Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Portraits of Christ


E. J. Davis


There are several portraits of Christ in The book of Revelation. Three of them are found in one verse – Rev. 1:5. “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.” This whole book of Revelation is a revelation of Christ, He is revealed, uncovered, for us to see. It is God‘s will that we be well informed of the full manifestation of Christ, past, present and future. We learn how the Son of man has been rewarded by the Father, what works and offices are assigned unto the meek Lamb of God, especially as head of His body the church and as our great High Priest, interceding on our behalf to the Father. And in the Father’s time He will descend from heaven to be revealed to all the earth.
He is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead and the prince of the kings of the earth. It was prophesied, Isa. 55:4 –  “Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.” Ps. 89:27 - “Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.” Jesus said, “to this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth” (Jn. 18:37). He faithfully witnessed of His Father while on earth, (in His office as prophet). He gave His life an offering for sin, satisfying the government of God and was restored to life, becoming the first fruits of resurrection, the first born from the dead (to begin His office as Priest). Therefore God hath highly exalted Him, far above all principalities and powers, that at His name every knee should bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ, is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (His office as King).
He loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood (V. 5), And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (V. 6).
We now rejoice in princely blood, children of the living God. We can reign over the world and our fleshly nature and meet the devils onslaughts with the Word of God in the name of Jesus. We reign by letting Christ’s life rule in us. As priests we have communion with God, our Father and pray for others and also give the Word of God to as many as we have contact. I want God to be glorified by my life. May He have complete dominion and may I say – amen!
V. 7, “Behold, he cometh with clouds (or crowds of saints); and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him (Israel): and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” We will be with Him when He comes to judge the earth (Rev. 19:14). We will agree with Him and say as John, “Even so, Amen!”