Verses 4-5 continue in giving us more introductory data concerning Revelation:

VI – REVELATION OF GOD ABOUT THE WRITER OF THIS BOOK OF PROPHECY – v.4a

Revelation 1:4a “John”

Apocalipsis 1:4a "Si Juan" FILIPINO VERSION

God reveals the writer of the book of Revelation.

Notice the beginning of verse 4 “John to the seven Churches.” The apostle begins this much in the manner of the Jewish prophets. Jewish often name themselves in the messages which they receive from God to deliver to the people; some of those are:

Isaiah 1:4 "The vision of ISAIAH, the son of Amoz, which he saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem."

Jeremiah 1:1-2 "The words of JEREMIAH, the son of Hilkiah…²To whom the word of the Lord came."

Ezekiel 1:3 "The word of the Lord came expressly unto EZEKIEL, the priest."

Hosea 1:1 "The word of the Lord that came unto HOSEA, the son of Beeri."

Joel 1:1"The word of the Lord that came to JOEL."

Amos 1:1"The words of AMOS, who was among the herdsmen of Tekoa."

Obadiah 1:1 "The vision of OBADIAH; thus saith the Lord God."

Jonah 1:1"The word of the Lord came unto JONAH."

So, in our text, Revelation 1:1"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which… he sent and signified… unto his servant JOHN."

The Apostle John was the one used by God to write the book of Revelation. John was the sole survivor and the representative of the apostles and eye witnesses of the Lord at the time John wrote the book of Revelation. One reason why God had specifically kept John alive, when all other apostles were dead, was for the purpose of writing Revelation. God sovereignly kept John alive so that John could write the final book of the Bible, the book of Revelation.

John needed no designation that his name to be recognized. John was highly regarded by all, and was the last living apostle, so when he writes the book of Revelation, he simply identifies himself as “John”. The writing of the book of Revelation will be different from other writings of John, although the style was different, John wanted the people to realize that it was the same apostle John writing it, that is one reason why John name himself “John”.

All the churches knew John, and John was very familiar with the seven churches to which John wrote. John spent the last years of his life in this province of Asia, which was in the western part of modern-day turkey. In the late sixties of the first century A.D., John left Jerusalem and went to Asia where John became the recognized leader of the churches in Asia.

When penning the book of Revelation, all John needed to say was “John” because he was so respected as John had been the pastor of the church in Ephesus. There were times in the life and ministry of John when he identified himself, not just as “an elder,” but “the elder” (II John 1 “The elder unto the elect lady and her children”; III John 1 “The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius”;). John was one of the “pillars” of the church according to Paul (Galatians 2:9 “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars,”).

In this book of Revelation, twelve times the Apostle John is told to “write” because of the importance God puts on His written Word. (Revelation 1:11, 19; Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18; Revelation 3:1, 7, 14; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 21:5).

We assume, that God demands a careful study of the written Word of God in the church because this book of prophecy is addressed to churches. Therefore, a church cannot possibly be a church that pleases God and obviously will miss out many blessings of God if a church neglects to carefully teach the written Scriptures.

VII – REVELATION OF GOD ABOUT THE RECIPIENTS OF THIS BOOK OF PROPHECY – v.4b

Revelation 1:4b “to the seven churches which are in Asia”

Apocalipsis 1:4b “sa pitong iglesya na nasa Asia:” FILIPINO VERSION

God reveals the recipients of the book of Revelation.

It is clear that this book of Revelation was written “to the seven churches that are Asia.” In the Greek text, this statement is very much emphasized which means God expects us to see and understand this point.

The place “Asia” mentioned here is not the continent of Asia that we know today, which takes in the entire northeastern portion of the world, from the Pacific Ocean west all the way to Europe and Africa and includes some 48 nations like China, India, Japan, Korea; south Asia like Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, just to name a few.

The Asia to which John refers was the Roman province that existed in the first century. It is the province of Asia (Acts 2:9; Acts 16:6), which was under a Roman proconsul, and embraced the western portion of Asia Minor.

