by Magdalena Kessy | 21 June 2021 08:46 am06
In Revelation 1:5, it states, “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.”
This phrase highlights that Jesus is not only the firstborn of the dead, but He is also the preeminent one who has triumphed over death and holds authority over all creation. Theologically, this underscores the fact that Jesus is the first to be resurrected with a glorified body, never to die again, and because of this, He stands as the firstfruit of the resurrection, signaling the resurrection of all believers.
Why is He also the firstborn of the living?
Jesus is also described as the firstborn of the living (Colossians 1:18), meaning He is the firstborn of all those who have eternal life.
In John 3:6, Jesus says, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.”
Theologically, this suggests that all humanity, due to original sin, is spiritually dead, but through the new birth by the Holy Spirit, they are made spiritually alive in Christ.
Jesus is the firstborn of the living in the sense that He was the first to receive a resurrected, immortal life in His glorified body. When He was resurrected from the dead, He was the first to possess this eternal life that will be fully realized in all believers when they are resurrected at the end of the age. This eternal life is not just a return to life, but a transformation into a glorified state, never to die again. We see this in 1 Corinthians 15:20-23:
“But 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 comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”
And why is He also the firstborn of the dead?
Before understanding why Jesus is the firstborn of the dead, we must understand the theological concept of “death” in Scripture. In the Bible, death is not just a physical event but also a spiritual separation from God due to sin (Romans 6:23). Jesus, through His death and resurrection, dealt with both the physical and spiritual aspects of death, bringing life to all who believe in Him.
In Colossians 1:18, it says,
“He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.”
Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was not merely a return to life like Lazarus or others in Scripture, but it marked the beginning of a new kind of life: eternal, glorified life.
Although Lazarus, Elijah, and Elisha raised people from the dead, those individuals were revived in their earthly bodies, and eventually, they died again. But Jesus’ resurrection was different because He rose in a glorified body that will never die again (Romans 6:9). This marks Him as the firstborn from the dead, the first to experience the fullness of resurrection life, and the guarantee of our future resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).
This is why the Bible says:
Colossians 1:17-20: “He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.”
These verses affirm that Jesus is supreme in all things, including over death itself. His resurrection is not only a victory for Him but also a victory that ensures the future resurrection of believers.
John 1:5: “From Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood.”
This verse highlights Jesus’ authority and His role as the redeemer of mankind. His resurrection from the dead makes Him the firstborn of the new creation those who are redeemed through His blood.
In conclusion, Jesus is the firstborn of everything (He is the Alpha and the Omega), and the firstborn is always the heir.
As the firstborn, Jesus has the preeminence and authority over all creation. Theologically, the firstborn is the one who receives the inheritance, and in Jesus’ case, He has inherited authority over all things, including death and life.
We, who are born again through the Spirit, are counted as His brothers and sisters, co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:29). He is the firstborn, and we, as believers, are the “younger siblings” who follow in His resurrection and inheritance. This means that through faith in Him and His finished work, we also receive eternal life and the promise of resurrection.
But if we are not born again, we cannot be heirs. This highlights the necessity of spiritual rebirth.
How are we born again?
The Bible teaches that we are born again by believing in Jesus Christ as the firstborn of all things. Jesus Himself made it clear in John 3:3-5:
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
He goes on to explain to Nicodemus that this new birth is through water and the Spirit (John 3:5). Baptism by water and receiving the Holy Spirit are essential components of being born again (Acts 2:38).
Steps to being born again:
Growth after being born again:
Being born again is just the beginning. We are called to grow spiritually by seeking God continually (Philippians 3:12-14). The more we pursue God, the more we grow in the knowledge of Him and mature in our faith, ultimately becoming more like Christ, reaching the fullness of His purpose for us (Ephesians 4:13).
I hope this more detailed, theologically-rich explanation with Bible verses helps you grasp the depth of this topic. May you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!
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