The Firstborn From The Dead

“…Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”

Revelation 1:5 (NIV) 

The Resurrection of Jesus changes everything. 

In the book of Romans Paul tells us that creation  “will be liberated from its bondage to decay” (8:20-21). The Resurrection is the beginning of that liberation. The natural order of death did not happen. Instead of Christ’s body rotting in the grave it was brought back to life and renewed eternally. Jesus continues to be the union of God and humankind. 

Thus the Resurrection is the inspiration for our hope. “Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead also comes through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ will all be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22). For us Jesus is now the connection between the present and eternity. In him we are a new creation. 

When John was writing to the readers of the Book of Revelation his desire was to encourage them. Great persecutions were taking place. People were being tortured and killed because they claimed the Risen Christ as Lord. So in his introductory remarks John reminds believers of their hope. Jesus is the firstborn of the dead. There is a life after this life. In him Christians too will rise from the dead. Death has been conquered. 

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you” (Romans 8:11). 

Prayer

Glorious Father, thank you that you raised Jesus to be the firstborn from the dead, and that through his resurrection we have an eternal hope.

Amen 

Study by James Henderson