This territory was located northeast of the Mediterranean Sea; today it is known as modern day Turkey which is partially in Europe and partially in Asia. Asia Minor (as the country was called to distinguish it from the continent of Asia), or Anatolia, is the name given to the peninsula which reaches out between the Black Sea on the North and the Mediterranean on the South, forming an elevated land-bridge between central Asia and southeastern Europe.

The Asia here mentioned was what is called Asia Minor, or the Lydian or Proconsular Asia the seven Churches were those of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. There had been several other churches planted in that region, but seven expresses totality and seems were now the most eminent. These seven represent the universal Church of all times and places. John had laboured most on these seven churches during his abode in Asia. We are not to suppose that they were the only Christian Churches then in Asia Minor; there were several others then in Phrygia, Pamphylia, Galatia, Pontus, Cappadocia, Pisidia, Lycaonia, Cilicia, Bithynia, Mysia, etc. But these seven churches were those which lay nearest to the apostle, and were more particularly under his care though the message was sent to the Churches in general, and perhaps it concerns the whole Christian world. But the number seven may be used here as the number of perfections as the Hebrews use the seven names of the heavens, the seven names of the earth, the seven patriarchs, seven suns, seven kinds, seven years, seven months, seven days, in which the rabbis find a great variety of mysteries.

The Apostle Paul accomplished the work of taking the Gospel to Asia and establishing churches. On Paul’s missionary journey, he extensively ministered in Asia and he was so intent on communicating the Word of God that “all” had heard the Gospel (Acts 19:10 “And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.”). The Greek text construction indicates that all kinds of people heard the Word of God, no every single individual have not heard.

In early days the Apostle John had a ministry that was primarily aimed at Jewish people out of Jerusalem (Galatians 2:9 “And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”). But now, John is writing this Revelation the final book of the Bible for those who are primarily Gentile people. This is significant. Logically, the apostle candidate to write a book of prophecy for Gentile churches would have been Paul, but the choice of God was John.

During this time in his life, John was respected by all of these Asian churches, and John had obviously expanded his theology from a Jewish focus to a Gentile focus. John was chosen by God to write this final book of the bible, the book of Revelation. God gives His assignments to His choice, not our choice.

By this time God’s program primarily focused on Gentile churches and even apostles who had previously been focused on Israel were now zeroed in on the church.

The church is precisely the recipients of this writing, so this book of Revelation is to be taught and understood in the church.

The recipients of this prophetic book have been specifically narrowed down to seven churches. So, the question is why seven? Why not six or fifteen? Why did the apostle John addressed to these seven churches which are all specifically listed in verse 11? Revelation 1:11 “the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.”

Possibly John is writing to an exclusive and exact number of seven churches, but that is not what John is doing which is not biblical and not logical. In the entire Bible and in the book of Revelation, the number seven is a very important number.

Fifty references to sevens in Revelation (not a mere coincidence).

1) Seven churches – Revelation 1:4, 11, 20

2) Seven Spirits – Revelation1:4; Revelation 3:1; Revelation 4:5; Revelation 5:6

3) Seven golden lampstands – Revelation 1:12, 13, 20; Revelation 2:1; Revelation 4:5

4) Seven stars – Revelation 1:16, 20; Revelation 2:1; Revelation 3:1

5) Seven seals – Revelation 5:1, 5; Revelation 8:1

6) Seven horns – Revelation 5:6

7) Seven angels – Revelation 8:2, 6; Revelation 15:1, 6, 7, 8; Revelation 16:1; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 21:9

8) Seven trumpets – Revelation 8:2, 6

9) Seven thunders – Revelation 10:3, 4

10) Seven diadems – Revelation 12:3

11) Seven heads – Revelation 12:3; Revelation 13:1; Revelation 17:3, 7, 9

12) Seven last plagues – Revelation 15:1, 6, 8; Revelation 21:9

13) Seven bowl judgments – Revelation 15:7; Revelation 16:1; Revelation 17:1; Revelation 21:9

14) Seven mountains – Revelation 17:9

15) Seven kings – Revelation 17:10

16) Seven specific promised blessings – Revelation 1:3; Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:14

By this biblical record, it is very clear that the number seven is more than an exclusive and exact number, and when we track this number seven through the Scripture, we may observe in the first book of the Bible, in Genesis, that the number seven represents the completed work of God.

