in writing to Timothy the apostle Paul declared God is the “only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim.6:15). Since the fullness of God is said to dwell in Jesus Christ, identification of him as “the ruler of the kings of the earth” becomes tenable.
The identity of Jesus is therefore marked by victory. He is the victorious and faithful witness. His resurrection symbolized his victory over the forces of evil and death. As the firstborn from the dead, he has the right of rulership over the whole world. Of course, the world is only gradually, but surely, coming to terms with that fact. Christ’s identity of victory is, however, not limited only to him. He has bequeathed to his followers an identity of victory, as demonstrated by the nature of his relationship with them.
The Identity of Believers: Given the victory of Jesus, those who believe in him also bear a victorious identity. John the Seer outlined the characteristics of Jesus loves believers and has freed them from their sins by his blood. He has also made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father (Rev.1:6). To understand the implications of these marks of the believers’ identity, more would need to be said about each of them.
Believers Are Loved by Jesus: The love of Jesus for believers is grounded on God’s love for them. The Scripture asserts that God’s gift of his son, Jesus Christ, to the world, came as a result of his love for the world (John 3:16). God loved people for their good. They would have eternal life as they accept God’s offer of love in Jesus Christ, who confirmed this by accepting to die on behalf of the objects of his love, even while they were still in sin and therefore not deserving of it (Rom. 5:8).
The love of Christ for believers is not limited, however, to the ultimate goal of eternal life. He cares for their welfare even on this side of eternity. While on earth he taught people, fed them, and healed them. He declared his mission was to provide them with more abundant life, and prayed and worked towards the fulfilment of that mission (John 10:10b). As Jesus left the earth, God sent his Holy Spirit to continue the ministry of providing and sustaining abundant life to those who believed in Jesus Christ. There is no doubt therefore that a major identifying characteristic of believers is that they are loved by Jesus Christ.
Believers Are Freed by Jesus: Believers are also identified by their freedom in Jesus Christ. They have been freed from the fetters of sin and its destructive consequences by the blood of Jesus. That is, the death of Jesus on the cross, which involved the shedding of his blood, became the price paid for the sin of believers. As they repent of their sins and put their trust in Jesus, they gain a sense of freedom that ushers them into creative and abundant living.
In writing to fellow believers in Galatia, the apostle Paul declared: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free, “and then warned them against allowing themselves to be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Gal.5:1). Although Paul was ostensibly talking about the issue of circumcision in this context, his warning nonetheless would apply to anything-human traditions and institutions, ambition, etc.-that could re-enslave one. In such a re-enslavement the believer ‘is bound to lose the freedom, and the consequent creativity and abundant living, he or she enjoys in Jesus Christ.
Later in this same correspondence, Paul reminded the Christians in Galatia that liberty was not libertinism nor freedom licentiousness. In Gal 5:13 he warned that although called to freedom in Jesus Christ, believers must not use their freedom to indulge their sinful nature. Rather they are to use it to serve one another in love. Freedom for the Christian thus requires an enormous sense of responsibility. Whichever way one looks at it, however, freedom remains an important identifying characteristic of believers in Jesus Christ.
Believers Have Been Made a Kingdom and Priests: Jesus has given believers a new identity. They now constitute a new kingdom, a kingdom of priests. Since the gospel embodies the message that those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ become part and parcel of his kingdom, it is not surprising that believers are identified as constituting a kingdom. They are no longer citizens of this world but of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, even while physically living on this earth.
John the Seer’s identification of believers as a new kingdom and priests resonates with a similar description of them in 1 Peter 2:9-10. There they are described as“ a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. “All these descriptions identify believers as the special people of God. It is also in these that the Baptist belief in the priesthood of believers finds its roots. Believers are royal priests in the new kingdom established by Jesus Christ. That too is a major identifying characteristic of believers.
All the identifying characteristics of believers, as explained above, are marks of victory. Since Jesus emerged victorious the point of being declared a faithful witness, the firstborn child from the dead, and the King of kings who are associated with him invariably acquire an identity of victory. Believers in Jesus Christ have the identity of victory, like their master.
