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. Revelation 1:5–6 NKJV
In today’s verses, John gives us reasons to exalt the Lord Jesus. The first reason is that He is the faithful witness. There are at least three times in the book of Revelation John uses this expression “faithful” in connection to the Lord Jesus (1:4–5; 3:14; 19:11). Here He is the faithful witness. There have been many witnesses here in this scene for the glory of God, but none of them were without fault. Only One was perfect, without spot or blemish, and only One could be called the faithful witness. From the manger to the cross, he was unswerving in His service. At the age of twelve we hear Him say, “Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Lk. 2:49). This faithful witness exclaimed, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (Jn. 4:34). He was the dependent servant who would rise up early in the morning to receive His direction from His Father (Mk. 1:35). As the faithful witness, He would declare, “For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth” (Jn. 18:37).
John uses this word witness at least 72 times in his writings, mostly of the Lord. In Revelation 3:14, we see Him as the “Faithful and True Witness,” in contrast to a professing church who was to be His witness till He return (Acts 1:8); yet the church has failed to be a true witness. In Revelation 19:11, He is seen as the “Faithful and True” who will judge in righteousness!
John begins to exalt the Lord Jesus by reminding us that while He was here, Christ was the faithful witness to the glory of God!