Number seven is an important number of completion:

1. It was true in the matter of God’s creation (Genesis 2:2); God completed His work by the seventh day. It was true in the matter of God’s judgment (Genesis 7:1-4); seven more days would bring the time to completion for judgment.

2. Later, Joseph led Egypt through seven years of plenty and seven years of famine, which again represented what God would completely do in regard to God’s program with Israel (Genesis 41:14-37).

3. We can see in the Old Testament that Jericho was circled seven times which was the completed number that God demands.

4. Seven times, Naaman the leper dipped himself in the Jordan which was the completed number for healing.

5. When Paul writes his letters to churches, Paul writes to seven churches (Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians). Then when we come to this book of Revelation, it becomes quite clear that this number seven is a key Biblical number of completions.

Therefore, the seven churches of Revelation represent the entire and completed work of God in the Christian Church Age of Grace that is why they are selected by God. Not only these seven literal churches faced literal problems and pressures, but also these seven churches represent the entire scope of the problems and pressures of the completed Church Age.

Each church of the seven churches must be viewed from four different perspectives:

(Since they represent the complete work of God for the entire church age)

1. The point of view that each church was a literal, historical church with literal, historical problems.

2. The point of view that each church will be a type of church found in any period of time in the Church Age.

3. The point of view that each church will be a part of the time picture of the completion of the entire Church Age.

4. The point of view that each church will be a picture of individuals who comprise and complete any church.

These seven churches in Revelation will represent the entire and complete work of God in the Church Age that started in Acts 2 during Pentecost and will end at the Rapture.

VIII – REVELATION OF GOD ABOUT THE INTRODUCTORY GREETINGS OF THIS BOOK OF PROPHECY – v. 4c

Revelation 1:4c “Grace be unto you, and peace,”

Apocalipsis 1:4c “Biyaya ang sumainyo at kapayapaang” FILIPINO VERSION

The words “grace” and “peace” as introductory greetings is typical or usual form of an opening salutation in addressing a church (Romans 1:7 “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”). Three apostles, Peter, Paul, and John, adopt the same salutation. Not only this is a kind of Christian fellowship between them, but its adoption by John, after Paul who had first used it, therefore, Apocalypse cannot be regarded as an anti-Pauline treatise.

When Paul is writing to a Christian church, his greeting is “Grace be unto you, and peace.” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; and Philemon 1:3). You have probably noticed that, when Paul is writing to a minister individually, his greeting is, “Grace, mercy, and peace;(I Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; II John 1:3)” for they who have the solemn charge of souls need mercy above all other men. May the ministers find mercy of God in that day!

The three prepositional phrases “from him which is, and which was, and which is to come;” that follow the greetings “Grace be unto you, and peace” is not so typical.

Now, these two nouns “grace” and “peace” are not critical because these two guarantee that no believer will ever experience the wrath of God, even this is the last book of the Bible and much of it will have to do with the wrath of God. It does not mean that the people in these seven churches did not deserve the wrath of God, but it was that grace of God has saved these believers from the wrath of God.

There can be no true peace, where there is not true grace; and where grace goeth before, peace will follow. Greetings to the churches is simply double benediction, “Grace be unto you, and peace.” These blessings, coming in their proper order, grace first, and peace afterwards, are very precious. That peace which is not founded upon grace, and does not follow grace, is a false peace (John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”). But if you have grace, peace ought to follow; you have a right to it, it is a logical sequence to the possession of the grace of God.

What is grace? Grace is the undeserved, unearned, unmerited favor that God freely gives to a mentally and morally bankrupt sinner when He saves him the moment the person truly repented from his sins and believes on Jesus Christ as his Savior (Titus 2:11; Ephesians 2:8-9).

