Revelation (Gk apokalupsis) means to unveil or uncover. It implies the lifting up of a curtain, so all alike can see what is uncovered. When used of writing, it means to reveal or make clear (Eph 3:3; Gal 1:12). When used of a person, it denotes visible presence (Rev 1:1; 2 Thes 1:7; 1 Pet 1:7, 13). Here, it refers to both the book and the person of Christ.
Scattered among vivid images of the book of Revelation is a large collection of names for Jesus. Each one tells something of His character and highlights a particular aspect of His role within God’s plan of redemption. The book of Revelation is primarily to reveal Christ. The descriptive names of Jesus in the book of Revelation merit further analysis. Most of them are not new names, as they have been used for God/Jesus in both the OT and the NT. However, these names shall be further explored for the following reasons:
To show that resurrected Christ is “the One who lives” and is being revealed in Revelation.
To show that Jesus is the “God” revealed in the first verse of the Bible (Gen 1:1) and the “Amen” found in the last verse of the Bible.
Some of these names, e.g. “Lamb” now take centre stage in the book of Revelation. Because this book leads us to the culmination of the history of mankind and this world, the full meaning and significance of these names are revealed.
To show that resurrected Christ is still “working” (Jn 5:17)
The Names and description of Jesus in the book of Revelation
Faithful Witness (1:5);
(2) First born from the dead (1:5);
(3) Ruler of the kings (1:5);
(4) Alpha and the Omega (1:8); (5) Lord (1:8);
(6) Almighty (1:8);
(7) Son of Man (1:13);
(8) The First and the Last (1:17); (9) He who lives (1:18); (10) Son of God (2:18);
(11) Faithful and True Witness (3:14);
(12) The Amen (3:14);
(13) The Beginning of creation of God (3:14);
(14) Holy, holy, holy, “Lord God Almighty” (4:8);
(15) “God” (4:8);
(16) Creator (4:11);
(17) Lion of the tribe of Judah (5:5); (18) Root of David (5:5); (19) Lamb (5:6); (20) Shepherd (7:17);
(21) Christ (12:10);
(22) Faithful and True (19:11); (23) The Word of God (19:13); (24) King of kings (19:16); (25) Lord of lords (19:16);
(26) The Bright and Morning Star (22:16)Faithful Witness” (Rev 1:5)“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.” (Rev 1:5)
“Faithful” denotes trustworthy or dependable. Faithful (Gk pistis), i.e., firm and unswerving loyalty to a person to whom one is united by promise, commitment, trust and honesty (Mat 23:23; Rom 3:3; 1 Tim 6:12; 4:7; Titus 2:10)
God/Jesus is faithful (Ex 34:6; Deut 7:9; Is 49:7; Lam 3:23; Heb 10:33); God will do what He has revealed in His Word, carrying out both His promises and His warnings (Num 14:32-35; 2 Sam 7:28; Job 34:12; Acts 13:23,32-33; see 2 Tim 2:13, note below). God’s faithfulness should bring unspeakable comfort to believers and great fear of judgment to all who do not repent and believe in the Lord Jesus (Heb 6:4-8; 10:26-31). See Ps 141:1; Zec 8:8 “Faithful and righteous.” Judah’s restoration to covenant favour and blessing rests on the faithfulness (dependability) and righteousness of God. Faithful to his promise to forgive (see Jer 31:34; Mic 7:18-20; Heb 10:22-23).
By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide
Scattered among vivid images of the book of Revelation is a large collection of names for Jesus. Each one tells something of His character and highlights a particular aspect of His role within God’s plan of redemption. The book of Revelation is primarily to reveal Christ. The descriptive names of Jesus in the book of Revelation merit further analysis. Most of them are not new names, as they have been used for God/Jesus in both the OT and the NT. However, these names shall be further explored for the following reasons:
To show that resurrected Christ is “the One who lives” and is being revealed in Revelation.
To show that Jesus is the “God” revealed in the first verse of the Bible (Gen 1:1) and the “Amen” found in the last verse of the Bible.
Some of these names, e.g. “Lamb” now take centre stage in the book of Revelation. Because this book leads us to the culmination of the history of mankind and this world, the full meaning and significance of these names are revealed.
To show that resurrected Christ is still “working” (Jn 5:17)
The Names and description of Jesus in the book of Revelation
Faithful Witness (1:5);
(2) First born from the dead (1:5);
(3) Ruler of the kings (1:5);
(4) Alpha and the Omega (1:8); (5) Lord (1:8);
(6) Almighty (1:8);
(7) Son of Man (1:13);
(8) The First and the Last (1:17); (9) He who lives (1:18); (10) Son of God (2:18);
(11) Faithful and True Witness (3:14);
(12) The Amen (3:14);
(13) The Beginning of creation of God (3:14);
(14) Holy, holy, holy, “Lord God Almighty” (4:8);
(15) “God” (4:8);
(16) Creator (4:11);
(17) Lion of the tribe of Judah (5:5); (18) Root of David (5:5); (19) Lamb (5:6); (20) Shepherd (7:17);
(21) Christ (12:10);
(22) Faithful and True (19:11); (23) The Word of God (19:13); (24) King of kings (19:16); (25) Lord of lords (19:16);
(26) The Bright and Morning Star (22:16)Faithful Witness” (Rev 1:5)“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.” (Rev 1:5)
“Faithful” denotes trustworthy or dependable. Faithful (Gk pistis), i.e., firm and unswerving loyalty to a person to whom one is united by promise, commitment, trust and honesty (Mat 23:23; Rom 3:3; 1 Tim 6:12; 4:7; Titus 2:10)
God/Jesus is faithful (Ex 34:6; Deut 7:9; Is 49:7; Lam 3:23; Heb 10:33); God will do what He has revealed in His Word, carrying out both His promises and His warnings (Num 14:32-35; 2 Sam 7:28; Job 34:12; Acts 13:23,32-33; see 2 Tim 2:13, note below). God’s faithfulness should bring unspeakable comfort to believers and great fear of judgment to all who do not repent and believe in the Lord Jesus (Heb 6:4-8; 10:26-31). See Ps 141:1; Zec 8:8 “Faithful and righteous.” Judah’s restoration to covenant favour and blessing rests on the faithfulness (dependability) and righteousness of God. Faithful to his promise to forgive (see Jer 31:34; Mic 7:18-20; Heb 10:22-23).
By Emeritus Prof. Mercy Olumide
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