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and from Jesus Christ, the [a]faithful and trustworthy Witness, the [b]Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] [c]freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death)—(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 1:5 Lit the witness, the faithful.
  2. Revelation 1:5 Jesus was not the first person to be brought back to life, since He raised others from the dead (the most notable being Lazarus, John 11), but they had to experience death again. Jesus is the first to be restored to life with a glorified (immortal, everlasting) body, never again to die. The word Firstborn may point not only to Jesus’ own resurrection but also to His divine power to resurrect others. The Firstborn (preeminent) is given power over all things.
  3. Revelation 1:5 Some manuscripts use “freed” (lusanti) while others use “washed” (lousanti). Either reading conveys a similar theological conclusion: Jesus has taken away our sins by His blood.

Message to Laodicea

14 “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in [a]Laodicea write:

“These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the [b]Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:

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Footnotes

  1. Revelation 3:14 Laodicea, located beside the Lycus River, was a prosperous city about forty miles south of Philadelphia. It had a well-respected financial center, thriving textile production industry (specializing in black wool), and a leading medical school that produced a famous eye salve. Two other cities were in this general area: Colossae, known for its mountain spring of cold, fresh water; and Hierapolis, a site famous for its hot, therapeutic mineral springs.
  2. Revelation 3:14 I.e. Origin of Source.

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