What is peace? Peace is the positional and personal tranquility of a person in a moment he knew that he is longer an enemy of God but reconciled to God by Christ’s blood and now forever in a right relationship with God (Romans 5:1).

We as true believers of God who experienced God’s grace of salvation, the book of Revelation is no threat to us, and we do not need to fear as we study this book of prophecy because we have the peace of God in our hearts.

 - - - - - To be continued - - - - -

IV – REVELATION OF GOD ON THE SOURCE OF THE GRACE AND PEACE OF THE BELIEVER IN THIS BOOK OF PROPHECY – v.4d-8

The grace of God that saved believers and brought them into a peaceful relationship with God is solely and totally the sovereign work of God, which was totally and completely emphasized by the prepositional phrases that follows. The relationship that any person has with God is due to the work of the entire Godhead, the entire Trinity.

The three Divine originating sources of the grace and peace that God gives which begins with the prepositional phrases. This preposition “from” has to do with both motion and origin. Grace and peace originate from God and comes as a result of a motion or movement from God. God is the source of grace and peace.

A. God the Father is the source of grace and peace – v.4d

Revelation 1:4d “from him which is, and which was, and which is to come;"

Apocalipsis 1:4d “mula sa kanya na siyang ngayon, ang nakaraan at ang darating;” FILIPINO VERSION

This phraseology is purely Jewish, which means from Him who is everlasting and probably taken from the Tetragrammaton, a wonderful translation of the great name JEHOVAH which is supposed to include in itself all time, past, present, and future. The Father is first named; He is described as the Jehovah who is, and who was, and who is to come, eternal, unchangeable. HE WAS, and HE IS, and HE WILL BE. He was of old, He is now, He cometh; that is will be forever. No expression could more strikingly denote eternity than this. He now exists; He has existed in the past; He will exist in the future. There is an evident allusion here to the name Yahweh (H3068), the self-existing, unchangeable, the name by which the true God is appropriately designated in the Scriptures. John referred to Him here as Being Himself the Eternal and uncreated existence, and as the Great and original fountain of all being. The Holy blessed God said to Moses, tell them: “I WAS, I NOW AM, and I WILL BE IN FUTURE." (Exodus 3:14 “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”).

The text says that grace and peace is “from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come,” in Greek erchomenos (G2064), this is a reference to the God the Father. By the fact that the second prepositional phrase connects us to the Spirit and the third prepositional phrase connects us to Jesus Christ, so this phrase has reference to God the Father. The description given here in this text concerning God the Father is certainly refers to the Father’s eternality. Any Being “which is, and which was, and which is to come” is unlimited in time, and has moved within time and will move in future time. God is the God of the past, the God of the present and the God of the future. God the Father moved within the time frame of your life as believer in Jesus Christ and gave you His grace and peace.

Jesus said in John 6:44 “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” God the Father controlled every bit of time of much in the prophetic and futuristic in the book of revelation. Notice also, it is stated that God “is to come.” Only those who have experienced His grace and peace will be safe when God comes and God judges.

B. God the Spirit is the source of grace and peace - v.4e

Revelation 1:4e “and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

Apocalipsis 1:4e “at mula sa pitong espiritu na nasa harapan ng kanyang trono; FILIPINO VERSION

The second source of our grace and peace is a Divine Being identified as being “the seven Spirits who are before His throne.” Specifically, who are these Spirits and to what does this refer.

Three proposals identity of the Seven Spirits:

1. Seven special spirit beings located at the throne of God

2. Seven different angels of God’s throne; perhaps seven angels of seven churches

3. The Holy Spirit, the third member of the Trinity

Eight observations for our conclusion:

1. The direction of the context agrees to the list of Trinity, reference to God the Father (Revelation 1:4) and God the Son (Revelation 1:5), therefore this refers to God the Spirit.

2. God is always the source of “grace” and “peace,” and never angels.

We see the three prepositional “from” phrases concerning the source of grace and peace. Angels are never in a position to grant grace and peace to sinners. Angels is never place alongside with God the Father and God the Son in a role of granting grace and peace.

