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Revelation 1:5
ESV and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood
NIV and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
NASB and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—
CSB and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has set us free from our sins by his blood,
NLT and from Jesus Christ. He is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world. All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us.
KJV And from Jesus Christ, 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,
NKJV 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,

What does Revelation 1:5 mean?

In this verse John describes Jesus Christ as "the faithful witness," because He is the truthful, reliable source of what is recorded in this revelation.

Jesus conquered death and arose from the grave. He was the first to rise from the dead in a glorified, everlasting body. As such, He is referred to as "the firstborn of the dead." His resurrection guarantees the resurrection of believers of the church age (1 Corinthians 15:12–28; Philippians 3:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16), the resurrection of tribulation martyrs (Revelation 20:4–6), the resurrection of Old Testament believers (Daniel 12:2), and the resurrection of the wicked dead of all periods of history (Revelation 20:12–13). Someday He will return to earth and reign over the nations. At that time every king will submit to His rule.

John points out that the ruler of kings is the believers' redeemer. In His deep love for us He shed His blood on the cross to end sin's tyranny over us.
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