Doxology: Giving Praise to Jesus

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  • Date: Sunday, November 24, 2019
  • Speaker: Matthew Breeden
  • Series: Doxology
  • Category: Revelation
  • Scripture: Revelation 1:5–7

Introduction

While the book of Revelation is often neglected or written off as hard to understand the reality is that it is a book of incredible hope. Yes, there are parts of Revelation that raise questions, but the big idea is clear: God is in control and through Jesus God will save His people. God will defeat all of His enemies and Jesus will reign forever as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The book of Revelation is a book of great hope and it is a Jesus-centric book. Throughout the book we see the exaltation of Jesus and we are pointed toward His return, His final victory and His eternal reign. And with the persisting emphasis on Jesus it makes sense that John would include in the introduction a hymn of praise (a doxology) to Jesus. 

The Original Audience

What’s clear from the opening is that Revelation is penned by a persecuted saint who is writing to others who are facing persecution. This context should help us understand the hope of the book. As people living in a world that is opposed to God we can cling to this: He is faithful, He will save His people and He will reign over all.

Grace and Peace from the Triune God

The expression of ‘grace and peace’ is standard for letters of this period, but John does not use this greeting flippantly. In fact he adds weight to it by connecting it to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Grace and peace are being extended from the Triune God to these suffering saints.

The Preface to the Doxology: A Description of Jesus (1:5a)

While the doxology doesn’t officially begin until the middle of verse 5, John begins speaking of Jesus prior to his hymn of praise through a threefold description.

  • Jesus is the Faithful Witness (Prophet) – This description of Jesus points us back to the incarnation. Jesus came into the world as the revelation of God. Both through His life and His message He was a faithful and true witness (even to the point of death) (John 1:1, 14, 18).
  • Jesus is the Firstborn from the Dead (Priest) – This is a reminder of the preeminence of Christ’s resurrection. Because He has been raised we can have the hope of resurrection. Because He lives beyond the grave we can have life beyond the grave (1 Corinthians 15:19-23).
  • Jesus is the Ruler of the Kings of Earth (King) – A primary theme in Revelation is that Jesus will reign as the King of kings. Because of His resurrection He has been exalted and is now reigning, but one day His rule will be visible to all and all will bow to Him (Psalm 2:6-8; Jeremiah 23:5; Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 19:14-16).

The Doxology Proper: Praise to Jesus, Our Savior (1:5a-6)

The doxology both describes Jesus and ascribes praise to Him for who He is and what He has done.

  • Praise to Jesus for His love for us – On the heels of the previous three descriptions we can understand how remarkable this is: We are loved by the resurrected and exalted King of kings (Romans 8:38-39).
  • Praise to Jesus who freed us from our sins –The greatest display of Christ’s love is His death on the cross through which we have been freed from the penalty and power of sin. While the blood of animals that was shed under the Old Covenant was unable to take away sins, the blood of Jesus is sufficient for our salvation (Hebrews 10:1-14).
  • Praise to Jesus who has made us a kingdom and priests– Through the work of Christ we are welcomed into the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:12-13). We are also made priests, which is to say we have access to the presence of God and we are called to worship Him through spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:4-10; Hebrews 13:15-16; Romans 12:1-2).
  • An ascription of glory and dominion – Much of Revelation is a description of the glory and rule of Jesus. It’s appropriate that John opens the book with this ascription of glory and dominion to Him.

The Epilogue to the Doxology: The Return of Jesus (1:7)

John concludes his doxology in verse 6 but his description of Christ and His work is not complete. He goes on to make it clear that Jesus will come again. At His coming all will see Him. For those who know Him this will be a time of great joy and celebration. For those who do not know Him it will be a time of weeping as they recognize the judgment to come (Acts 1:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:51-52; Revelation 22:20-21).