3. Seven angels are called specifically seven created angels and not called seven spirits in Revelation (Revelation 8:2).

When all the angels stand up, while the four living creatures, and the four and twenty elders, worship him that sitteth upon the throne, and the Lamb (Revelation 7:10 –11), the seven Spirits neither stand up nor worship.

4. The article “the” before the noun “Spirits” indicating that God wants this specifically identified as a Being operating before His throne.

5. The number seven was a sacred number in the Jewish church. But, sometimes it is to be taken figuratively, to represents completeness or perfection.

6. The Spirit being has an important ministry to people (Revelation 1:4); has an important ministry to God’s actual throne (Revelation 4:5) has an important ministry to Jesus Christ and His sacrificial work on earth (Revelation 5:6).

7. The Spirit of God has the primary responsibility for carrying on God’s gracious work on earth according to other writings of Apostle John (John 16:7-15).

8. In the Old Testament it was revealed that there is sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit connected to Jesus Christ reigning on this earth (Isaiah 11:2) – wisdom, understanding, counsel, strength, knowledge, fear of the LORD, judgment.

Isaiah 11:2 “And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;”

In the New Testament it was revealed that there is sevenfold ministry of the Holy Spirit connected to individuals – conviction, restraint, regeneration, baptism, indwelling, sealing, filling.

We now therefore conclude that “the seven Spirits” is identified as a reference to the Holy Spirit. The word “Spirits” in Greek [πνεύματων (pneumatōn G4151)]. The Holy Spirit is called the seven spirits, the perfect Spirit of God, in whom there is a diversity of gifts and operations. The Spirits are before the throne. Literally, in the presence of. This reference to the throne of authority as described. The Holy Spirit who pleads with men is the Spirit from God’s Throne. But the question, is why is the Holy Spirit referred to as the seven Spirits in Revelation?

Possibilities why the Holy Spirit referred as the seven Spirits?

1. The Holy Spirit is operative in the church, until the completion all through the Church Age, and seven is the number of churches in Revelation.

2. The Holy Spirit will have a sevenfold ministry when Jesus Christ reigns on earth (Isaiah 11:2).

3. The Holy Spirit has a sevenfold New Testament ministry which refers to the complete work of the Spirit of God in the church Age. The Holy Spirit in His sevenfold (perfect and universal) energy. Corresponding to "the seven churches."

4. The Holy Spirit’s work in the world was emphasized by the eyes of the Lord ranging all over the world seeing everything which refer to the seven lamps in Zechariah 4:2, which correspond to Revelation 4:5.

The seven spirits and the seven eyes of the Lord are one in purpose and design.

Seven Eyes of the Lord:

Zechariah 3:9 – “For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.”

Zechariah 4:10 – “For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.”

Zechariah 4:2 “And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof:”

The seven eyes of the Lord are the seven Spirits of the Lord, each representative of what Christ is to the believer

Revelation 5:6 “a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.”

Revelation 1:4 “John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne”

Revelation 3:1 “These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

Revelation 4:5 “there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.”

All these possibilities conclude that the Holy Spirit was intimately involved in bringing grace and peace to every believer.

C. God the Son is the source of grace and peace – v.5

God the Son is mentioned third although typically when the trinity is listed, God the Son is listed second in position to God the Father and God the Spirit is third. John wants to develop many descriptions about Jesus Christ, that is why God the Son is mentioned here third.

We get a remarkable glimpse of Jesus Christ in these next verses, including some descriptions that He gives of Himself in verse 5.

Before examining these three descriptions of Jesus Christ, it is important to consider that this is the final time in Revelation when God the Son is referred to as “Jesus Christ.” This is reference to the fact that God the Son is the Savior/Messiah in that order. From this point on, the writer John will use the name Jesus 11 more times (Revelation 1:9, 9; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12; Revelation 17:6; Revelation 19:10, 10; Revelation 20:4; Revelation 22:16, 20, 21). Except the final two verses 20, 21 of Revelation, Jesus alone is the Savior is the emphasis of the name Jesus. Jesus is the only Person that can save man from the wrath of God. Jesus is the source of grace that saves man and Jesus gives man peace with God.

Three description of Jesus Christ to Himself in verse 5:

A. The Description that Jesus Christ is "the faithful witness" - v.5a

Revelation 1:5a “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness”

Apocalipsis 1:5a “at mula kay Jesu-Cristo na siyang saksing tapat” FILIPINO VERSION

The words “the faithful witness” is very emphatic grammatical construction.

It is God’s own faithful witness of God himself not any faithful witness is being discussed here.

Jesus Christ is the perfect witness and perfect testimony of God concerning everything. Everything Jesus Christ is, does and says is the faithful testimony and witness of God and legally true. Jesus Christ was the faithful Witness of the whole will of God before his death, and faithful in His in death, and remain faithful in glory.

The Lord Jesus Christ was from eternity, a Witness to all the counsels of God.

The word “witness” refers to a legal testimony or witness.

Jesus Christ will assess every church and everything that Jesus will reveal is an amazing future and is an absolutely faithful and true testimony of God in this book of Revelation.

Notice again that there are two specific things come from God’s own faithful witness and are certainly true in verse 5 “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood”.

Jesus Christ continually loves us

Jesus Christ released us from our sins by His blood.

B. The Description that Jesus Christ is "the firstborn of the dead" - v.5b

Revelation 1:5b “and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.”

Apocalipsis 1:5b “ang panganay mula sa mga patay, at ang pinuno ng mga hari sa lupa.” FILIPINO VERSION

Jesus Christ was the first to be raised in resurrected life never to die again. Christ resurrection is our guarantee that the same will happen to us (I Corinthians 15:20-23).

Jesus Christ rose from the dead, as the first-fruits of them that slept; and now hath all power both in heaven and earth.

Jesus Christ is the First-born from the dead, who will by his own power raise up his people.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ, is the proof that the five resurrections will occur.

1) The resurrection of Church Age saints who have died at the Rapture – I Thessalonians 4:16

2) The resurrection of God’s two prophets during the Tribulation – Revelation 11:11-12

3) The resurrection of martyred saints after the Tribulation – Revelation 20:4

4) The resurrection of O.T. saints after the Tribulation before the Millennium – Daniel 12:2

5) The resurrection of all unbelievers after the Millennium at the Great White Throne – Revelation 20:12

C. The Description that Jesus Christ is “the ruler of the kings of the earth” – v.5c

Revelation 1:5c “and the prince of the kings of the earth.”

Apocalipsis 1:5c “at ang pinuno ng mga hari sa lupa.” FILIPINO VERSION

And this double blessing “Grace and peace” must come from a realization of the Lord Jesus Christ in His glorious character as the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Never forget, dear friends, that even today Christ is the Prince of the kings of the earth. The Queen reigns, and the Czar reigns; but it is still more true that “The Lord reigneth.” There is One who is higher than the highest of all earthly kings, even “the Prince of the kings of the earth.”

Jesus Christ is the Prince of the kings of the earth; by Him their counsels are overruled, and to Him they are accountable.

The word “prince” translated “ruler” in ESV, NASB.

Jesus Christ has all authority over every leader in the world whether political leader or religious leader because Jesus Christ is the sovereign ruler. So, the key theme of Revelation is that Christ rules and reigns (Revelation 11:15; Revelation 17:24; Revelation 18:16).

This phrase, “the kings of the earth,” signifies their power and multitude, and also the nature of their kingdom. It became the Divine Majesty to call them kings with a limitation; especially in this manifesto from His heavenly kingdom. For no creature, much less a sinful man, can bear the title of king in an absolute sense, before the eyes of God.

Throughout all of the book of Revelation, it is Jesus Christ who is the ruler and the King of Kings and will take over everything, it is not Satan or man who will rule. It is clearly revealed in Scripture that one day “every” knee shall bow to Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ¹⁰That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; ¹¹And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”).